Montgomery County Community College’s Coordinator of Veterans Services Michael Brown participated in the Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee’s roundtable discussion in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 14 to advocate for veterans.

As a leader in the veteran community, Brown was asked a few weeks ago by U.S. Senator Robert Casey Jr. to appear on the panel as his guest to discuss veterans issues.

The other panelists included Bob Wallace, executive director of the Veterans of Foreign Wars; Dana Atkins, president/chief executive officer of the Military Officers Association of America; Garry Augustine, executive director of Disabled American Veterans; Jon Soltz, chief executive officer of Vote Vets; Matthew Shuman, national legislative division director for the American Legion, Allison Jaslow, executive director for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America; and Nick Babcock, president of the Farmer Veteran Coalition of Michigan.

According to their website, the Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee fosters dialogue between Senate Democrats and leaders from across the nation. Each year, the Steering Committee hosts numerous meetings with advocates, policy experts, and elected officials to discuss key priorities and enlist their help in the development of the Senate Democratic agenda.

Working in higher education, Brown spoke about the importance of access to education through the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act, also known as the “Forever GI Bill®” and how education open doors for them. According to the American Council on Education, more than 5 million veterans will transition out of the military by the year 2020, and Brown will speak of the importance of meeting their needs not only nationally, with the “Forever GI Bill®” but also locally with opportunities once they come home.

He also spoke about some of the challenges they face as they transition from military to academic life.

“Adjusting to life after the military can be difficult for some,” said Brown, who is a U.S. Army veteran. “At Montgomery, we try to make this transition smoother. We have a designated Veterans Resource Center where I meet with veterans, and they can learn about available resources on campus and in the community. Through our Student Veterans Organization and our annual Mindfulness Retreat, veterans have opportunities to develop friendships and share their feelings and concerns.”

Brown further discussed the possible need for an undersecretary for the Veterans Administration. This person would be an advocate for veterans, listening to their concerns and ensuring their needs are being met, including their higher education requirements. He also talked about the role of the Department of Defense in the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) program, and the need to make that program more robust, as military members exit out of the service.

Brown has been the Coordinator of Veterans Services at MCCC since July 2015. In this role, he is responsible for providing a wide array of services to support the 400+ veterans enrolled at MCCC. He helps veterans with their educational and professional goals and serves as the advisor for the Student Veterans Organization. He also coordinates the annual Mindfulness Retreat with MCCC’s Psychology professors Ann Marie Donohue and Deborah Greenspan.

In the community, Brown is an active member of the Fort Washingon American Legion and serves on the board for a local service dog organization, Alpha Bravo Canine, which provides service dogs to disabled combat veterans. At MCCC, Brown started a Veterans History Project in which he interviews and records the experiences of veterans. The interviews are archived at the College’s library in Blue Bell, and copies are sent to the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.

Prior to his employment at MCCC, Michael served as the Military and Veterans Affairs Director for U.S. Congressman Patrick Murphy from January 2009 through December 2010. He then worked in Veterans Court in Philadelphia, ensuring veterans were getting the assistance they needed. He has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

MCCC’s Veterans Resource Center provides services and assistance to veterans, service members, and spouse/dependents with their transition to college.

 

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.