Collin College was recently recognized by two organizations for its commitment to veterans.
The college was named to the “Best for Vets: Colleges” 2021 rankings by Military Times. This is the ninth time the college has earned this distinction.
In addition, Collin College received the gold-level status of the 2021 Veteran Education Excellence Recognition Award, a new award from the Texas Veterans Commission.
This spring 1,039 veterans and military-connected students enrolled in Collin College classes. Students like veteran Maria Lemus, who is taking prerequisites for dental school, frequently visit the Veterans Resource Centers (VRCs), which are designed to foster academic success and ensure that military-connected students have a smooth transition into college.
“The Veterans Resource Center is great,” said Lemus, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Science from the University of North Florida and served as a religious program specialist in the Navy from 2010-2017. “When I need somewhere to study, I go there because it is smaller than the library and usually has less people. The VRC has pretty much everything I need. I especially love the free printing in the center. It saves me a lot of time and money. I also think the priority registration is great for students who have classes that fill up quickly.”
This fall, the college held a Veterans Resource Fair with 22 organizations from the DFW area. This month, at all campuses throughout the district, Collin College is displaying more than 300 American flags in honor of students, faculty, and staff who are veterans. Also, students are writing letters of gratitude to deployed troops, veterans, and Wounded Heroes. During Veterans Week, the college held a variety of veterans events such as a slide show featuring military-connected students, staff, and faculty and a special showing of “Dunkirk” which included a veterans panel.
In addition, military-connected students took advantage of paracord bracelet workshops, résumé reviews, and financial aid workshops. These students also received commemorative challenge coins, t-shirts, and other goodies, as well as breakfast, lunch, and dinner options at various campuses.
For more information about the Military Times award, click here. For more information about the Texas Veterans Commission award, click here.