Yesterday, Texas celebrated its dedication to providing quality education to its veterans with Governor Greg Abbott acknowledging the efforts of 24 state public schools honored with the 2024 Veteran Education Excellence Recognition Award by the Texas Veterans Commission. In a statement released by the Governor's office, Abbott echoed the statewide pride in supporting the educational pursuits of veterans, noting that Texas, home to over 1.7 million veterans and service members, takes great pride in the resources and support its institutions offer.
"I thank these colleges and universities for their ongoing efforts to provide wide-ranging services for student veterans and veterans' children as they pursue opportunities in higher education," Governor Abbott stated. Home to the academic success of the servicemen and women, the awardees make significant contributions, amassing gold, silver, and bronze-tier accolades to substantiate the depth of the support they propagate.
The award comes in three levels—gold, silver, and bronze—and this year's recipients include a mix of repeat honorees and first-timers, such as Dallas College and Northwest Vista College, which are being recognized for their exemplary services for the first time. As described by TVC Chairwoman and Navy veteran Laura Koerner in a statement, "These colleges and universities ensure our veterans and their dependents receive the education they have earned in an environment that fosters academic success."
Evaluation for these awards was stringent and focused on a multitude of elements vital to positive outcomes for veteran students. The criteria included the existence of a central hub for veterans, appointed personnel to act as primary contacts, and the presence of both mental health support and career services for students who are veterans among others. Offering more than just education, these institutions employ resources like housing policies tailored to veterans and their academic needs, which a vibrant housing policy that applies to them rightly supports.
The Texas Veterans Commission stands as an advocate for veterans, aiming to secure a quality of life that appreciates their service. They extend their reach not only by recognizing educational institutions but also by assisting in acquiring benefits and managing the Hazlewood Act education benefits. The yearly recognition by the TVC underscores the state's commitment to ensuring every Texan veteran and their family has the opportunity to achieve educational success and thereby, a better future.
