By Jeannette Cruz
GCU Today Magazine
Grand Canyon University's Veterans Center was established in 2013 to ease the transition from military service to the classroom by providing counseling, tuition-reduction programs and help in finding jobs.
The center also serves as a gathering place for the 650 student veterans on campus, said Elizabeth Bogensperger, an Air Force veteran and the Veterans Center resource coordinator.
“We want to strengthen our veteran support and use the best practices while we grow the veteran presence on campus,” Bogensperger said. “Although we’re a baby university and a baby program, we’re making gains and we hope to be a veteran-friendly community.”
The space, located in Building 18, Room 100, is a small, relaxed hub with couches, patriotic pillows, computers and a television.
“When you are in the military lifestyle, there’s order, there’s structure, there’s chain of command, and it’s definitely hard to turn that off and figure out who you are,” Bogensperger said. “In the military, asking questions is sometimes a sign of weakness, but GCU is trying to open those doors and bridge that gap by giving them a place on campus. They need to know that they have a lot to offer — they just need to settle in and find their purpose.”
Contact Jeannette Cruz at (602) 639-6631 or jeannette.cruz@gcu.edu.
