Designation Recognizes Support for Military-Connected Students
(UCBJ) – The Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Upper Cumberland has become the second campus in Tennessee to earn the VETS Bravo designation and the first Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) institution and Tennessee College of Applied Technology to receive the honor.
The designation recognizes the organization’s commitment to serving military-connected students through:
- support services
- workforce engagement
- student success initiatives
Tennessee VETS Campuses became eligible to earn the additional VETS Bravo designation, which recognizes institutions that meet elevated standards for supporting military-connected students, beginning in July 2024, 10 years after the Tennessee Veterans Transition Support (VETS) Act was signed into law.
Criteria include:
- Utilizing insights from the campus’ annual student veteran survey to improve services.
- Identifying a VETS Bravo Campus Liaison and providing ongoing professional development.
- Establishing and maintaining a peer-mentoring or support program specifically for military-connected students for at least one academic year.
- Providing career services tailored to the needs of military-connected students.
“TCAT Upper Cumberland’s VETS Bravo designation is a reflection of their welcoming and responsive environment for military-connected students,” said Kathleen Staple, THEC Director of Veteran Initiatives. “TCAT Upper Cumberland is helping translate the skills and experiences gained through military service into meaningful educational and workforce opportunities in Tennessee.”
The designation comes as military-connected students continue to demonstrate strong engagement in Tennessee higher education.
“According to THEC’s newly released VETS Campus Report, military-connected students are not only enrolling in higher education but continuing their education to pursue higher-level degrees,” according to a release.
Fall 2024 marked the highest semester enrollment of the year across VETS Campuses.
6,767 undergraduate student veterans and 6,020 undergraduate military dependents were enrolled statewide, showing continued engagement among “military-connected learners.” According to the data, this designation provides support structures to help students persist and “advance their education.”
Every year, institutions that have earned a VETS or VETS Bravo designation submit annual data across VETS-designated institutions to THEC on their veteran and military-connected student populations, including:
- institution-level enrollment counts
- programs of study by degree
- pursued and credentials attained
For more information, visit www.tn.gov/thec.
