“The Johnson County Community College PAVE team continues to be highly successful in supporting and engaging with their military-connected students. They consistently host creative events, like a weekly fun run, and have exceeded their goals for both outreach and interactions. The team is also actively supporting each other with frequent team meetings and check-ins. Their consistency and dedication to their military-connected students have made it possible for the JCCC PAVE team to have a lasting positive impact on campus,” says Emma Czajka, PAVE Program Coordinator.

Johnson County Community College has just over 800 military-connected students on their campus. The JCCC PAVE team consists of two Veteran Services Coordinators, Gerardo Ruiz and Kena Zumalt, three Team Leaders, and eight Peer Advisors. Together they serve first-term military-connected students, with 55 enrolled in the PAVE program this term. 

The JCCC PAVE team has implemented an integrated approach to support, combining PAVE efforts with both SVA and the Student Ambassadors program on campus. The cooperation between the three programs has allowed the JCCC PAVE team to help create a widespread network of support and engagement opportunities for their military-connected students. According to Team Leader Yassin Ali, “It shows you as a Peer Advisor why it’s important to be involved on campus. If you’re looking for community, we’re building the community right here.”

The dedication to creating community is evident in the efforts of the JCCC PAVE team to engage with military-connected students about all of their needs. “There is community here to support them or find them resources that they need. Whether that’s on campus, off-campus, or finding them other resources that they need,” says Gerardo. At the center of this community is their Veteran Resource Center, where students can come to ask questions, meet with peers, or just hang out. “It reduces barriers,” said Kena, who has seen many students come in and find what they needed in the center over the years. 

They’ve built a robust network of support and resources for the military-connected students that they serve. They continue to innovate ways to engage with their students and build strong and lasting connections that make a positive difference for the military-connected students on campus.

Keep up the great work, JCCC PAVE team!