Army veteran Bryan Flanery named outreach coordinator of veterans services program
UCM |
Army veteran Bryan Flanery has been appointed outreach coordinator of Lipscomb University's veteran services program.
Flanery, a veteran of the United States Army, brings recruiting, marketing and outreach expertise to the office, which oversees and administers Lipscomb’s Post 9/11 GI Bill Yellow Ribbon Program and its veteran services programs. In addition to his military career, Flanery was the outreach coordinator at Reboot Combat Recovery, where he was recognized as the 2015 Nashville Business Journal’s top veteran for his outreach and impact in the community with his work focusing on veterans and nonprofit organizations throughout Middle Tennessee. Flanery’s new role is funded in part by the university’s 2015 Reconnect Grant awarded by the state of Tennessee.
“Bryan possesses unique skills that directly correlate with Lipscomb’s mission, vision and focus. His expertise and experience makes his the right person to take Lipscomb to the next phase of commitment and service to our student veterans. He is passionate about transitioning veterans from service to student and his enthusiasm to change the lives of these men and women,” said Chad Staggs, director of veteran services.
Flanery began his career with the U.S. Army in 2008 as an artillery crewmember stationed at Schweinfurt, Germany. In 2009, he was assigned as a recruiter in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Following those assignments, Flanery returned as an artillery crewmember in 2010 with the 101st Airborne Division in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. In addition to Flanery’s service he has had several deployments to Afghanistan.
“My goal for veteran services over the next five years is to increase the number of students enrolled through the program to 500 per semester and to expand the program’s services among other initiatives to include support services for veterans,” said Flanery.
Flanery will complete his Bachelor of Science degree in social work from Lipscomb next May. Flanery and his wife, Jennifer, have three children: Gracie, 7; Kaid, 4; and Rylee, 1, and live in Clarksville, Tennessee.
This past fall, the veteran services program received a Veteran Reconnect Grant, a competitive grant focused on improving the success of student veterans enrolled in Tennessee colleges and universities. The $80,415 Veteran Reconnect Grant will be used to enhance the internal processes and services offered by the veteran services office as well as to hire an outreach coordinator to focus on recruiting new students, assisting with their transition to college life and retaining them.
In November, Lipscomb opened a new Veterans Resource Center located just behind Elam Residence Hall. The facility was funded in part by a $25,000 challenge gift from the Sentinels of Freedom organization. The center includes areas for veterans to study and fellowship, a computer, television, kitchen/eating area, lockers and a place to relax in between classes.
Lipscomb’s program has been recognized nationally for its quality. Military Advanced Education awarded Lipscomb the designation of a “Top Military-Friendly University” in its “2015 Guide to Military-Friendly Colleges & Universities.” Last year marked the sixth consecutive year that Lipscomb University was designated a Military-Friendly School by “GI Jobs,” a publication of Victory Media, for its veteran services program. In 2014, U.S. News also ranked Lipscomb as the second-best regional university in the South for veterans. The College of Business was ranked 24th in the nation in the Military Times’ 2013 Best for Vets: Business Schools Guide for veterans based on financial aid, academic policies and participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program.
For veterans who qualify for 100 percent of the Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits Lipscomb University has committed to allocate the necessary funds to allow them to earn a tuition-free undergraduate degree through the Yellow Ribbon Enhancement Program. The university also offers qualifying student veterans a variety of graduate degrees tuition-free or at a greatly reduced tuition rate.
For more information about Lipscomb University’s veteran services program, call 615.966.1013 or visit veterans.lipscomb.edu.