The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) held a “Dialogue on Veterans” in Washington, DC on February 11. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College President Dr. Ray Perren was one of 25 community college presidents invited to attend the daylong event.  The event gave colleges who work closely with veterans groups the opportunity to meet with policy makers and other veterans groups to discuss ways to provide stronger support for veterans seeking to enter or re-enter college.

According to the AACC, national efforts to increase veterans’ college completion rates are getting a big push from the White House.  The Obama administration has been focusing on veterans by creating the Transition Assistance Program, a revised GI Bill, and new training programs for veterans have provided a more access to college for veterans.

In response to being asked to attend the conference, Dr. Perren stated “It was an honor for me to represent Georgia’s two-year colleges at this event. Georgia citizens have a long history of volunteering to serve in our nation’s armed forces. Technical colleges provide an avenue for these men and women to apply the skills learned in the military toward the credentials needed to advance their careers when they return to civilian life. This conference affirmed our nation’s commitment to providing education opportunities to our military veterans.”

In recent years Wiregrass Georgia Technical College has been named a Military Friendly College by Advanced Military Education Magazine, and a Best for Vets College by Military Times EDGE. Wiregrass offers credit, and non-credit classes through an office located at Moody Air Force Base. Wiregrass has a partnership with the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) to provide five CCAF required general education courses through distance education.  The college also coordinates the National Testing Center located on base providing a variety of testing services including CLEP, DANTES, and Pearson Vue required for placement, academia, and certifications.  The college recently began a student veteran’s organization and has worked closely with other military based organizations to help military members and veterans with their educational needs.

To contact the Wiregrass Georgia Technical College offices located at Moody AFB, please call 229-253-9571 or visit www.wiregrass.edu for information on military related services.