DES MOINES – Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today applauded the Iowa State Board of Education for passing a measure providing a uniform policy giving veterans, their spouses and their dependents in-state tuition at Iowa community colleges, a measure Regents universities have already adopted. Additionally, the pair launched a working group to make policy recommendations with the goal of making Iowa more attractive for service members.
“A key element of our bipartisan Home Base Iowa jobs plan is ensuring veterans, their spouses and their dependents are able to continue their education and training at an affordable rate at Iowa’s community colleges,” said Branstad. “I commend the State Board of Education for their swift action that sends the signal that Iowa stands ready to welcome veterans and match them with quality careers.”
In addition to the State Board of Education’s action, Branstad and Reynolds today announced the launch of a working group tasked with finding ways to make Iowa more attractive to veterans leaving the armed services. The committee’s members, who received a letter from the governor and lt. governor, are tasked with making recommendations on the following items by July 1, 2014:
1) Develop a more consistent approach among Iowa’s three state universities and 15 community colleges for awarding undergraduate credits to a student who also is a veteran for courses that are part of the student’s military training or experience. Such credit shall be awarded toward the student’s major, minor, pre-requisite, or elective coursework requirements. Encourage Iowa’s private colleges and universities to adopt the same approach.
2) Develop strategies for the state universities, community colleges and participating private colleges and universities to recruit veterans and promote educational benefits provided to veterans at each institution. Study best practices for recruiting veterans to attract and retain a better educated workforce. Examine effectiveness of campus veteran support services. Consider opportunities to coordinate this campaign across higher education institutions, the State of Iowa, and private employers.
3) Develop a plan to provide consistent data tracking for an annual report to the Governor’s Office and Legislature. At minimum the report should include the following: the number of veterans enrolled at state universities and community colleges, including new veterans; the number awarded credit for military training, service or experience; and average military credit earned. Encourage private colleges and universities to participate.
“Our veterans have served our nation and state with great dignity and honor. These brave men and women are highly-skilled and will be well sought after by Iowa employers,” said Reynolds. “Governor Branstad and I applaud the State Board of Education’s for their action today and look forward to reviewing the working group’s recommendations as we strive to make Iowa more attractive for service members.”
The following individuals will make of the Home Base Iowa working group:
Chair
Jodi Tymeson, Brig. General Iowa Army National Guard (retired)
Commandant of the Iowa Veterans Home
Membership
Jathan Chicoine
Iowa State University Veterans Services Coordinator
President, Iowa Advisory Council on Military Education
Former U.S. Navy SEAL
Senior Airman Michael Considine
Avionics Technician for the 185th Air National Guard
University of Iowa Veterans Association President
Andrew Gates
St. Ambrose University Coordinator of Veterans Recruitment and Services
Former Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps
Col. Tim Glynn
Iowa National Guard
Diana Gonzalez
Board of Regents, Chief Academic Officer
Julia Heuer
University of Northern Iowa Coordinator Military and Veteran Student Services
Former SGT, U.S. Army
Colonel Robert King (Ret.)
Director of the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs
Chris LaFerla
Iowa Western Community College Dean of Admissions and Records
Kim Linduska
Des Moines Area Community College Executive Vice President, Academic Affairs
Hal Pittman, Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy (Retired)
President and CEO, Special Olympics Iowa
Mary Elizabeth Stivers
Grand View University Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Jeremy Varner
Iowa Department of Education, Division of Community Colleges
