NECC Veterans Services coordinator Jeff Williams stands in the new Veterans Center upstairs in the One-Stop Center

Veterans visiting or attending Northern Essex Community College have a place to call their own now that the new Veterans Center has opened on the top floor of the One-Stop Student Center on the Haverhill campus.

Under the direction of Jeffrey Williams, NECC’s Veterans Services Coordinator, the center is welcoming to all veterans and veterans’ college-age dependents.

Designed for better accessibility and visibility for veterans, the center should be the first stop on their journey to receiving a college education.

Williams, himself a veteran, says he should be one of the first people veterans meet with when they visit the campus. He helps them navigate the veterans’ educational benefit process; access their Joint Service Transcripts; and review degree programs. Once the paperwork is completed he escorts them to the registration area to enroll in classes. Williams is also able to connect vets with counseling and housing specialists.

After attending various veterans’ meetings throughout the state and as the number of NECC veterans and dependents of veterans grew to more than 200, Williams says it became clear NECC needed a designated space for veterans.

The space, which includes a work cubicle for Williams, also holds a small sitting area, and a computer work station for a veteran, work-study student. The station can also be used by all veterans to complete paperwork.

As he settles into the new space, Williams says, he dreams of a space outfitted with comfortable seating, a bank of computer work stations, veteran-themed art for the walls and service flags for every branch of the service.

Eventually, Williams said, he would like his office to be able to make sashes, cords, challenge coins, and honor certificates available to graduating veterans.

For additional information contact Jeffrey Williams at jwilliams@necc.mass.edu or visit the Veterans Services website https://www.necc.mass.edu/academics/support-services/veterans-services/