Oct. 30, 2009
Henderson State University’s Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) program is now operational.VUB is federally-funded and designed to assist qualified military veterans enroll in postsecondary school. The program will serve 120 veterans from Clark, Garland, Miller, Union, and Ouachita counties.
Henderson received a $250,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education earlier this year to fund the program for the 2009-2010 school year. It is one of only three such programs in Arkansas.
“The goal of Veterans Upward Bound is designed to motivate and assist veterans in the development of academic and other requisite skills necessary for acceptance and success in postsecondary education program,” said Kathy Brownlee, assistant program director. VUB provides assessment and enhancement of basic skills through counseling, mentoring, tutoring and academic instruction in core subject areas including mathematics, laboratory science, foreign language, composition and literature.
All veterans must be either low-income (based on family income and number of dependents) or potential first-generation college students whose parents never earned a four-year degree. To qualify for participation in Henderson’s VUB program, veterans must have at least 180 days of active duty service, or have been released for medical reasons before completing 180 days. Veterans with a dishonorable discharge are not eligible to participate in the program.
All services are free of charge to veterans. A stipend is also available for participation in activities and classes. “Our brave veterans have given much, and now have the opportunity to enhance their skills and pursue a postsecondary education,” said Brownlee. “Our mission is their success.”
"Henderson State University is proud to be the recipient of the TRIO Veterans Upward Bound grant,” said Dr. Charles Welch, Henderson president. “The VUB program will offer opportunities for veterans to re-establish fundamental academic skills and study habits that are required for successful performance at the post-secondary educational level. We recognize that many of our veterans who have served in active duty need support and services in a supportive environment.”
Veterans who participate in the VUB program will have access to computer labs and other campus resources. Other services include: college entrance assistance, academic tutoring in subject areas, study skills development, academic counseling and advisement, and exposure to academic programs through college visits, and career field trips to various industry sites.
The length of the program is based on individual need and is dependent on several factors, including high school preparedness, assessment test results and the participant’s internal drive to succeed. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call (870) 230-5710.
Henderson now has six federally-funded TRIO programs, including: Student Support Services, Student Support Disability Services, McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement, Educational Opportunity program and Educational Talent Search program. Together, the programs represent more than $1.5 million in federal TRIO funding from the Department of Education.