NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) announced $1 million in grant awards to eight Tennessee higher education institutions to expand resources, strengthen mental health and well-being support, and assist more campuses to better serve military-connected students.
Military-connected students include veterans, active-duty service members, members of the National Guard and Reserves, and their spouses and dependents. The grants provide funding through two opportunities: the Veteran Initiatives Grant, which helps existing VETS Campuses expand services and resources, and the Veteran Initiatives Designation Grant, which helps institutions build the infrastructure and resources needed to earn the VETS Campus designation.
The Veteran Initiatives Grant will help six institutions already designated as VETS Campuses expand mental health and well-being resources for military-connected students. Grant recipients
- Austin Peay State University
- Belmont University
- Carson-Newman University
- Lipscomb University
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center
- Walters State Community College
The Veteran Initiatives Designation Grant will support two institutions as they work toward earning the VETS Campus designation, helping them establish the infrastructure, resources and services needed to better support military-connected students:
- Tusculum University
- University of Tennessee Southern
“We’re excited to support campuses as they put solutions into action to address obstacles faced by military-connected students,” said Dr. Steven Gentile, THEC Executive Director. “These grants will strengthen the resources available to veterans, service members, and military-connected students, helping more students achieve their education and career goals.”
The VETS Campus initiative recognizes Tennessee institutions that demonstrate a strong commitment to serving veterans, service members and military-connected students. Through these grants, campuses can strengthen the resources available to students as they transition to higher education, pursue workforce training and work toward their academic and career goals.
Tennessee also recognizes institutions demonstrating exceptional support for military-connected students through the elevated VETS Bravo Campus designation. Tennessee College of Applied Technology – Crossville and Austin Peay State University are currently the state’s two VETS Bravo Campuses.
The grants were proposed by Governor Bill Lee and approved by the General Assembly last year, continuing Tennessee’s investment in ensuring veterans and military-connected students have access to the support they need to succeed after service.
For more information about Tennessee’s VETS Campus initiative and veteran and military-connected student resources, visit www.tn.gov/thec.
