By SARA GIBONEY
UNK Communications
KEARNEY – A meeting at the University of Nebraska at Kearney will address issues faced by area military members and veterans. The Nebraska Inter Service Family Assistance Committee is presenting a seminar from 9:30 a.m. to noon Thursday (April 9) in the Ockinga Seminar Center.
An ISFAC is a voluntary military-community partnership organized to allow service providers to engage in networking and connect service and family members and veterans with local military and community resources.
The goal of the group is to strengthen and develop assistance programs and networks. The committee meets once a year to share their services and discuss how to better serve the community.
During Thursday’s meeting, three UNK students who have served in the military will speak to the group about what it’s like to go to college after being deployed.
Senior athletic training major Chris Schwaderer of Mullen, senior social work major Christina Lemburg of Central City and senior business administration major Allen Smith of Kearney will help the committee learn what services are provided on campus and what services are needed on campus.
“We’ll be able to learn what the gaps are in the community or on campus,” said committee member Mary Sommers, the UNK director of Financial Aid and the veteran’s certifying official on campus. “We’ll learn what we can do in the community to make sure we have a welcoming environment for military or veteran students.”
Committee members will also share how their organizations provide services to military members and veterans in the community.
“It helps me become more aware of the military and veteran services in the community so I can better direct students where they need to go,” said Sommers.
The committee began meeting after 9/11 to learn how the community could support those who were being deployed. They address issues such as re-assimilating into civilian life, mental health issues, health care and more.
The meeting is open to the public.
NEBRASKA INTER SERVICE FAMILY ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE SCHEDULE
Thursday, April 9, UNK Ockinga Seminar Center
9:15 – 9:30 a.m. – Networking
9:30 – 9:45 a.m. – Welcome by Mary Sommers, director of financial aid, and Ed Scantling, associate vice chancellor for academic services and enrollment management
9:45 – 10 a.m. – Introductions
10 – 10:50 a.m. – Student veteran presentations
10:50 – 11:15 a.m. – Networking/Break
11:15 – 11:25 a.m. – Department of Veterans Affairs – John McNally/Joyce Heger, deputy director
11:25 – 11:35 a.m. – Veteran’s Task Force – Travis Karr, Central Community College veteran student coordinator
11:35 – 11:45 a.m. – Veteran Employment – Dick Burch, employment coordinator
11:45 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Closing remarks/Questions – Carey Wilson, family assistance specialist
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Source: Mary Sommers, 308.865.8520, sommersm@unk.edu
Writer: Sara Giboney, 308.865.8529, giboneys2@unk.edu
