GRANTS, N.M. - New Mexico State University-Grants recently opened the Veteran’s Resource Center. The center’s first official semester of operation was in Fall 2020, and employees are excited about what it has to offer.
The concept originated in 2019 with a collaborative effort between Grants Branch leadership and State Representative Harry Garcia. Now, the center is currently open and operating from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and anticipates offering increased hours during the Fall semester of this year. Shondiin Lewis serves as the VA Student Program Coordinator.
She acknowledged that although the center is already up and running, plans include a grand opening event this upcoming August. Lewis, a lifelong Cibola County resident, began her coordinator duties in December 2020.
“As the VA student program coordinator, my job is to be the School Certifying Official (SCO) for all VA programs,” said Lewis. This includes making sure that VA students receive all the proper education benefits, making sure files are up to date, informing and helping VA students with scholarship opportunities, supporting their academic needs, and managing the everyday functions of the Veteran’s Resource Center among other things.
The center is housed on the NMSU Grants campus, on the second floor of Martinez Hall in Room 104, and it offers many different services.
“The center is going to be a place where VA eligible (military, veteran, and dependent) students can come to relax and study for their classes. This will also be where they can meet with me to discuss their classes, major [field of study], or ask any questions they may have about their education benefits. They will also be networking with other students that share things in common. The center has desktop computers for student access as well as free copy and printing services. The students can use the whiteboard for any ideas they may have and want to share and use the webcam screen for virtual meetings or videos. They can also use the room to meet with Veterans Affairs representatives. The center is equipped with brand new furnishings. The students will be able to utilize the new comfortable furniture, a small kitchen [which includes a microwave and refrigerator], and a coffee station. These are just only the beginning of services and resources that will be provided to the VA students,” explained Lewis.
The VRC coordinator added, “The primary goal of the Veteran’s Resource Center is to uphold the mission of NMSU Military and Veterans Programs by promoting lifelong learning, professional development, and striving to provide the best possible service for our VA students and supporting their educational goals.” According to Lewis, there are currently a small number of VA students in the NMSU Grants student body, but the hope is to attract more eligible veterans to NMSU Grants for further educational opportunities and assist individuals with fulfilling their goals.
Lewis emphasized the center’s staff wants to contact any community members who meet these standards. Any eligible community members who are interested in pursuing an education with NMSU Grants including access to the new Veteran’s Resource Center services, is encouraged to contact Shondiin Lewis, VA Student Program coordinator, via email, sholewis@nmsu.edu, or call 505-287-6626 for more information.