Monteigne Long detailed her transition from K-12 education to higher
education and her steadfast dedication to supporting student veterans.
With over 14 years of experience in veteran services, Long has played a
pivotal role in developing comprehensive programs and initiatives that
benefit military-connected students across the Texas A&M University
System, encompassing 10 campuses and serving more than 12,000
military-affiliated students.
Her experience working with veterans
and military families includes her tenure at the University of Southern
California and her current role at Texas A&M University. Her focus
has always been on fostering engagement, leadership, and success among
student veterans.
The Texas A&M University
System is one of the largest in the nation, with over 150,000 students
across 11 campuses, including a mix of research universities, regional
institutions, and historically black colleges and universities. The
system serves more than 12,000 military-connected students, with about
1,100 veterans at the main College Station campus. Its long history of
military service includes strong partnerships with state agencies such
as FEMA and a commitment to serving veterans and their families.
Key initiatives include the Veteran Promise
Program, which guarantees future educational opportunities for veterans,
and the Meals for Vets program that provides food security.
Each
campus features a dedicated Veterans Center, staffed to address the
specific needs of military-affiliated students. Programs like first-year
seminars for veterans and Veteran Upward Bound at Texas A&M
Kingsville help ease the transition to higher education.
Monteigne emphasized the
importance of partnerships with organizations such as the Texas Veterans
Commission and Wounded Warrior Project to provide comprehensive
support.
Collaboration with military installations and state agencies
ensures seamless transitions from service to education. Strategic
admissions advisors work closely with military personnel, helping them
navigate their academic journey from enlistment to graduation.
Monteigne highlighted the
transformative impact of the Hazelwood Act, a Texas benefit that waives
tuition and fees for eligible veterans and their dependents, making
education more accessible.
This benefit plays a vital role in attracting and supporting military families within the state.
Innovative
Tools for Accessibility An interactive map on the Texas A&M
University System website helps prospective students identify and
connect with resources at the campus of their choice.
Accessibility to services and streamlined communication among the campuses ensures a cohesive support system.
The Texas A&M University System
promotes a veteran-inclusive culture through its core values of
leadership, loyalty, and selfless service. Each campus tailors its
support to reflect its unique strengths while maintaining strong
collaboration across the system. Monteigne underscored the importance of
creating a sense of belonging and community for student veterans,
helping them achieve academic and personal success.
Actionable Items:
- Enhance the interactive campus map to improve accessibility for prospective and current students.
- Expand successful veteran-focused initiatives, such as Veteran Upward Bound, to additional campuses.
- Continue strengthening the veteran-inclusive culture across all
campuses by leveraging Texas A&M’s rich military heritage and
values.
https://www.tamu.edu/index.html
https://www.tamu.edu/veterans/index.html
#vetsos #VeteranSupport #HigherEducation #MilitaryFamilies #TexasAMUniversity #StudentSuccess