The Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Education Center hosted an education fair at the Fort Myer Community Center Oct. 21. Representatives from more than 30 colleges attended in an effort to help Soldiers and their Families take advantage of the opportunities the Army provides for a higher education. This year’s theme was ‘‘Run the Race of Success: Set Your Pace with Education.”
‘‘The education fair happens every year to kick start our servicemembers into getting back into school, and the fair corresponds with many colleges fall terms,” said Karen Powell, education counselor. ‘‘We start early to secure the location, invite different colleges, and get the announcements out there to make sure servicemembers, their Family members, and the community in general are aware of the education fair programs.”
Representatives from accredited schools like Northern Virginia Community College, Anne Arundel Community College and others offered servicemembers and their Families an overview of their associate’s degree programs while accredited universities like George Mason University, the University of Virginia and many other colleges offered admittance information for servicemembers and their Families to pursue undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
‘‘I’m here because I really want to further my education, and all of the information is here,” said Spc. Ricketa Patterson, 529th Regimental Support Company. ‘‘They have so much to offer today. It is a lot to choose from, and I am learning a lot.”
Army services such as GoArmyEd, and Military OneSource were represented at the fair. The GoArmyEd Web site at www.goarmyed.com is the portal for Soldiers to use to request tuition assistance for college courses online and in the classroom. Military OneSource at www.militaryonesource.com launched a 24-hour call center last year to provide a number of resources for education, crisis support and a number of other services for Soldiers and their Families.
Staff members from the education center were available to provide information briefings to servicemembers and their Families on veteran’s benefits, such as the new Post 9⁄11 G.I. Bill, military spouse programs and College 101, a tool that helps with the college process.
‘‘My top expectations were Soldier and school participation, and these objectives were met,” said Rosalind Strickland, chief of the education division.
The education center is designed to show Soldiers and their Families the Army’s part in aiding in financing and obtaining a higher education. For more information about the education fair or the programs offered through Joint Base-Myer Henderson Hall Education Center call (703) 696-1541.
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