Wayland Baptist University will be constructing a “Virtual Center of Excellence for Veteran Student Success” thanks to a nearly $600,000 taxpayer-funded grant from the United States Department of Education.
The virtual center is being established for Wayland students affiliated with the military. There are currently over 500 veterans enrolled at the school, according to the WBU press release.
Dr. Elane Seebo, the senior assistant to the WBU president, said the new center will benefit veterans on campus and around the world.
“With this Department of Education grant, Wayland can take the next step in expanding the services we can provide to veterans across the world,” Seebo shared in the press release.
“As the wife of a veteran who proudly served our country for more than 30 years, it was particularly gratifying for me to be allowed to participate in the grant process, and I know our veterans will benefit from and appreciate more readily available services wherever they are,” she continued.
Wayland has a military-affiliated population geographically dispersed across six states and territories — Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Alaska, Hawaii, and American Samoa — as well as online, all of whom will benefit from the virtual center.
Wayland University President Dr. Bobby Hall stated that Seebo was an important part of getting the funding for the school.
“Although many were involved in preparing this grant, I am particularly appreciative of the leadership of Dr. Elane Seebo in leading this grant submission and seeing it through to success. In numerous ways, this will benefit many of our students going forward,” Hall said in the press release.
In addition to the Virtual Center of Excellence for Veteran Student Success, Wayland will also offer a first-year seminar specifically for veterans. Through the virtual center, new veteran recruitment activities will be implemented, a veteran services advisory board will be established, and a veteran services coordinator will be hired.
Career services, mental health, disability support, tutoring, and other types of support for veterans will also be increased with the new funding, the WBU press release shares. Staff and faculty members will receive additional training specifically for supporting veteran students.
Wayland expects the virtual center to increase military-affiliated student enrollment.
Dr. David Bishop, the vice president of external campuses, said it is hoped veteran student success will increase as well.
“Success in this endeavor will provide the encouraging, supportive services exposing, and providing hands-on experience for the military-affiliated student so that students are more likely to pursue graduate degrees and successful careers,” Bishop said.
“We hope to create a one-stop shop, where veterans can engage in synchronous and asynchronous activities, participate in a (sic) mentor programming, and receive support post-graduation,” he continued.
Wayland received the Department of Education grant after sending out various applications in search of funding, according to the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Graduate Studies, Dr. Cindy McClenagan.
President Hall shared his hope for the school to build upon this start and earn more funding in the future.
“This is the latest success involving Wayland’s emphasis on securing federal grants. We are excited about not only this grant but also others that we hope to receive in the future,” Hall said.
Most veteran students at Wayland are in undergraduate programs (63%), with the rest (37%) in graduate programs.
