Learning leadership skills through the military and veteran community
The active military and veteran community is familiar to Gabriela Iglesias Garcia, a 甜瓜视频app sophomore from Jacksonville, majoring in . Garcia鈥檚 father is a service member, along with many others in her family.
With an extensive history of military involvement, Garcia knew she wanted to attend a university that has a deep respect for people who have served. She found out about WCU a few years ago through a family friend, who just so happens to be a WCU student, as well.
鈥沦丑别 is also is a member of the , and she shared with me just how deeply Western cares about its active duty and veteran population, telling me about the Veterans Resource Center, and all the support offered through ,鈥� Garcia said. 鈥淭his, paired with the kind and welcoming atmosphere I was greeted with during my first visit to Western, I knew it was the environment for me.鈥�
One of Garcia鈥檚 favorite things about the Student Veterans Association is the sense of community the club offers for active duty and veteran students.
鈥淣o one can ever truly understand the military experience unless you鈥檝e been in the military, and this can be very isolating. Just knowing others like yourself, and having that community, can make all the difference,鈥� Garcia said.
She went on to describe how welcoming the club is to everyone, not just military-affiliated students. 鈥淓ven if you鈥檙e not a veteran yourself, because the community is so strong, you鈥檙e still able to make meaningful connections. Like with my family friend who first introduced me to Western; I wouldn鈥檛 be at this school without a connection I made through the veteran community,鈥� Garcia said.
In addition to being the communications chairperson for the Student Veterans Association, Garcia also works as a . 鈥淚 like talking to people and getting to know them, and the program is a great way to make connections, especially right now when people aren鈥檛 able to visit others,鈥� she said.
When asked about what the most rewarding part of her job has been so far, Garcia shared a story about a recent alumnus she spoke with on the phone, describing how the conversations themselves offer the most joy to those on both sides of the phone call.
鈥淲e talked for well over 30 minutes, and at the end of the phone call, he thanked me profusely for the call, simply saying, 鈥業 live alone; It鈥檚 been so long since I鈥檝e talked to anyone like this. Thank you for talking to me.鈥� 鈥�
She went on to describe how the advice Chatty Cats receive from alumni is invaluable to shaping a student鈥檚 time at WCU. 鈥淗earing what worked well and what didn鈥檛 for alumni during their studies can genuinely change your outlook on things, and alter how you perform certain tasks for the better. It鈥檚 so cool to hear so many peoples鈥� stories and perspectives.鈥�
Though the two bullet points on Garcia鈥檚 r茅sum茅 may seem wildly different upon first glance, she said they actually go hand-in-hand. Garcia saw firsthand through her father鈥檚 experience how jarring and mentally taxing it can be for active duty and veteran individuals to acclimate back to civilian life after serving. Therefore, Garcia stressed the importance of having robust resources to support these individuals in their transition periods.
鈥淢aking sure areas of campus like the r, the Center for Career and Professional Development, and even the University Center, where the Veterans Resource Center is housed, provide the support needed for veterans is important. Things like technology upgrades, facility enhancements, all these things play a role in providing resources to areas of campus that veterans most heavily rely on. My job in philanthropy, as a Chatty Cat, helps directly ensure this support.鈥�
Whether it be through the Student Veterans Association, the Chatty Cat engagement officer program, or another area, Garcia hopes her fellow students take the time to truly appreciate the opportunities and resources WCU offers its students. 鈥淚 love WCU because of the sense of community it gives everyone. Everyone is able to find a place here at Western, wherever that place may be.鈥�
Learn more about WCU's newly launched Military and Veterans Alumni Society
Current students interested in becoming a Chatty Cat engagement officer can learn more at and can .
Consider supporting military and veteran students by making a gift during.
