OCP interview on 101.5
State Colleges See Surge In Military Enrollment - New Jersey 101.5 FM
Monday, September 27, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Guest Blog - My CVSP Experience, By Lauren DelRicci
After spending two and a half days with the speakers and attendees of Operation College Promise’s CVSP program on Stockton College campus, I had a few different feelings. Most importantly, I came out of the certificate program feeling wiser, armed with a wealth of knowledge on current VA benefits, different education programs, and the latest and greatest on everyone’s favorite -- Post 9/11 GI Bill.
I was also excited to share the resources with colleagues and students. I think that is the most valuable asset the CVSP program avails… the ability to bring the information back to the college or respective institution.
Finally, I had a distinct feeling of inspiration. I was inspired to continue being involved with the mobilization of veteran’s education outreach. I felt compelled to make a promise with myself to never quit efforts to reach the veteran or service-member, hopefully inspiring them in return to never quit their mission of achieving a degree in higher education.
As a part of the OCP advisory board, I will admit that among the feelings of wisdom, elation and inspiration was exhaustion! However, the time spent working on the project was worth it and at the end of the day when we watched our NBC broadcast at the Absecon VFW, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house!
Lauren DelRicci is a member of the OCP Advisory Board and the Certifying Official at Burlington County College. She is a graduate of Rowan University and a Navy veteran.
I was also excited to share the resources with colleagues and students. I think that is the most valuable asset the CVSP program avails… the ability to bring the information back to the college or respective institution.
Finally, I had a distinct feeling of inspiration. I was inspired to continue being involved with the mobilization of veteran’s education outreach. I felt compelled to make a promise with myself to never quit efforts to reach the veteran or service-member, hopefully inspiring them in return to never quit their mission of achieving a degree in higher education.
As a part of the OCP advisory board, I will admit that among the feelings of wisdom, elation and inspiration was exhaustion! However, the time spent working on the project was worth it and at the end of the day when we watched our NBC broadcast at the Absecon VFW, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house!
Lauren DelRicci is a member of the OCP Advisory Board and the Certifying Official at Burlington County College. She is a graduate of Rowan University and a Navy veteran.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Government at its Best!!
Dear Friends:
Happy Flag Day and Happy Birthday to the US Army!
It's been some time since my last posting and I hope to post more frequently in the coming months. OCP has been busy!!
I've entitled my June blog "Government at its Best" - not something you hear much these days, sadly.
I'll begin to put this title in perspective with a brief history of my career. I've done several "tours" in government. Like most professions, most of us rise throught the ranks beginning with the most menial of tasks. There's stuffing envelopes, answering the phone and responding to the constituent inquiries. These run the gamut from the norm (commenting on pending legislation), to the downright surreal (Michael Jackson stole my song while flying over my house).
As your career progresses, tasks become a bit more exciting. You may become, for example, the "Clips Girl", responsible for the crucial task of creating packets of daily newspaper articles. This is the entry-level PR job in government offices and one that virtually eliminates white from your outfit choices.
Later on you may be fortunate enough, as I was, to staff a committee in the Legislature or staff the Governor on a particular policy issue. This is where you really get a handle on how the system works and sometimes doesn't work. It's an enlightening, exciting and occasionally frustrating role. Here you truly see government at its best and its worst.
A few months back, I had the great fortune to come across a cause that I was sure would bring out the best in government. Now, to be sure, the best required some good, old-fashioned perserverance - what a mentor once referred to as "the very core of politics".
Enter George Lutz, founder of the Honor and Remember movement to establish a flag for the fallen. Having heard of the tragic loss of his son by sniper fire in Iraq, I eagerly volunteered to assist Mr. Lutz spread the word of his own "mission".
His goal, reasonable enough, was to establish this flag as an official reminder of those who had perished in any war. What better cause, I thought?
Mr. Lutz, arrived however, and I had yet to attain sponsorship for the Resolution of legislative support and frankly, was feeling both guilty and frustrated. His presentation, on the State House steps, received good media coverage though, and it was off to the Senate to find a sponsor and gather signatures.
I was nervous.
It had been 10 years since I held the title, "consultant", and my "lobbying skills" were undeniably rusty. We'll see how this goes (my trademark line of uncertainty), I mused as we meandered to the Senate Floor.
I approached each member, save one, with "I don't know if you remember me (fortunately they all did), but". Now, don't get me wrong, I think I've aged pretty gracefully but 10 YEARS??!!
And then a strange but wonderful thing happened, one by one, we called members out of those hallowed chambers as each graciously listened to Mr. Lutz's story, signed his petition and offered to sponsor necessary legislation. In each case, emotions ran high, tears were shed, voices crackled as they signed on to the cause.
Government, at its best, I thought...here it is.
Thanks to Senators Beach, Connors, Haines, Kyrillos, Van Drew and Vitale for their support and for demonstrating "New Jersey Government at its Best".
To learn more about the Honor and Remember Flag and follow Mr. Lutz on his 50 state tour, go to www.HonorandRemember.org
Thursday, March 4, 2010
What is a Servicemember Opportunity College (SOC)?
Hi All,
Since Stockton College recently was awarded membership in SOC, I imagine there's some curiosity as to what EXACTLY that means. It comes as no surprise that higher education, being somewhat of an abuser of acronyms, actually has two SOC issues currently. The first has to do with accounting principles developed under the Sarbanes-Oxley legislation and is far more convoluted than the one we'll be discussing today so save yourself and forget I mentioned it.
Now for SOC - Servicemembers Opportunity College Consortium....
Founded in 1972 with support from the Association of State Colleges and Universities and American Association of Community Colleges, the program seeks to assist servicemembers in their pursuit of a degree in higher education. It is a partnership with some 13 higher education organizations, the Department of Defense, and both the Active and Reserve components of the military. About 1800 institutions are members.
Why it necessary?
Well, soldiers move around a lot and in the 1970's, distance-learning or "online" courses didn't exist. That meant every move (or deployment) necessitated a new application, enrollment, and the dreaded attempts to transfer previously-earned credit. Obviously, all of these actions were cumbersome, frustrating and derogatory to the principle that the sacrifice of our military should be rewarded with the opportunity to earn a degree, not just credits.
Today, a plethora of options exist for our servicemembers that do simplify the process (distance-learning, on-base education centers, etc.), yet the mobility issue remains a substantial challenge for some potential students and a deterrence for others.
So how does the SOC consortium help?
To become a SOC member, institutions must adhere to a set of four criteria which reflect an understanding that servicemember students face some distinct obstacles due the nature of their military commitments. When a school applies to SOC, they agree to simplify processes for: transfer of credit, meeting the residency requirement, accepting military credit, experience and placement tests. In short, it reduces red tape and uses nationally accepted principles that evaluate and accept previous experience and credit as appropriate to the institution but are also flexible and equitable. Generally accepted transfer of credit guidelines have been established by the Joint Statement on the Transfer and Award of Credit, with similar framework for evaluating military experience is based on the ACE Guide to the Evaluation of Education Experience in the Armed Forces. More specific information on SOC guidelines, criteria and membership can be found at: http://www.soc.aascu.org/.
So there you have it....SOC in a nutshell.
With the influx of veterans on a mission to utilize their Post 9-11 GI Bill benefits, more and more institutions will likely seek membership in the SOC consortium which is a great thing for our veterans. To date, four of the nine NJASCU institutions are members, including Kean University, Ramapo College, Thomas Edison State College and Richard Stockton State College.
If your an educator, or a veteran for that matter, the SOC staff regularly hold workshops free-of-charge to create awareness of the Consortium. Check the Operation College Promise website, http://www.operationcollegepromise.com/ website for local offerings.
Since Stockton College recently was awarded membership in SOC, I imagine there's some curiosity as to what EXACTLY that means. It comes as no surprise that higher education, being somewhat of an abuser of acronyms, actually has two SOC issues currently. The first has to do with accounting principles developed under the Sarbanes-Oxley legislation and is far more convoluted than the one we'll be discussing today so save yourself and forget I mentioned it.
Now for SOC - Servicemembers Opportunity College Consortium....
Founded in 1972 with support from the Association of State Colleges and Universities and American Association of Community Colleges, the program seeks to assist servicemembers in their pursuit of a degree in higher education. It is a partnership with some 13 higher education organizations, the Department of Defense, and both the Active and Reserve components of the military. About 1800 institutions are members.
Why it necessary?
Well, soldiers move around a lot and in the 1970's, distance-learning or "online" courses didn't exist. That meant every move (or deployment) necessitated a new application, enrollment, and the dreaded attempts to transfer previously-earned credit. Obviously, all of these actions were cumbersome, frustrating and derogatory to the principle that the sacrifice of our military should be rewarded with the opportunity to earn a degree, not just credits.
Today, a plethora of options exist for our servicemembers that do simplify the process (distance-learning, on-base education centers, etc.), yet the mobility issue remains a substantial challenge for some potential students and a deterrence for others.
So how does the SOC consortium help?
To become a SOC member, institutions must adhere to a set of four criteria which reflect an understanding that servicemember students face some distinct obstacles due the nature of their military commitments. When a school applies to SOC, they agree to simplify processes for: transfer of credit, meeting the residency requirement, accepting military credit, experience and placement tests. In short, it reduces red tape and uses nationally accepted principles that evaluate and accept previous experience and credit as appropriate to the institution but are also flexible and equitable. Generally accepted transfer of credit guidelines have been established by the Joint Statement on the Transfer and Award of Credit, with similar framework for evaluating military experience is based on the ACE Guide to the Evaluation of Education Experience in the Armed Forces. More specific information on SOC guidelines, criteria and membership can be found at: http://www.soc.aascu.org/.
So there you have it....SOC in a nutshell.
With the influx of veterans on a mission to utilize their Post 9-11 GI Bill benefits, more and more institutions will likely seek membership in the SOC consortium which is a great thing for our veterans. To date, four of the nine NJASCU institutions are members, including Kean University, Ramapo College, Thomas Edison State College and Richard Stockton State College.
If your an educator, or a veteran for that matter, the SOC staff regularly hold workshops free-of-charge to create awareness of the Consortium. Check the Operation College Promise website, http://www.operationcollegepromise.com/ website for local offerings.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
OCP
Hey Everyone. I thought the best way to start was a little history of OCP. The project began with just a small concept....utilize the limited resources available to eliminate the obstacles that hinder veterans from accessing their entitlements. We didn't have any money but we did have a website so on our lunch, a couple staffers and myself started gathering some info and a few months down the line we launched a website...nothing fancy at first just a location where vets could access a more comprehensive group of resources. This web resource was known as Operation Promise for Servicemembers and exists today as the online clearinghouse for the expanded Operation College Promise (OCP) project.
A little about me...I'm not a veteran just a regular civilian who never truly took the time to understand the sacrifice that my WWII-era family members endured serving our country. Indeed, they gave a great deal to their country and I take pride in what contributions they made that afford me to live in a free land.
In the early days of the OIF/OEF deployments, I organized several "Support The Troops" rallies and was truly inspired. These events gave me purpose in backing up those brave souls heading overseas to fight today's wars.
Is it my ancestors, the strange set of circumstances that led me to organizing these events or just a clear sense of satisfaction I get in doing my small part that drives me? I don't know, but I know I'm blessed with a passion and the ability to give back, even just a little, each and every day.
A little about me...I'm not a veteran just a regular civilian who never truly took the time to understand the sacrifice that my WWII-era family members endured serving our country. Indeed, they gave a great deal to their country and I take pride in what contributions they made that afford me to live in a free land.
In the early days of the OIF/OEF deployments, I organized several "Support The Troops" rallies and was truly inspired. These events gave me purpose in backing up those brave souls heading overseas to fight today's wars.
Is it my ancestors, the strange set of circumstances that led me to organizing these events or just a clear sense of satisfaction I get in doing my small part that drives me? I don't know, but I know I'm blessed with a passion and the ability to give back, even just a little, each and every day.
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