Veteran and military connected students are focused on their academic success and their opportunities after college. When South Texas College held a Veterans Resource Fair at its McAllen campus in mid-April, it attracted over 60 veteran students and their family members. The Texas Veterans Commission was there to inform and connect them with benefits and services to assist them now and for their future.
“The goal was to make sure veterans had access to the right tools and people to support their success,” said TVC Rural Veterans Career Advisor and Army veteran Gerardo “Jerry” Garza. “TVC representatives provided information on all available TVC programs.”
Additionally, Garza coordinated with Workforce Solutions Community Liaison Cassandra Luevano to host a Local Service Provider Outreach table. This provided information about available workforce services and encouraged attendees to follow up through the American Job Center (AJC) to determine eligibility and access employment support. “We encouraged them to visit their local AJC in person, by phone, or online to get started,” said Garza. Throughout the event, Garza and Luevano collaborated to guide veterans not yet screened or entered into the state’s management information system (MIS), promoting next steps and connections to relevant services.
“The resource fair was widely seen as a success, with positive feedback from both attendees and partners,” said Garza. “The event was sponsored by South Texas College Veterans Affairs Director Javier Guajardo. The strong coordination between TVC, South Texas College, Workforce Solutions, and other organizations ensured that veterans left informed, supported, and connected.”
South Texas College’s attention to veteran and military connected student success has made it a TVC Veterans Education Excellence award winner.
Pictured at the event from left to right are TVC Veterans Education Program Specialist Pedro Saldana, TVC Claims Supervisor Robert Dimas, Claims Benefits Advisor Marie Castillo, TVC Health Care Advocate Eric Zamora, Workforce Solutions Community Liaison Cassandra Luevano, and Garza.
