Veterans' education task force report unveiled

The group was formed a year ago and is charged with identifying hurdles for transitioning veterans, researching best practices to serve student veterans and making recommendations on improving opportunities for veterans to earn a post-secondary degree or certificate.

"These are people who put their lives on hold, and their lives on the line for all of us, so why would we not want to help them further succeed?" said Many-Bears Grinder, who serves as commissioner of the state Department of Veterans Affairs and on the task force. "We don't want our veterans to just to get a job," said Grinder. "We want to see them in quality careers because they have so much to offer."

According to a news release from the governor's office, recommendations made by the panel include: statewide training for campus leaders on veteran education practices; and creation of a comprehensive veteran education web-portal.

Planning on the statewide training initiative and web-portal are to start immediately.

The task force is scheduled to begin working with stakeholders from the state Department of Veterans Affairs and higher education officials in the coming months to begin implementing the recommendations.

Austin Peay, which already has several students connected to the military, will host the first Veterans Training Academy next year, according to WTVF-TV.

"Students come to campus with a lot of things that can help them like self-discipline and maturity, but have challenges as well," said Carol Clark, who is chair of Austin Peay's Military Education Task Force and serves as an adviser to the Veterans Education Task Force.