Newly formed Veterans Caucus will network, advocate for student and employee veterans
A group of 12 Virginia Tech employees have formed the university’s first Veterans Caucus.
The veterans who work in various faculty and staff positions at Virginia Tech first came together about a year ago to network and advocate for student and employee veterans. Virginia Tech employs more than 300 veterans and has more than 200 student veterans enrolled in classes.
According to its newly adopted constitution, the purpose of the caucus is to:
- improve the working, learning, and living environment for employee and student veterans;
- advocate for the mentoring of and transitional support for veterans returning to work and/or school;
- recommend actions to improve the recruitment and retention of employee and student veterans.
Any current Virginia Tech faculty, staff, or student veteran who has received an honorable discharge qualifies for caucus membership. Veteran family members or others interested in veterans' issues may qualify for associate membership.
The group will meet monthly and plans to spread the word of the caucus in the coming months by establishing a Web presence and attending events including the Veterans in Society Conference Nov. 12-14 at the the Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center.
The formation of the caucus is one of many different veteran-centered initiatives that have been implemented in recent years.
- In February 2013, Virginia Tech became the first public university in the state to become certified as a Virginia Values Veterans employer.
- In April 2015, the U.S. Small Business Administration selected Virginia Tech to host a one-day Boots to Business entrepreneurial workshop for past and present service members and their dependents.
- The university has consistently been recognized as a Military Friendly School.
- In 2010, two students formed the university’s first student veterans organization.
For information on membership or to provide input email the caucus.
