Valdosta, GA: Wiregrass Georgia Technical College has been designated a Military Friendly® School Gold Award recipient in the Small Community College category once again. The designation is given to colleges for having outstanding programs and support for our nation’s veterans and their families.
Institutions earning the Military Friendly® School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey completed by the school.
Wiregrass Tech offers opportunities to take credit and non-credit classes through an office located at Moody Air Force Base. Active Duty, Veterans, and their dependents can utilize the offerings and services at the base or may choose to attend one of the College’s other campuses. Wiregrass has a partnership with the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) to provide five CCAF-required general education courses. These courses are offered in rotation in a hybrid format at the base of a program called the FAST Track program. The courses are set up so that students can finish the courses in two semesters. The college has two National Testing Centers; Valdosta Main Campus and Moody AFB that offer a variety of testing services including CLEP, DANTES, and Pearson Vue required for placement, academia, and certifications. The Moody AFB testing center has been nationally recognized annually for its exemplary service to military members at Moody AFB.
Wiregrass’ Military and Veterans Support Services Director Tabora Temple shared, “Being designated as Military Friendly with Gold status honors could not be accomplished without supportive staff/faculty and our incoming and current Veteran and Military students. I want our community Veterans to know they have resources available to assist and a safe place to discuss any issues regardless of discharge status.” Temple also serves as an advisor for the college’s student Veterans population regardless of VA education benefit usage. Temple conducts monthly meetings to ensure students receive the most up-to-date information regarding VA updates, scholarship opportunities, and support activities.
The Military and Veterans Support Services department has various support activities: Semester Orientation for Veterans, single or group counseling with a licensed VA counselor, a clothing closet for students in need of business attire for interviews or everyday clothing, small food pantry, and gas cards for students who travel long distances to attend classes. Wiregrass has partnered with American Legion Post 13, Tallahassee Vet Center, Disabled American Veterans, Coastal Plains, and 90 Works to provide more services for the college’s Veterans/Military families and community members. These organizations ensure Veteran and Military families receive appropriate medical benefits, cover food disparities, provide housing opportunities for homeless Veterans, process VA disability claims, initiate military discharge upgrades, job skills, and resume reviews. The college continues to work to improve the Veterans Lounge on the Valdosta Campus which includes: a Green Zone (safe zone), video capabilities for completing assignments or virtual VA court meetings, computer access, and a place to relax and enjoy freshly brewed coffee.
Wiregrass is also proud of the college’s chapter of the Student Veterans of America Association. The student organization provides an avenue for Veterans and Military members to seek assistance from others with a common background, become involved in college life, and give back to the community through various community service projects.
For more information about the Fast Track program and other offerings contact Tabora Temple at 229-333-2100 ext. 3001 or Christopher Moore Military and Veterans Support Services Coordinator at: veterans@wiregrass.edu Information can also be found about Veterans services at Wiregrass at: https://www.wiregrass.edu/military-and-veteran-students .
