GCC Named Military Friendly For Fifth Consecutive Year

Deptford Twp. – Gloucester County College has been recognized for the fifth-consecutive year as a top “Military Friendly School” by Victory Media’s G.I. Jobs magazine.

G.I. Jobs, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pa., polled more than 12,000 institutions across the country to determine which schools are doing the most to embrace veterans as students. GCC is ranked among the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools nationwide to recruit individuals with military experience.

“Gloucester County College has nearly 200 veterans registered for classes this semester. We are proud to be able to provide an affordable education to the dedicated men and women who serve our country,” said Dr. Frederick Keating, college president. “We are happy to assist them in reaching their career goals.”

Setting GCC apart from other academic institutions is the wealth of resources it maintains on campus.

The College employs a Veterans Certifying Official and Educational Liaison who helps students to access their hard-earned Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits as well as obtain resources from within the community. Such include the Gloucester County Veterans Affairs Office, VA Medical Clinic, Habitat for Humanity, People-to-People, Hands Across America and Angels of God agencies. The Student Veterans Organization (SVO) provides a forum for individuals to connect, socialize and find support.

Presently, four percent of the total student population possesses military experience. SVO President Daniel Volpe, of Westville, has been deployed four times — completing two tours in Iraq, Afghanistan and Haiti following the 2010 earthquake. He is pursuing a degree in psychology.

“The major goal of the Student Veterans Organization is to help veterans in any way possible, whether it’s navigating G.I. Bill benefits, getting medical care or even assimilating to civilian life,” said Volpe. “We direct them to who they need to talk to and where they need to go to access these resources. We will also host social events, like going to an Eagles or Phillies game. This organization is more than an information desk.”

 “It is an honor to be able to offer educational support to the veterans who have been of great service to our country.  Our veterans have earned all of their benefits, including the educational benefits that come with the GI Bill.  The face of our veterans’ community is changing and we have many younger veterans who are in need of a new skill set as a result of our national economy and GCC is a great place for them to enhance their education,” said Freeholder Deputy Director Giuseppe (Joe) Chila, liaison to the Gloucester County Office of Veterans Affairs. “We encourage our veteran community to take advantage of the educational opportunities that exist at the college and to utilize all of the veterans’ services that are available through the County like the VA Medical Clinic and our Veterans Affairs Office.” 

For more information on veteran services at GCC, call 856-464-5239. For information on the Gloucester County VA Health Clinic, Veterans Memorial Cemetery or other benefits and services, call the Gloucester County Office of Veterans Affairs at 856-401-7660.

Gloucester County College is located on a 250-acre campus on Tanyard Road, Deptford, just off Exit 56 of Route 55.