Active members of the U.S. Armed Forces as well as veterans and their dependents are invited to Cameron’s University’s Veterans Resource Fair, held in conjunction with the national observance of Veterans Day. The two-day event will feature representatives from numerous local, state and federal organizations that offer assistance to veterans, military service members and their dependents. The CU Veterans Resource Fair is slated for Monday, November 8, and Tuesday, November 9, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the first floor of the McMahon Centennial Complex. The building is located at University Drive and D Avenue. Visitor parking is available across the street.
“Cameron University’s Veterans Resource Fair is designed to offer information about a wide-ranging variety of military/veteran-related organizations,” says Vicki Henson, Assistant Director of Financial Assistance Services and Coordinator of Veterans Affairs. “We look forward to hosting veterans from across southwest Oklahoma.”
Alfred Finch, VetSuccess on Campus (VSOC) counselor at Cameron University, will be available to assist current students using VA educational benefits with specialized career, financial and personalized counseling services and employment search assistance. In addition to assisting prospective CU VA educational beneficiaries in their transition from military to college life, he provides information about the Federal Department of Veteran Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) program. VR&E includes assistance with job training, employment accommodations, resume development, independent personal business initiation and job-seeking skills coaching.
Rachel Barber, Legal Administrative Specialist/Public Contact Outreach Specialist, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Veterans Service Center at Fort Sill, will be available to provide information, answer questions and discuss other types of VA benefits.
The Red River Center, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, provides readjustment counseling and information resources to veterans and focuses on services that help veterans make the difficult transition between military and civilian life.
Representatives from the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA) will be available to assist with claims before the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA). Claims officers are accredited with a number of service organizations in order to better represent the claimant with claims and appeals. Claims officers will assist in the appeals process, and if necessary, represent the claimant at a personal hearing before the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Officer.
Oklahoma Works - American Job Network (including veteran services) will have a representative available, as will the Oklahoma National Guard.
The Red Cord, an organization committed to eliminating human trafficking, will share information about its services. The organization focuses on education and awareness of human trafficking and how to prevent and report it. The nation’s military population is likely to be impacted by human trafficking. The Veterans Resource Fair is happy to include the Red Cord, as awareness is the key to prevention.
Staff members from Cameron’s Student Enrichment Center will be available to share information about the resources available, which includes personalized non-academic support, coaching sessions aimed at increasing study skills, access to various community resources to help meet food, housing, and health care needs, job shadowing and internships, financial literacy and more.
Cameron’s Office of Student Support Services (SSS) will also be available. SSS is a federally funded Title IV program whose mission is to offer appropriate academic support services to Cameron students who have academic need, are first generation, have an economic need, or students with disabilities.
The George D. Keathley Department of Military Science at CU will have representatives available, as will CU’s Student Veterans of America chapter, which will provide information about the organization, activities and services.
The CU Office of Veterans Affairs will provide general information about utilization of VA educational benefits. To learn more, call 580-581-2301 or email VA@cameron.edu.
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