By Dr. Nicole DeRamus, assistant vice president, Veterans Program UMGC, Stateside Military Operations
Transitioning from the military, interested in starting a business, or trying to understand your veteran educational benefits? Well, the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) was the place to be on April 28.
The UMGC Veterans Initiatives and Outreach (VIO) Office partnered with the Maryland Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) to create our first post-COVID onsite veterans event with the Military and Veteran Entrepreneur and Appreciation Fair (MVEAF).
This premier event provided a blend of employers, entrepreneur resources, and veteran service organizations to help military-connected students find the support and resources to answer those questions.
Military/veteran-connected students, staff, and alumni from all USM, MICUA and MD community colleges were invited to attend. Students from Johns Hopkins, University of Baltimore, as well as UMGC, benefited from the information available.
MVEAF highlighted veteran support services available to staff and students on the national, regional, and local levels to better serve veteran students in a holistic manner, and the fair was a primary conduit to introduce them to resources that will assist them in their education, their lives, and their
transition from the military. This event was truly one-stop shopping for DMV military-connected students.
Employers from the private sector, defense industry, cyber community, and federal law enforcement joined us to meet students and alumni face-to-face to discuss career opportunities and offer employment advice.
Entrepreneur resources provided guidance on steps needed to start a business. Veteran support organizations introduced resources focused on the physical, mental, educational, and financial, medical, and family wellbeing.
But the highlight and capstone of MVEAF was the veteran entrepreneur guest speakers - Robin Fortner and Laurie Sayles. These two Marine Corps veteran entrepreneurs regaled the audience with their experiences, wisdom, and profound advice in the travails of starting a business, how to maintain and progress within business and how veterans are uniquely poised to withstand the demands and challenges certain to come in such an endeavor.
To put a fine point on the event participants had the opportunity to sign up for professional headshots from Laurie Hatcher photography at no cost to attendees.
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