The Lane Evans Veterans Resource Center is a spot for student veterans to take a break, but it is also a place where they gain momentum.
The center connects veterans and active military members with the resources they need to help them transition into college life.
New Veterans Coordinator
Thomas Reagan, the new Coordinator of Veterans Services, recently stepped into the role after the previous coordinator retired.
Marine veteran Reagan is from a military family. His dad and other relatives also served, and he has two sons currently serving.
When he read the job description and saw that it was focused on serving veterans, he knew he needed to apply for it.
“I’ve got a big heart for veterans,” Reagan said. He also has a history of service to others.
Reagan retired from his position as a police captain at the East Moline Police Department in September and started working at Black Hawk College a few days later.
He works with veterans to help them understand their options through the GI Bill®, select an opportunity and complete the needed paperwork.
“I’m kind of a one-stop shop,” he said.
Student veteran perspective
Reagan also serves as the advisor for BHC’s Military Students and Veterans Club (MSVC). The club is a charter member of the Student Veterans of America.
The center is at the Quad-Cities Campus and includes a lounge area complete with couches, a fridge, microwave, snacks and coffee.
The center has work stations with computers for student veterans and a decompression room. An armchair, art station and a work station are in that room, which is a quiet room.
Lillian Schatz of Rock Island is an Army veteran and the president of MSVC. She is earning her associate degree in nursing (ADN), and said Black Hawk College is a great place to transition from military to civilian life.
“I feel like I belong,” she said, while hanging out in the Veterans Resource Center after a club meeting. “It’s a good place.”
Navy veteran Luke DeMink of Sherrard is earning an Associate in Science and agrees. “This center is like a second home,” he said.
Making connections
In addition to community activities, MSVC also does social events together.
Spending time at the Veterans Resource Center or being active in MSVC are ways student veterans can connect with each other.
Reagan’s office is on the way into the center, and he is there for student veterans who need a listening ear and can help get them in touch with a BHC counselor.
Having different life experiences and an age gap between themselves and college students who recently graduated from high school can also make it hard to relate or fit in.
At the Resource Center, though, there is always someone they can relate to who can help them navigate college.
Student veteran and student worker Schatz is one of those welcoming faces. “We all have each other’s six here,” she said.
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
Building 4, Room 118
309-796-5501
Reagant@bhc.edu
Read more about the ways Black Hawk College supports Veterans and Military Students.