Plano Profile August 2010 : Page 80
community tackling new assignments veterans find camaraderie and respect on a different kind of mission BY HEATHER DARROW Air Force Veteran James Harvey says it is easier to concentrate in Collin College veterans’ classes because the students are more focused. Collin photo/Nick Young 80 PLANO PROFILE AUGUST 2010
On Campus
Heather Darrow
Immigrants streaming in by the hundreds, working long hours for little pay, living in tenements, walking through sewage-filled streets—the topic was the industrial age, but veteran students at Collin College envisioned present-day iraq or afghanistan.
“There’s not that big of a difference from what happened at the turn of the century compared to what is happening overseas,” said Meredith Martin, a history professor who is teaching a new veterans’ class at Collin College.
According to Dr. Barbara Coan, dean of academic affairs at the Preston ridge Campus, when she first proffered the idea about classes for veterans, the professors were enthusiastic and spent six months doing research before the first classes began in the spring. Coan says each professor who teaches these classes must have a connection with veterans.
“The faculty did all the hard work.
We offer the veteran classes in a morning format because many of the veterans work. The classes are limited to 18 students,” she said.
James Harvey enrolled in the veteran history and psychology classes.
He served in the air force as a fire protection specialist for three and a half years. Today, at 36 years old, he plans to become a physical therapist.
“i don’t think the curriculum is different in the veteran classes, but the maturity of the class makes a difference.
In veteran classes everyone wants to be there and is trying. The class size is smaller, and you can ask questions and not have to wait. It was more efficient. I would definitely take more veteran classes,” Harvey said.
Harvey says because these individuals served in the military there is a lot more tolerance and respect.
“everybody in my class had career goals. We shared a camaraderie, but
It wasn’t swapping war stories. It was just a different level of maturity you get from the military. It is a lot easier to concentrate in these classes because students are focused.” Professor Martin’s grandparents and great grandparents both served in the military. This fall, she will serve as an advisor for a new veteran student organization which will address financial aid, study issues, and campus culture.
“The draw for me to teach this class was to help these students be successful.
They already have professional success in the military, but it is hard to stand out in a class with 40 students.
In the veteran classes, where the cap is smaller, i can help them.” Martin says sometimes veterans have different issues, including a need to sit in the back of class for a panoramic view or flashbacks of overseas deployment when they hear people speaking foreign languages.
“They find it unsettling that americans don’t realize that we are still at war. I have had veterans in the reserves that volunteer to go back again because they still have comrades in harm’s way,” she said.
Psychology Professor Regina Hughes’ father served in the air force for 20 years. Last semester, she had veterans who served in the army, navy, air force, and Marines in her class.
“as someone raised by a military person, i appreciate the veterans’ need for structure. Veterans are very disciplined students. They provided me with insight into the challenges and opportunities of current military life. One of my students, Jerimiah, said he did not want me to teach differently than any other class. That was not an issue because the curriculum is consistent for all of my classes. However, what did change was the nature of our discussions— much of the applicability of course concepts focused on the experiences specific to the life of a veteran.” an infantry rifleman who served in the army from 2005–2009, Jerimiah Sullivan spent 15 months in iraq and is now in the reserves. He plans to go into law enforcement. Sullivan took history, government, speech, and psychology veteran classes in the spring.
“i really enjoyed the veteran classes because it was difficult coming out of the military and being a civilian. It has been a long time since i have been in school, and i needed that extra attention.
The camaraderie was important because i am from Michigan and don’t have many friends here. There is no difference in homework. The level you learn is no different than any other class. You will not be shortchanged on your education.”Professor of speech Kim Nyman’s son and stepson are active duty Marines. Her husband is a Vietnam-era veteran and her father and grandfather were veterans of Wwii and Wwi respectively.
“These are people who have risked their lives to protect our country and freedom, and the transition is abrupt.
When we have the opportunity to show them how much we value their service by offering them an exceptional educational experience, a right they have earned, then we really need to do that.” Visit youtube.com/ watch?v=2WuydS8oO4o to watch a video about veterans' classes. To learn more about Collin College veterans’ classes, contact the dean of academic affairs office at 972.377.1725 or visit collin.edu. Freelance writer Heather Darrow is a frequent contributor to Plano Profile.
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