(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Wayne DeAngelo, Craig
Coughlin, Celeste Riley and Connie Wagner to create a commission tasked with
studying and making recommendations to the governor and the Legislature on how
to best facilitate the successful transition of veterans into higher education
has been signed into law.
“Transitioning into college life can
be an overwhelming experience for new students, never mind veterans who are
still adjusting to civilian life,” said DeAngelo (D-Mercer/Middlesex). “This
commission will be essential in helping us better understand the challenges
faced by returning soldiers and the type of policies that must be put in place
to help facilitate their college pursuits.”
“Many veterans have a difficult time
adjusting to life after the military. Those interested in pursuing a college
degree might not even know where to start or where they can go for direction,”
said Coughlin (D-Middlesex). “The commission will help identify resources that
can help veterans who want to attend school, as well as those who have already
enrolled but may be having a hard time.”
“Many veterans are unable to find
work because their military experience does not translate into the workforce,”
Riley (D-Cumberland/Gloucester/Salem). “The data gathered by this commission can
help veterans who want to better their career prospects by going to college. It
is our duty to do all we can to help our veterans provide for themselves and
their families when they return home.”
“This commission will
provide information that can help the state find ways to further support our
veterans transition back into civilian life,” said Wagner (D-Bergen, Passaic).
“For their service and dedication in the military, the state should learn more
about veterans’ need to achieve educational goals and create the life they want
after the military.”
The “Veterans Higher Education
Commission” – as created by the law (A-3011) – will consist of the following 9
members: the Secretary of Higher Education, or a designee; the Commissioner of
the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, or a designee; the Adjutant
General of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, or a designee; the
Commissioner of Education, or a designee; and 5 members to be appointed by the
Governor including a representative of an institution of higher education’s
Student Veterans Organization, a representative of the New Jersey Council of
County Colleges, a representative of the New Jersey Association of State
Colleges and Universities, a representative of the Association of Independent
Colleges and Universities in New Jersey and a representative of a public
research university.
The commission will be
responsible for identifying and examining:
·
policies and programs that will increase the
percentage of veterans earning postsecondary certifications and degrees;
·
services of institutions of higher education that
successfully transition veterans enrolled in institutions of higher education
back to civilian life, such as specialized counseling and career services;
·
options for educating faculty and staff on how to
best educate and support veterans enrolled in institutions of higher education
who have recently returned from military service; and
·
methods and strategies to increase veterans’
awareness of the education and career opportunities and programs available to
them through the State’s public and independent institutions of higher
education
The commission is
required to issue a final report to the governor and the Legislature no later
than one year after its organizational meeting, and will expire upon the
issuance of the report.
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