Photos by John Eisele/CSU Photography
U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough recently paid a visit to Colorado State University as part of a nationwide tour of college campuses, meeting with student veterans and sharing important information on available government benefits.
The presidential cabinet member met with nearly a dozen student veterans on March 1 in a private roundtable discussion at the Lory Student Center, listening to their experiences, hearing their concerns and providing them with information and resources. During his hourlong visit, McDonough expressed his gratitude for the student veterans.
“We just want to thank them for what they’ve done to defend this country and the Constitution,” McDonough said. “And we thank them now for what they’re doing now and what they will do in the future. I have every confidence that every one of these veterans is a future leader of America.”
McDonough’s visit came on the heels of a Feb. 26 announcement that expanded health care to veterans who were exposed to toxins and other hazards while serving in the military, at home or abroad. The recent expansion of VA health care eliminates the phased-in approach called for by the PACT Act. Veterans can enroll directly in VA health care beginning on March 5. The secretary encouraged those on hand to meet with the VA to learn more.
McDonough also made note of new funding processes with the GI Bill. Student veterans who have their GI Bill benefits directly deposited into a different bank account than their other veterans’ benefits will have to choose one account to receive all payments by April 20.
“I see the impact of the GI Bill on campuses because I see veterans here getting additional skills,” he said. “But I also see the impact in boardrooms and government meeting rooms in businesses and nonprofits across the country because there are millions of veterans and family members, who — as a result of their benefits that they earned through their service — went back to school.”
CSU leader named vice chair to VA advisory committee
A week before U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough’s visit, Maggie Hall Walsh, executive director of community affairs at CSU, was appointed vice chair of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Family, Caregiver, and Survivor Advisory Committee.
This special committee provides recommendations to McDonough on the administration of VA benefits and support for the families, caregivers and survivors of veterans. Walsh previously served as a member of the committee and has played an active role in supporting veterans and military families in the CSU and Northern Colorado communities for many years. Some of her work has included supporting CSU’s Adult Learner, Veteran Services and ROTC programs.
“I am honored to serve on this important federal advisory committee,” Walsh said. “Often, families struggle to navigate veteran health care, benefits and other services earned through their loved one’s military service. Our job is to make sure VA is aware of challenges and has policies in place to smooth the path to assistance for military families, caregivers and survivors across the country.”
CSU senior Kevin Miller, a horticulture and landscape architecture major who served in the U.S. Army, was among the students on hand during the roundtable. Miller, who had previously seen the secretary speak in January, expressed his appreciation for the secretary’s visit to CSU.
“It shows that we’re finally having someone that is going out talking to us and getting boots on the ground,” he said. “It’s very comforting. It’s cool to see he’s going across to different universities and asking questions and seeing the issues that we’re having.”
McDonough was greeted by university leadership, which included Provost and Executive Vice President Marion Underwood and Vice President for Student Affairs Blanche Hughes. Representatives from CSU’s Adult Learner and Veteran Services, part of the Division of Student Affairs, also were on hand to welcome the secretary.
“It’s an extreme honor to have the secretary of the VA here to listen to student veteran concerns,” said ALVS Director Ben Schrader, who helped moderate the talk. “CSU has a vibrant veteran community, and we lead the way in ensuring that they are receiving the best opportunities and resources for student success.”
ALVS is designed to support increased academic achievement and holistic development for all adult learners, including but not limited to veterans and student parents, resulting in graduation from CSU and sustainable personal and professional success.
Because of resources such as the ALVS, the Military Times named CSU one of the best colleges for veterans in 2023, an honor the university has regularly garnered for the past decade.
