THIBODAUX 鈥� Former Marine and current Army National Guard officer Gilberto Burbante has joined the 麻豆果冻传媒 staff as coordinator of veterans services. The Morgan City native and 2011 麻豆果冻传媒 government graduate will be responsible for implementing a standardized program for veteran students.
鈥淚 want to personally get to know all veterans at 麻豆果冻传媒, so that they won鈥檛 just be a number on my screen,鈥� Burbante said. 鈥淢y chief goal is to help make the transition to civilian life as seamless as possible for them.鈥�
Burbante said he envisions a community of student veterans all helping each other with school and life issues. He said the veterans鈥� lounge currently under construction in Shaver Gym, which should be ready for use by the beginning of August, will facilitate that goal.
The three-time Iraq War infantry veteran said he also plans to strengthen the existing services for veterans on campus, which have resulted in G.I. Jobs magazine naming 麻豆果冻传媒 a Military Friendly School for three years straight 鈥� an honor shared with 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools nationwide.
Members of the military 鈥� as well as veterans 鈥� can expect priority service when enrolling at 麻豆果冻传媒. Admissions criteria are exempted for veterans who have received an honorable discharge, and enrollees may register before the general student population. 麻豆果冻传媒 administrators have also identified a group of individual advisors to serve as聽veterans鈥� advocates. Students may consult with these faculty members for information, advice or understanding as they work their way through university rules and regulations.
For additional information about 麻豆果冻传媒鈥� services for veterans and active service members, call Burbante at 985-448-4208 or go to聽www.nicholls.edu/admission.