ICC has now joined over 1,500 colleges and universities nationwide in establishing a Student Veterans of America (SVA) chapter on its campus. The local chapter known as Indy CC SVA now provides the student body of ICC with an official campus organization that actively supports military-affiliated students in their efforts to transition from the military to academic life.
Incorporated in 2008, the national organization has over 754,000 members in the local chapters found in all 50 states, U. S. territories and 3 foreign countries. Student Veterans of America® (SVA) elevates the academic, professional, and personal development of veterans in higher education through chapter programs and services, outcomes and impacts research, and advocacy at every level. With a mission focused on empowering student veterans, SVA is committed to providing an educational experience that goes beyond the classroom.
The Indy CC SVA chapter meets regularly in the Veteran Student Success Center on the ICC main campus offering membership to all ICC students who want to support veteran students. The local chapter recently installed its very first club president, Maurice Henderson. As a disabled U. Army veteran from Dublin, Georgia, he has used his well-earned VA benefits to complete a degree in Computer Information Systems. He now expects to complete a Web Development Certificate at ICC in May of 2023 and return to the private-sector labor market.
As a former civilian truckdriver and a gunner on an Army Humvee in Iraq, both experiences influenced his desire to return to college to use his VA benefits in preparation for a much-needed and greatly-desired career change. “After 9/11, I was motivated to join the military and was proud and honored to do so. I’m very thankful that I made it back and feel fortunate to now have access to the educational opportunities that my service, the VA and ICC provides.”