npc_veterans(l to r) Ret. Gen. “Rusty” Findley, Dr. Jeanne Swarthout, NPC Board member James Matteson, Ray Torres and VFW Post 9907 Commander Scott Keil.

Board members from S.E.E.4Vets (Support Education & Employment for Vets) and Northland Pioneer College officials cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially open the new Veterans Center on NPC’s Show Low campus on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016. S.E.E.4Vets is a nonprofit organization partnering with Arizona’s community colleges to implement programs to improve student veteran retention and to advance veteran educational goals.

With “homey” furnishings, four computer stations, a printer/scanner and phone for veteran students to use, officials hope the center will become a gathering place to meet, connect, socialize and study.

A grant from NPC Friends and Family and S.E.E.4-Vets helped purchase the furnishings for the center. S.E.E.4Vets’ $9,200 donation will also cover tuition for 20 veterans to enroll in a new “Success Strategies for College” course that will be available at all nine NPC locations starting in spring 2017. The semester-long course is designed to assist veterans in developing college skills, such as reading a textbook for meaning, studying effectively and preparing for exams.

Enrollment of veterans using their VA benefits at NPC has grown by 38 percent over the past two years, with the largest growth at the Show Low campus. “NPC is committed to the success of student veterans and plans to improve the resources and support available to them,” said Jeremy Raisor, NPC’s director of Enrollment Services.

Veterans needing more information about educational benefits should contact Beth Batson, NPC’s Veteran Certifying Official, at (800) 266-7845, ext. 7469.

www.npc.edu/veteran-services