The Evergreen State College (TESC), a public liberal arts school in Olympia, has more than 200 veterans currently enrolled, and although that only accounts for five percent of its undergraduate student population, the college is dedicated to improving things for its former military students.

In 2008, they formed a veteran peer group in order to establish processes and advise how the school could best serve its veteran students. That committee made a total of 14 recommendations and the last one was realized this fall, when the Veterans Center was opened on campus.

The Veterans Center, which is open to any veteran student whether they are taking one class or a full course-load, is located on the first floor of the library and offers advice, counseling, informational materials and an area for socializing.

"The reason I came to Evergreen to take this job was because I was really impressed with how they treat veterans and how they evaluate their military experience and translate it into credits," explained retired Naval Cmdr. Thomas "Randy" Kelley, director of the new Veterans Center.

"I was drawn to Evergreen due to the diversity in the curriculum and the great technology, plus I received transfer credits from my military career based on my vocational experience," shared Matt Ebarb, who spent five years in the Navy and is now a TESC senior. "What I got out of it was a lot more than what I had hoped."

"The ability to design your own curriculum and get what you want out of your college education is exactly what sets TESC apart," Ebarb continued.

Kelley is intent on "taking the show on the road" since he believes the product is worth spreading to the entire military community. So, in 2014, he will be working to create satellite campuses on both Joint Base Lewis-McChord and Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.

"Evergreen offers resources to help all its students, but especially its veteran population to help them succeed in whatever academic pathway they choose," said fulltime student and 11-year Army veteran Ty Somerville. "It provides a safe place to grow in your educational endeavors and in your transition from military to civilian life."

Somerville, who also works as an admissions counselor for incoming veteran students, also highlighted the unique learning platform at Evergreen, citing the notion of interconnecting subject matters because he felt it mirrors the real world.

"TESC is a place that doesn't just talk the talk, they walk the walk and its commitment to those servicemembers who want to complete their education is unmatched," Somerville added.

TESC even offers a course designed for veterans, active-duty military and dependents that are beginning their college career at Evergreen. The course, entitled "Crossing the Bridge Between Military and Academic Life," is taught by a professor who is also a veteran, and is intended to ensure that these students get the most out of their education.

"There's a lot of troops returning home that want to get an education and I want Evergreen to be there to offer them the best programs and best credits for their real experience," Kelley said. "I would dare say there is not another school in the state that can offer what we do."

TESC is located at 2700 Evergreen Parkway N.W., in Olympia. For more information, visit www.evergreen.edu or contact the TESC Veterans Center at 360.867.6254.