Veterans and those still serving have the benefit of year-round resources and camaraderie at Black Hawk College.
Marine veteran Thomas Reagan, BHC Coordinator of Veterans Services, is dedicated to helping veterans and active military members transition into civilian life.
Reagan is a source for veterans to learn more about their options through the GI Bill®, formally known as the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944.
The GI Bill® provides educational benefits, helping qualifying veterans by covering all or some of the expenses for college and training programs.
Reagan also helps veterans navigate selecting an opportunity and completing the needed GI Bill® paperwork.
The Lane Evans Veterans Resource Center at the Quad-Cities Campus includes a lounge area, a decompression room and work stations with computers.
The center was dedicated in 2015 to Evans, a former U.S. congressman, a Marine veteran and BHC alumnus.
Reagan’s office is next to the Lane Evans Veterans Resource Center. He is also available at 309-796-5501, through email, and by appointment at the East Campus.
Read on to learn what students have to say about the benefits Black Hawk College has to offer veterans and active military members.
Name: Brandon Corbin
Hometown: Colona
Military branch: U.S. Army
BHC program: Computer Information Technology – Network Administration Associate in Applied Science
What are the benefits of veterans/military services available at Black Hawk College?
“The center has allowed me to be able to come either early or between classes to do some further studying. It is a big convenience for helping with academics and being able to get more connected with the school itself. It provides a lot of services besides just academic. Through the association (BHC Student Veterans of America) I’ve been able to go out and do public speaking and Tom helped connect me with VA job fairs. Also, having the camaraderie aspect lets you get to know a lot more people.”
Name: Luke DeMink
Hometown: Sherrard
BHC program: Associate in Science
Military branch: U.S. Navy Reserve
What is the benefit of veterans/military services available at Black Hawk College?
“There are all sorts of avenues for help for all students, and especially us veterans. This Veterans Center has actually been a godsend since I started back at school. One of the main reasons is it is a separate space to relax around people that share that camaraderie. It’s been such a help. If I need counseling or help, there’s Tom. If I need a space to relax or decompress, it’s in the back.”
Name: Andre Lewis
Hometown: Davenport
Military branch: U.S. Navy, U.S. Navy Reserve
BHC program: Associate in Science
What are the benefits of veterans/military services available at Black Hawk College?
“As far as coming on board, trying to navigate the GI Bill® and the VA, and also trying to get started within the school year, I think that this resource center is helpful in a great way. You have a point of contact that you can go and sit down and have a conversation with to discuss your next step, how you can use your benefits, and do it in a timely manner.”
Name: Tim Woloszyn
Hometown: Rockford
Military branch: U.S. Army
BHC program: Practical Nursing (LPN)
What are the benefits of veterans/military services available at Black Hawk College?
“They’re amazing. Tom does a great job keeping up with what we have to do to re-certify benefits and everything. I am happy to have this place. It definitely helps with stress relief, it’s a good decompression zone, and a great place to meet new vets. It’s very welcoming.”
care package drive
To connect even more, students can join the BHC Student Veterans of America.
The club provides advocacy, support, referrals and awareness of the needs of BHC military students and veterans in our community.
The BHC Student Veterans of America club is collecting cash donations and care package items to send to troops serving overseas through Friday, Dec. 6.
Want to help? Donations can be dropped off at:
- Quad-Cities Campus – Veterans Resource Center, Building 4, Room 117 or Room 118
- East Campus – Building A, library
The BHC Student Veterans of America club is partnering with the USO of Illinois for this project.
Get connected
Veterans Resource Center
Quad-Cities Campus
Building 4, Room 117
Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Other hours as needed.
Thomas Reagan
Coordinator of Veterans Services
Quad-Cities Campus
Building 4, Room 118
309-796-5501
reagant@bhc.edu
Read more about the ways Black Hawk College supports veterans and military students.