Long Island, NY - April 4, 2018 - Reps. Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1) and Peter King (R, NY-2) were joined by Suffolk and Nassau County Community Colleges and local veterans to announce the expansion of the VetsSuccess on Campus (VSOC) program to Suffolk and Nassau County Community Colleges.
Suffolk County is home to the largest number of veterans in the State of New York, and Suffolk County Community College serves over 700 military connected students annually across three campuses. In partnership with Nassau Community College and the over 300 military connected students it serves each year, the VetsSuccess on Campus (VSOC) program, delivered through the Department of Veterans Affairs, will help veterans, servicemembers, and their qualified dependents succeed and thrive through a coordinated delivery of on-campus benefits assistance and counseling, leading to completion of their education and preparing them to enter the labor market in viable careers.
During the event, Reps. Zeldin and King presented Suffolk County Community College Vice President of Student Affairs, Dr. Christopher Adams, with an American flag flown over the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. to commemorate the expansion of this important program and to honor to the veterans it serves.
Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1) said, “Our nation’s servicemen and women put their lives on the line to protect us, and when they return home, they have earned nothing less than our unwavering support when transitioning back into civilian life. The expansion of the VetsSuccess on Campus Program means local veterans here at Suffolk and Nassau will have access to an even wider rage of tools at their disposal to help them transition into their new lives after military service.”
Congressman Peter King (R, NY-2) said, “The VetsSuccess on Campus (VSOC) program is a great program that provides a tremendous benefit to Long Island’s student veteran population. The expansion of this project ensures more veterans will succeed in meeting their educational and employment goals.”
Suffolk County Community College Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Christopher Adams said, “The VetsSuccess on Campus Program will go a long way towards helping veterans, servicemembers, and their qualified dependents succeed and thrive through a coordinated delivery of on campus benefits assistance and counseling leading to their education and preparing them to enter the labor market in viable careers. Suffolk County Community College has a long history of assisting student veterans and maximizing their benefits and achieving their ed goals. They deserve it and we are honored to be able to recognize their service to our country in this way.”
VetsSuccess on Campus Program Counselor Christopher Holder said, “As a veteran, as a disabled veteran, I have made the transition these students are making now. I hope that my experience on both sides, as a veteran and as a Administrator, will help these veterans make theirs.”
Air Force Master Sergeant Olivia McMahon (Ret.) and current Suffolk County Community College student said, “The VetsSuccess Program has enabled colleges to provide previously remote access to myself, other veterans, and their dependents with the personal connection to resources and benefits. As a single working parent and veteran, I cannot stress enough the importance of this program. It allows us to reach our educational goals and further educate our community.”