Washburn University forms new partnership with VA to better serve students

Washburn University is joining with the Topeka VA Medical Center in a new partnership to help veterans succeed in higher education. The partnership Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership(VITAL) – is designed to provide additional mental health support to veterans during their time at the university.

     “With the VITAL program, veterans will have seamless integration of the services available through the VA,” said Chris Bowers, military transitions advocate at Washburn University and Washburn Tech.

     VITAL will help veterans access care available through the VA Medical Center and even provide critical on-campus clinical counseling.  Work on the VITAL Center on the Washburn campus will get underway this summer with the official opening coming this fall.

     “This is a level of integration that we haven’t seen before and together, Washburn University and VITAL will provide the resources for Veterans to complete their education and move on to their civilian career,” said Bowers. 

     Bowers noted that VITAL is one part of a larger system of care available to Veterans, allowing them to access and utilize services and resources to meet their mental health and educational needs. VITAL fills a critical need by providing seamless access to VA healthcare and mental health counseling. 

      “This new partnership allows us to expand opportunities for our student-veterans,” said Crystal Leming, director of Washburn University’s Counseling Services.  “Allowing them the opportunity to receive a variety of services in one location is a clear advantage.  With their busy schedules, our student-veterans are much more likely to take advantage of the services if they are also convenient.”

       The program will be operated in conjunction with the VA’s Transition Care and Management Program.  Shannon Solander said this program is new to Kansas and she hopes it can become a model for other schools in the state looking to provide every possible advantage to help veterans earn their degrees or complete advanced training.

      “Washburn University already does a great deal to support veterans, but this new program should make the Washburn University and Washburn Tech even more attractive as veterans seek further education after completing their service,” said Solander.   

     Veterans who are not enrolled in VA healthcare and find out more about their benefits and the VITAL program by contacting the VA at 785-350-4511 to start the eligibility & enrollment process or by visiting: www.va.gov and clicking apply now.