(DALLAS) — As part of its commitment to serving the local community, Dallas College is enhancing its Military-Connected Services and veterans facilities while streamlining processes for former service members and their families to complete career training paths.
On Thursday, May 12, at 11 a.m., Dallas College will hold a color guard ceremony and official ribbon-cutting to celebrate a new Veterans Service Center at Brookhaven Campus. “Seeing the Brookhaven Veterans Center come to fruition is so marvelous!” said Dr. Shirley Higgs, executive director, Military Compliance Services.
“Our new space at Brookhaven has been designed to feel similar to the military dayrooms that our student veterans are familiar with from their service. We provide study space alongside recreation space, where veterans can connect with one another,” said Sheniqua Austin and Martell Williams, program leads for Military-Connected Services. “We’re excited to help our veterans transition to college and pursue their educational goals.”
Dr. Linda Braddy, Brookhaven Campus president, speaks at the Veterans Service Center ribbon-cutting.
The space, co-sponsored by the Carrolton-Farmers Branch Rotary Club, includes study and social areas, as well as video gaming equipment and a kitchen. It is open to military-connected students, as well as their spouses or dependents.
“Veterans services has been our focus for many years, since 1960,” said Bill Bexley, treasurer of the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Rotary Club, which donated more than $7,000 to make center upgrades possible. “Dallas College Brookhaven Campus is a great place where veteran students can come together to share their stories and fellowship, so funding the enhancements to the new center was a no-brainer for us.”
“The veteran students who walk through our halls every day have sacrificed so much for our country. These students deserve a special place at Brookhaven where they can gather with friends to study, eat and just hang out. I appreciate the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Rotary Club helping us make this center a reality for our veteran students,” said Dr. Linda Braddy, president, Brookhaven Campus. “I hope this space demonstrates our appreciation for their military service and supports their success at Brookhaven as they prepare for the next phase of their lives.”
New Tool Assesses Military Training Credit
Earlier this year, Dallas College launched a Military Transfer Credits (MTC) tool that allows veterans to quickly input their military training and see how it can be applied to classes, certificates and degree programs at Dallas College. MTC works with veterans’ Joint Services Transcripts (JST) or American Council on Education (ACE) transcripts. A veteran can explore possible pathways and print their results to bring when they speak to an advisor.
Each Dallas College campus has its own Military-Connected Services Office, where veterans can meet face to face with staff to strategize an academic and career plan. The offices also assist with job placement once veterans have completed their program. To find out more, veterans and dependents can email: DCveterans@dcccd.edu.
Veteran Students Honored at Awards Ceremony
Michael Rojas (center), a former Marine, was one of 50 outstanding scholar-veterans recognized May 6. He is pictured with Councilman Jaime Resendez (left), guest speaker at the event, and Jon Tarell (right), Dallas College Military-Connected Services.
On May 6, Dallas College invited 50 military-connected students who completed degrees or certificates in 2022 with a 3.5 GPA or higher to a special ceremony and luncheon. Dallas College leadership and campus presidents recognized these outstanding students. Councilman Jaime Resendez, a U.S. Army veteran and Dallas deputy mayor pro tem, served as guest speaker. He presented each student with an honor cord to be worn at their commencement ceremony, being held this week.
One of the students recognized was Michael Rojas, a former Marine who will graduate from Dallas College this week. He said Dallas College helped him figure out what path to follow after instructor Patricia Johnson ignited his passion for chemistry. “I had wanted to be a detective, and I decided to become a forensic chemist,” said Rojas. “At Dallas College, I was an A-B student, while in high school I was more of a C-D student. I met a lot of great professors. They were passionate and made sure I learned what I was supposed to know.”
Dallas College Military-Connected Services helped him along the way. “They took time to recommend which classes fit my schedule each semester.” Rojas said one of his best experiences was his involvement with the Student Veterans Association (SVA) on campus. Through the organization he met other veterans and received help with his resume and tips for succeeding at school. Together, they organized fun events and even a 5K run at North Lake Campus.
“Dallas College is dedicated to serving veterans and military-connected students. We enjoy supporting them and are thankful for their service,” said Dr. Higgs.
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