Edgewood College President Testifies on GI Bill at Veterans’ Education Hearing
On behalf of NAICU, Edgewood College president, Dan Carey, testified about Edgewood’s successful veteran students programs at a House subcommittee hearing on the use and impact of GI Bill benefits. The June 20 hearing, entitled “The Value of Education for Veterans at Public, Private and For-Profit Colleges and Universities,” was held before the Economic Opportunity subcommittee of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
Like many NAICU members, Edgewood fully participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, thereby covering all tuition and fees for eligible veterans and substantially limiting their need to borrow. Using examples of the services and support provided to veterans at Edgewood, Carey cited three key components for the success of veteran students attending private, non-profit colleges:
- Dedication of financial and personnel resources to student education and services;
- Focus on teaching and emphasis on critical thinking, effective writing, and teamwork; and
- Provision of student support services, including intensive job placement services.
Carey also shared compelling stories about veterans’ experiences at Edgewood. He observed, “These stories are being repeated throughout private, non-profit college campuses across the country – where revenues are dedicated to giving students personal attention, counseling services, and smaller class sizes.” However, noting his own military background, Carey expressed regret that not all institutions of higher education demonstrate such a level of commitment to veterans’ success.
Other witnesses included representatives of Riverside City College and the University of Texas at El Paso, both testifying about veterans’ programs on their campuses. The Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities and the American Association of Community Colleges also presented information about veterans’ education provided by the for-profit and community college sectors, respectively.
In response to the subcommittee’s interest in development of performance data regarding veteran students, Michael Dakduk, executive director of Student Veterans of America, discussed a Student Veteran Attainment Database being created by the National Student Clearinghouse.
Robert Worley, director of education service at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, outlined the VA’s work implementing the new veterans’ information requirements enacted late last year (see January 4, 2013, Washington Update story) and the “principles of excellence” outlined in Executive Order 13607 (see Washington Update stories listed below).
Washington Update stories on Principles of Excellence:
• Departments of Veterans Affairs, Education Continue Implementation of “Principles of Excellence,” July 23, 2012
• VA Extends "Principles of Excellence" Deadline to August 1, July 5, 2012
• VA Urged to Provide More Clarity in “Principles of Excellence” Request, June 22, 2012
• VA Asks Colleges to Endorse "Principles of Excellence," June 12, 2012
• President Issues Executive Order on Higher Ed Service to Military, May 14, 2012
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Tim Powers