St. Cloud college creates space for veterans

ST. CLOUD, Minn. (MCT) When technical colleges were constructed with a "get in, get out, get a job" mentality, there wasn't much room left for gathering places.

That's why St. Cloud Technical & Community College President Joyce Helens wants to create a communal space on campus with a new and improved center that directly addresses the needs of returning veterans.

Though the school currently has a small designated veteran's space, Helens says the college saw both a need and an opportunity to expand and centralize a resource center for veterans, their families and the community.

"We're learning through unfortunate trial and error that PTSD doesn't only affect the veteran," veteran and faculty member Brian Volkmuth said. "It often reaches the spouse or even the children."

"That is a big concern," he said.

The college wants the Veterans Resource Center, its current working name, to help be a solution.

Bringing together resources

Volkmuth is the faculty adviser for SCTCC's Student Veterans Organization and is himself a veteran, having served in the Marines.

As discussions began about relocating and expanding the school's veterans center, Helens says more and more organizations jumped on board.

"Everybody who has anything to do with veterans is at the table," Helens said.

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St. Cloud college creates space for veterans