College of Charleston
Silver Grade
College of Charleston received its recognition July 13, 2024. The College of Charleston Office of Veteran and Military Student Services has an established and effective process for identifying their Veteran and Military-affiliated student population. The College also offers monthly Green Zone training. Green Zone Training provides faculty, staff, and students with an understanding of the military experience for Veteran students as they transition from the military to campus life. Green Zone assists military students in understanding what it means to be a student Veteran, dispel associated myths and stigmas with fact-based information, as well as provides on-and-off campus resources and support services for military-connected students.
The college website includes Veteran and Military-affiliated student specific information that address the admissions process, priority registration guidelines, military specific scholarships, how to apply for US DVA and other military benefits and contact information for staff members. College of Charleston has two active chartered programs, the Student Veterans Association Chapter and SALUTE Veteran National Honor Society. Both programs are Veteran student-led and are dedicated to helping Veterans/Military students make a successful adjustment from the military to college. Both chapters are instrumental in advising the college administrators, faculty, staff, and students regarding matters that affect Veterans and their families. The chapters are also dedicated to creating an atmosphere that encourages inclusion and to recommend policies that will improve access and opportunities for their student Veterans.
The College of Charleston also has Veteran Peer Advisors, where new Veteran/Military students are connected to a Veteran Peer Advisor in their first semester. Veteran peer advisors are experienced student Veterans who have been through adjustments from military service to college. Advisors link Veterans and Military-affiliated new students to campus resources, guide them through college processes, and provide one-on-one support during their transition to campus.
College of Charleston has met the following criteria to receive Silver Grade:
- The school has an active chartered Student Veterans Association Chapter or other Veteran support groups. Support groups may include Women and Minority Veterans.
- A system to evaluate and award academic credit based on military training and experience is in use by the school. (Increased the Military Credit limit to 66 Credits)
- The school has specific staff members dedicated to Veterans and Military-affiliated students (at a ratio of 1.250) and has dedicated military friendly contacts for Veteran students in every major department.
- Established and effective process for identifying Veterans and Military-affiliated students within the student population.
- School website has a Veteran and Military-affiliated student specific information that address admissions process, how to apply for US DVA and other military benefits, and contact information for staff members.
- A centralized location with Veterans Services, Veteran lounge, study space, computer lab reserved for Veterans and Military affiliated students.
- Monthly Green Zone Training: Green Zone Training provides faculty, staff, and students with an understanding of the military experience for Veteran students as they transition from the military to campus life.
- Veteran Peer Advisors: New Veteran/Military students are connected to a Veteran Peer Advisor in their first semester.
Clemson University
Silver Grade
Clemson University received its recognition on May 1, 2024. The Clemson’s Office of Military and Veteran Engagement has an established and effective process for identifying their Veteran and Military-affiliated student population. The University also offers monthly Green Zone raining. Green Zone Training provides faculty, staff, and students with an understanding of the military experience for Veteran students as they transition from the military to campus life. Green Zone assists military students in understanding what it means to be a student veteran, dispel associated myths and stigmas with fact-based information, as well as provides on-and-off campus resources and support services for military-connected students.
The school website includes Veteran and Military-affiliated student specific information that address the admissions process, priority registration guidelines, military specific scholarships, how to apply for US DVA and other military benefits and contact information for staff members. Clemson University has a Veterans Commission which advises the university administrators, faculty, staff, and students regarding matters that affect veterans and their families and to create an atmosphere that encourages inclusion and to recommend policies that will improve access and opportunities for their student veterans. Clemson University charted Student Veterans Association Chapter is widely recognized and has 76 active members, which is all located on their website.
Clemson’s Director of Military and Veterans Association (M&VE) is on the state task force for military mobility credit. They have also implemented a procedure for reviewing Joint Service Transcripts and similar military documents to grant academic credit after the first semester of attendance. Clemson currently have 1202 Veteran students and five full time staff members.
Clemson University is a member of the South Carolina Veteran Coalition. Clemson’s Center for Career and Professional Development Center offers students professional and career readiness that includes career workshops, on-campus interviewing, and experiential education opportunities to ensure meaningful employment after students earn their degree or certificate. The Michelin Career Center, part of the Center for Career and Professional Development, serves both students and employers by offering services of an on-line recruiting system, ClemsonJobLink for job postings, on-campus interviews, company information sessions, and career fairs. The Center also connects Military friendly employers to provide students with internships, apprenticeships, and scholarship opportunities.
Clemson has met the following criteria to receive the Silver Grade:
- The school has an active chartered Student Veterans Association Chapter or other Veteran support groups. Support groups may include Women and Minority Veterans.
- A system to evaluate and award academic credit based on military training and experience is in use by the school.
- The school has specific staff members dedicated to Veterans and Military-affiliated students (at a ratio of 1.250) and has dedicated military friendly contacts for Veteran students in every major department.
York Technical College
Silver Grade
York Technical College received its recognition on April 8, 2024. York Technical College has specific staff members dedicated to Veterans at a ratio of 1:57.6. York Technical College has a software system called Colleague which identifies Veterans and Military-affiliated students and uses the Guide to Evaluation of Education Experience in the Armed Services to award academic credit based on military training and experience. The college’s website includes Veteran and Military-affiliated student specific information that addresses admissions, financial aid, priority registration, and how to apply for educational benefits.
York Technical College also has the Freedom Lounge: Student Veteran and Military Center that provides all Veteran Services including VA Benefits and offers dedicated meeting and study space with adequate technical support for Veterans and Military-affiliated students. Inspired by a Veteran of their foundation, the college created the Veteran Affinity Group. The Veteran Affinity Group is a new initiative dedicated to bringing together alumni, current students, and staff who have served in the military. York Technical College sends out surveys each semester to administer a need assessment and collect feedback from students regarding their academic experience at the college. The college also offers internship opportunities for students.