January 23, 2024
Undergraduate Internship supports programs and services
Our students come from an array of backgrounds and experiences. We strive to offer placements that can offer unique experiences and knowledge for students interested in learning about the military-connected populations. Tera Sparks completed her internship this Fall, supporting programs and services including our Veterans Day Event and our Food Pantry Initiative. We asked Tera […]
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January 23, 2024
Alumni Highlight
Dr. Brent Blackwell’s remarkable journey encompasses a transition from a frugal upbringing outside Chicago to esteemed accomplishments in the medical field. Joining the military at 17 year old, he sought direction and challenge, eventually serving as an Army Ranger combat medic in Afghanistan. His experiences there ignited a passion for medicine, leading him to the […]
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January 23, 2024
Graduate Internship helps with addressing needs of military-connected students
The Chez Veterans Center regularly hosts interns from different programs across the college. During the Fall, we hosted Cristian Pulgarin for his placement as he worked to support our mission. We asked Cristian to share about himself, his experience as an intern at the CVC, and his professional goals. Cristian writes: My name is Cristian […]
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January 22, 2024
Tips for Going to College as a Military Veteran
The Chez Veterans Center serves as leaders in supporting our military-connected through higher education. While our building not only exceeds ADA standards, we also support potential and current students with researching military-friendly colleges, engaging in campus life for better integration, utilizing military benefits, and converting military experience into college credits. Read the full article by […]
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January 19, 2024
Continued Partnering with Warrior-Scholar Project Program
After the success of last summer’s 2nd cohort of the Warrior-Scholar Project (WSP), featured on WCIA News, we are thrilled to be hosting our third cohort. This summer will be a one week STEM academic boot camp from July 18thru July 27 at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. During this academic boot camp, enlisted service […]
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January 19, 2024
Mask Exhibition with Road Home Project
The Chez Veterans Center hosted a poignant exhibit, shedding light on the often-overlooked struggles of military veterans coping with PTSD, showcasing the diversity of their trauma experiences. Presented by the RUSH Road Home Program, this display challenges misconceptions surrounding military trauma, highlighting its varied impact across different roles and branches. Read more about the exhibit […]
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January 19, 2024
2023 Chez Veterans Center Veterans Day Celebration
The Chez Veterans Center hosted their annual Veterans Day Celebration featuring Keynote Speaker, Mr. Samuel K. Skinner. Read more about the event and the 2023 Keynote Speaker in these articles: Daily Illini: Chez Veterans Center Hosts Veterans Day Celebration Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette: UI grad who served as chief of staff to elder Bush sees importance of […]
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January 19, 2024
Student Highlight
Student Highlight: Cloie Widell (Army National Guard) The Chez Veterans Center staff are proud of the work of our students. Cloie Widell was a work study, Resident Assistant, and overall leader for many of our military-connected students this Fall semester. We asked Cloie to share about herself and ways she strives to have a positive […]
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January 19, 2024
Food Pantry Initiative
Supporting our military-affiliated students experiencing food insecurity through our continuous food drive initiative has been an incredible journey marked by unwavering generosity and community kindness. Our food pantry has served students from all military backgrounds, including National Guard, Reserves, Veterans, and military-family members attending the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. Thanks to generous contributions from […]
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January 19, 2024
VA Partnership: SAVE Training and Advanced Care Planning Group
The Chez Veterans Center continues to grow programming to address students ever-changing needs. With our partnership with the VA Illiana Health Care System, we hosted two programs for students and community members. The SAVE Training provided an in-person course teaching attendees how to support a Veteran who may be in crisis or having suicidal thoughts. […]
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