CPTC Veterans Resource Center to celebrate move to new space Nov. 7

By Jean Borst

Clover Park Technical College (CPTC) can trace its strong ties to the military back to its beginnings. CPTC opened its doors in 1942 to offer programs designed to aid in the World War II effort. Today, more than 530 military-connected students are enrolled at the college, including veterans, active military and their families. The CPTC Veterans Resource Center is there to help them succeed.

Meeting unique challenges

Unlike traditional college students, this group faces unique challenges as they make the move from military to college life –  from adjusting to a far less-regimented structure, to health and behavioral issues, to isolation, loneliness and more. Studies show that providing veterans services on college campuses can help ease the transition and ultimately improve retention and graduation rates.

The CPTC Veterans Resource Center is designed to help eliminate potential barriers to academic success. It provides a space for military-connected students to get the resources they need and connect with people who understand their experiences.

CPTC Veterans Services Manager Dee Ladson knows how important that support and sense of community can be. After 18 years in the military, Ladson transitioned to civilian life as a single mother and went on to become a medical assistant. When she moved from Texas to Washington state to be closer to her sons, it was time to try something new. Her son suggested she check out CPTC.

“I thought the college’s Surgical Technology program would be the most likely path,” Ladson said. “But an instructor I talked with told me I had a certain ‘oomph’ and could tell I liked helping people and urged me to try Human Services.”

While completing her studies in Human Services and Chemical Dependency, the college’s Veterans Resource Center was a welcoming and helpful space for Ladson – and provided an unexpected turn in her career path.

Because of her penchant for assisting others, Ladson was offered a part-time job in the center, which eventually became a full-time position. When the former Veterans Services Manager stepped down for medical reasons, Ladson was asked to take the helm. “I knew that helping other veterans stay in school was my purpose,” she said.

Connection and support

In addition to providing a physical gathering space for military-connected students and their families to socialize and network, the Veterans Service Center also offers:

• Peer navigators to help students access military benefits, tap into campus resources and connect with community partners for assistance with mental health issues, housing, finances and more.
• Tutoring services.
• Computers and free wi-fi.
• Food and clothing pantry.
• Workshops and seminars.
• Events for veteran and military students and their families.
• Training to educate staff and faculty on the experiences of military-connected students.

While the services provided through the Veterans Resources Center are geared toward the needs of military-connected students, Ladson stressed that anyone who needs assistance is welcome to come in.

Setting the right tone

“As a student, I found the center to be a place where people could come in to access its services or just sit, relax and have a snack,” Ladson said. “That’s what I’ve carried over. I want veterans and their families feel like they can let their hair down.”

That’s precisely the vibe retired U.S. Army vet Ken Bourque picked up on when he first visited the Veterans Resource Center as a new student. He initially tapped into the center for help getting his military records. He found the assistance he needed and more – including a work study position.

“The center was a great resource, especially as a first-generation college student,” Bourque said. “And the camaraderie I found there was very helpful in making the transition from military to civilian life. The people there understood what I’d been through, and the staff really helped me work through some issues.”

After graduating from CPTC in 2019 with an Associate of Applied Sciences degree in Human Services, Bourque went on to complete his Bachelor of Social Work at St. Martin’s University. He returned to CPTC last year to work as a veteran navigator through a partnership between the college and the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs. This year, he’s back on campus as a student in the college’s Early Care & Education program and will soon take on a new role at CPTC dedicated to helping veteran students get their claims processed faster.

A grand reopening

The Veterans Resource Center is in the final phase of moving to a new location in Building 16 on CPTC’s Lakewood campus. The space is more centrally located and closer to other student services. The grand reopening will take place on Nov. 7 following the college’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony at the McGavick Conference Center, which begins at 2:30 pm.

With the reopening of the center, Ladson hopes to expand services to meet the growing needs of the students it serves.

“The greatest need is for food and financial help,” she said. “We have a lot of community partners we refer students to. I’d like to see us offer more on campus so they can get access to what they need, when they need it.”