Special to The Mississippi Monitor
Center for Veterans Affairs Gulf Park Campus. (Photo special to The Mississippi Monitor).
Less than one percent of Americans currently serve in the military, enabling the rest to enjoy freedoms often taken for granted. The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Center for Military Veterans, Service Members, and Families is committed to helping those who sacrificed so much with a wide range of benefits.
True Southern Miss grit is radiated through Stacy Henley, Veteran’s Affairs (VA) Benefits Coordinator at the Gulf Park campus in Long Beach. Her family’s military history has inspired her to give back to those who have worn the uniform. She says she is proud to provide a space at Gulf Park to offer educational help for students.
“We assist the students with their educational benefits; and, in doing so, we help them complete their educational goals. We try to bring the military community together at USM in providing access to benefits that can help them be successful,” said Henley.
Providing a sense of camaraderie and unity on campus is a way to help transitioning service members and their families find a place they can call home, said Henley.
“It gives USM military veterans a place to come together and provides a time to ask questions,” she continues. “They feel more comfortable knowing that someone has been through what they have been through. It makes it easier for them to sit down and talk to you.”
Major Gen. Jeff Hammond, Director of Veterans and Military Affairs at USM, is retired from service but dedicates his life to helping those military veterans and students on the Hattiesburg and Gulf Park campuses.
“The USM Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families fully incorporates all the support services for military connected students on both our Hattiesburg and Long Beach campus locations,” said Hammond. “This includes a VA Benefits Coordinator Veteran Services Official operating from offices located in Hardy Hall.”
Misty Manning, USM marine biologist student, says she is thankful for Henley and the Veteran’s Center.
“My husband is a veteran. Just knowing the service exists is great… because not many people know the services exist,” said Manning.
“As one of the Top-10 Military Friendly schools across the United States, we consider it an honor to care for all our South Mississippi military connected students and their families,” said Maj. Gen. Hammond.
For more information about USM’s Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families, visit www.USM.edu/military-veterans.