Johnson County Community College (JCCC) recently expanded support for those who have served our country with a new and improved space for the Veteran and Military Student Resource Center (VMSRC).
Located just down the hall from its original space, the updated center provides veteran and military-connected students — along with members of the community — a centralized location for resources, mentorship, and peer support.
The VMSRC first opened on Veterans Day in 2014 to help veterans and other military-connected students, including spouses and children, successfully transition from military to civilian life. Since then, the center has supported hundreds of student veterans on their educational journeys. As that demand has grown, JCCC recognized the need for a larger, more functional space to better serve this unique population.
More space, more privacy, and centrally located services
Veterans or military-connected students are first introduced to the VMSRC when they enroll at JCCC. VMSRC staff help students navigate U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits, provide college transition support, and connect them with opportunities to get involved on campus.
From certifying enrollment to coordinating tuition and fees with the VA, staff support students through each step of the process. In the new space, students have more privacy to discuss personal information and feel more comfortable asking for the resources and support they need.
The expanded VMSRC, located on the third floor between JCCC’s Student Center and Commons building, includes the following services for JCCC student veterans, as well as veterans from the community:
- Full-time counselor from the Kansas City Vet Center
- Offers confidential help and personal counseling for Veterans, service members, and their families at no cost in a non-medical setting
- VetSuccess on Campus (VSOC) program
- Provides a VA vocational counselor for educational and career counseling to service members, veterans, and dependents
- Johnson County Field Office for the Kansas Office of Veteran Services
- Assists veterans and their family members with filing claims through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
While these resources were previously located in offices near the original VMSRC, they are now housed in one central location to simplify navigation and connect veterans with the support they need more efficiently.
A place to connect with peers and build community
Beyond services and resources, the new VMSRC was designed to foster connection and community among students with shared experiences.
During their first semester at JCCC, all veteran and military-connected students participate in the Peer Advisors for Veteran Education (PAVE) program, which pairs incoming students with a current student as their Peer Advisor.
Peer Advisors go through extensive training and are uniquely equipped to guide new student veterans through common challenges they may face and to provide ongoing support as they adjust to college life. The new location offers a dedicated space for PAVE participants to meet, build relationships, and connect outside of structured programming.
The expanded center also features the spacious SPC Spencer Duncan Student Lounge, named in honor of a local veteran, which provides a welcoming environment for students to meet, study, or spend time between classes. Families can also use the space while attending appointments, and additional desks and computers are available for both students and visitors.
Together, the new VMSRC fosters a more collaborative and accessible environment that supports student success and reflects JCCC’s ongoing commitment to serving those who have served. Learn more at jccc.edu/veterans.
