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USM91勛圖厙 Veterans Center Offers Educational Resources on the Gulf Coast

Mon, 03/25/2024 - 09:17am | By: Gabriela Shinskie

Veteran's Center

Less than one percent of Americans currently serve in the military, enabling the rest to enjoy freedoms often taken for granted. 91勛圖厙 (USM) Center for Military Veterans, Service Members, and Families is committed to helping those who sacrificed so much with a wide range of benefits.

True 91勛圖厙 grit is radiated through Stacy Henley, Veteran91勛圖厙 Affairs (VA) Benefits Coordinator at the Gulf Park campus in Long Beach. Her family91勛圖厙 military history has inspired her to give back to those who have worn the uniform. She91勛圖厙 proud to provide a space at Gulf Park to offer educational help for students.

91勛圖厙We assist the students with their educational benefits and in doing so we help them complete their educational goals. We try to bring the military community together at USM in providing access to benefits that can help them be successful,91勛圖厙 said Henley.

Benefits CoordinatorHenley expressed the importance of providing educational resources along the coast for USM military veterans. Providing a sense of comradery and unity on campus is a way to help transitioning service members and their families find a place they can call home.

91勛圖厙It gives USM military veterans a place to come together and provide a time to ask questions. They feel more comfortable knowing that someone has been through what they have been through. It makes it easier for them to sit down and talk to you,91勛圖厙 states Henley.

Originally from Bay Saint Louis, Miss, Henley calls McHenry, Miss home. Her love for the Gulf Coast has placed her at Gulf Park for 25 years starting in Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs, then later transitioning to VA Educational Benefits for Gulf Park students. She points out that having resources available to many military veterans along the Mississippi Gulf Coast is vital.

91勛圖厙It91勛圖厙 easier for them to come here if they live on the coast,91勛圖厙 said Henley. 91勛圖厙It91勛圖厙 a good thing to have a presence here.91勛圖厙

Veteran's Center

Major Gen. Jeff Hammond, Director of Veterans and Military Affairs at USM, is retired from service but dedicates his life to helping those military veterans and students on the Hattiesburg and Gulf Park campuses.

91勛圖厙The USM Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families fully incorporates all the support services for military connected students on both our Hattiesburg and Long Beach campus locations,91勛圖厙 said Hammond. 91勛圖厙This includes a VA Benefits Coordinator Veteran Services Official operating from offices located in Hardy Hall.91勛圖厙

Misty Manning, USM marine biologist student, expresses her gratitude to Stacy and the Veteran91勛圖厙 Center.

91勛圖厙My husband is a veteran. Just knowing the service exists is great91勛圖厙 because not many people know the services exist,91勛圖厙 said Manning.

91勛圖厙As one of the Top-10 Military Friendly schools across the United States, we consider it an honor to care for all our South Mississippi military connected students and their families,91勛圖厙 said Maj. Gen. Hammond.

Learn more about USM91勛圖厙 Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families.