In the 21st century higher-education climate, active-duty military and veteran students have become one of the most important interest groups educators seek to capture, both because of the unique needs and challenges they face, as well as the civilian debt of gratitude owed to these selfless men and women. At Fayetteville Technical Community College, our service to military personnel, veterans and their respective families spans both local and international boundaries.

FTCC deeply understands the unique challenges military and veteran students face. FTCC’s MOS (Military Occupation Specialty) degree program helps soldiers complete their educations. Having achieved a #2 ranking in the Military Times “Best for Vets: Career and Technical Colleges” in 2013, FTCC has designed and launched a state-of-the-art learning assessment model based on the individual student’s Military Occupational Specialty. Such a method of turning military experience into a transferable credit is unique among military-friendly schools, and Fayetteville is leading the proverbial pack. We have also devised a flexible and individualized academic plan for military students, offering over 190 programs of study with substantial online opportunities and 8-week accelerated programs. These specific individualized curriculum tracks for key occupational classifications and academic programs map to military credentials, training, and experience. As such, FTCC serves a wide variety of constituents that represent all levels of preparation, expectation, and pursuit of success defined by a variety of descriptors.

Of FTCC’s more than 12,500 student population, more than 3,000 are military or veteran students. The college maintains multiple campuses that house state-of-the-art instructional and laboratory facilities, which support high-quality technical career prep programs. The school’s close proximity to the Fayetteville VA Medical Center provides an important synergy between the VA hospital’s military-friendly activities and FTCC’s Health Programs curricula and myriad of course offerings. FTCC’s health degree programs are a significant part of the college’s success, given that the healthcare industry is one of the fastest growing sectors of the American economy and projected to employ a significant portion of the country’s workforce.

In short, FTCC is fast becoming a true “educational gateway” for military personnel, from their recruitment, through their service, and into professions and careers post-active military service. Within six months of leaving the college, 93 percent of graduates find themselves employed; close to 40 programs boast a 100 percent placement rate. In the 2012 Community College Survey of Student Engagement, 87.2 percent of survey respondents reported that they would recommend FTCC to family and friends. This endorsement rings loud and clear — FTCC is working hard to give back to a community of learners who have sacrificed much for their country. Our educational and training services to special operations and conventional forces in the Army are especially important to our college and, more important, to the defenders of our freedom that we all treasure highly.

I invite you to visit our college soon to learn more about how FTCC can positively impact your life through education. Our Fayetteville, Spring Lake, and Fort Bragg campus locations, combined with online study, provide convenient options for everyone.

Photo: FTCC is fast becoming a true “educational gateway” for military personnel.