Serving Our Military

Our military — and the families who have supported them — have done so much for our country. It’s so often called a “debt of gratitude” because it’s something we cannot repay.

That’s why we feel fortunate to have the opportunity to serve many veterans and their spouses who are looking to further their education and stay competitive in a civilian job market. Military education funding, including VA Education Benefits for active-duty and prior military and MyCAA for spouses, can be the resource that makes achieving that career goal possible. Update: We also offer a 10% military discount as of April 2017.

Military Spouse Success

It’s certainly been the case for Pat Davis, an Army wife who took the Meeting & Event Management Certificate using MyCAA financial aid.

“After working within the military community as an event and conference planner during my husband’s career, I wanted to look for the same opportunity in our new community of Kennesaw,” Pat said. “I felt the Meeting & Event Management program would benefit me in gaining extra credentials, open doors through connections made through the program and add to my own knowledge base. Having military benefits was a major influence to take the course!”

She has since gone on to join Meeting Professionals International and launch her own conference and meeting planning business.

While Pat worked in her career field as a military spouse, service members themselves often build up years of experience relevant in the civilian workplace: skills like leadership, strategy, communication and organization.

Management Experience

Darrell Vaughan, a retired Major who served in the Army for more than 30 years, worked as a mission planner on the military side. As a civilian, he wanted to move into the field of project management.

Mission planning and project management are similar jobs, he said, so the transition made sense. He just needed a few more credentials and training, which the Project Management Certificate provided.

“KSU is a quality institution,” he said. “The material was challenging, but I learned a lot and was very pleased with the overall experience. The continuing education staff was incredibly helpful working with the Veteran’s Administration to coordinate the paperwork I needed to apply my GI Bill benefits.”

Culinary Veterans

We accept VA Education Benefits for nearly 30 certificate programs, and the list is growing. One of our most popular, the Culinary Apprenticeship program, has had nine veterans come through its doors.

Brandon
Brandon Wilson, an Iraqi veteran who was cross-trained in the Army as a combat medic and optometry fabricator, said the Culinary program was his second chance to get an education in an industry he loves.

Jennifer
Jennifer Simon-Jones enrolled in Culinary after spending 26 years in the Air Force. She chose KSU for its pricing, location and apprenticeship opportunities. She said receiving the military benefits alleviated the stresses of working full-time and paying for school while raising a family.

Edgard
Edgard Sanchez served in the Marines and the Army. He said taking our class helped him achieve his dream: a food truck inspired by his hometown of New Orleans.

Visit our military page to learn about benefit options. Or email Nora Felde at nfelde@kennesaw.edu. She’s helped dozens of military veterans and spouses apply military benefits to achieve their dreams.

Thank you for serving us. Let us serve you.

Photo: Along with our veteran students, we have several instructors who have served in the military. This photo was taken just before Veterans Day by photography instructor and Air Force veteran Bob Stewart.