Oct. 7, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Always remember, at GRCC, you are surrounded by people who want you to be successful and are ready to walk with you on your educational pathway. We are here to help!
Meet Matt Langton. As a Veteran2Veteran lead guide, Matt provides peer advising and support for GRCC's Veteran Services department. Veteran Services provides support for military connected students as they transition from military to civilian student life.
Matt is focused on connecting with student veterans, educating them about the services of the Veteran Center, and providing them ongoing support. This support could include helping student veterans adjust to college life, helping them address challenges they may face as a student or a veteran, and referring them to appropriate resources on and off campus.
"Veterans2Veterans is a new program we are implementing on campus this semester," Matt said. "I get excited talking to other student veterans and discussing what we have available to them. I want all student veterans to be aware of our facility and resources so they can connect with us on campus."
Veteran2Veteran provides peer support, outreach, and resources for student veterans through Peer Advisors for Veteran Education, including veterans supporting each other through the transition to college.
Matt is also a finance major at GRCC. He was initially planning on attending the college for one year. But because of the great experiences he has had so far, he is now planning to transfer to Davenport University through a 3-1 transfer program where he will attend GRCC for three years, and then graduate from Davenport with a bachelor's degree after attending there for one year.
Matt attended an out-of-state university after his military service. He remembers that university not being very military friendly, so he's thankful for the support and commitment GRCC has for their student veterans. Matt understands what it's like for a military connected student to consider attending college, go through the admissions and enrollment process, and then study and attend classes on campus and online, and navigate student services on campus.
"I want student veterans to feel comfortable reaching out to our department so I can assist them however I can," says Matt. "From providing a comfortable space for studying or socializing, to sharing knowledge and resources to help them meet their goals."
GRCC has a history of being a veteran-friendly campus, and just held a Grand Opening of the new Veteran Center, located on the G2 level of Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall on the college's main campus in Grand Rapids.
The center will provide one-on-one advising, Veterans Administration work-study positions, tutoring and academic support, and assistance in completing the VA education benefits process. Staff will also connect veterans with other campus resources, including financial aid, advising and disability support. The project also will expand GRCC's partnerships with state and local veteran's agencies, helping students access benefits and support in the community.
Students can connect with the Veterans Center by phone at (616) 234-2578, and by email at veterans@grcc.edu. Additional information is at grcc.edu/veterans.