“There are so many sacrifices they’ve made for themselves and their families. We may not ever know the extent of their sacrifice – but they are being made.”

Laura Murphy-Belser, WVC Veteran Education Program Specialist

After almost 15 years of working at Wenatchee Valley College, Laura Murphy-Belser, Veteran Education Program Specialist, continues to make meaningful connections with hundreds of student veterans and their families.

From the process of enrollment to their day-to-day success on campus, Laura is involved. Her work connecting students to financial resources has far-reaching effects. 

“Sometimes I am interacting with an individual a year or more before they even separate from military service, in preparation for their enrollment at WVC. I help students apply for financial aid and for education benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA).”

Laura is also responsible for ensuring WVC is in compliance with the Washington Student Achievement Council’s State Approving Agency, the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board, and the USDVA so her program can continue to operate and assist student veterans and dependents in obtaining their education.

“I approve, monitor and report to the VA, students’ classes, grades and academic progress. “Meeting with students and their families and connecting them with campus and community resources is also a significant part of what I do.”

Veteran students face unique challenges in getting an education, and Laura’s work offers a solution. 

“There are so many sacrifices they’ve made for themselves and their families,” she said. “We may not ever know the extent of their sacrifice – but they are being made.”

Laura said that resources like counseling services, USDVA medical services, WorkSource and SkillSource for employment opportunities all play a part in the student veterans’ success.

Laura said the WVC Foundation is also able to help student veterans in many ways. 

“Scholarships, Veteran Internship funding, the Knights Care Fund and the Knight’s Kupboard have been huge resources for many student veterans,” she said. “These programs have made the difference in whether a student can continue on with their schooling. Something that may seem small to one of us could make all the difference to somebody else and give them that little boost to keep them going.”

 

To support students with a charitable gift, donate to the WVC Foundation at wvc.edu/give.