Many student veterans may be returning to education after completing their deployment, balancing coursework with family responsibilities, or even pursuing their degree while maintaining their ongoing service commitments.
Whatever the context, it’s essential to recognize that each military student’s needs, goals, and definitions of success are unique to them and, oftentimes, different from those of traditional students.
For many military-affiliated students, community colleges’ affordability drives decision-making. Lower tuition rates allow education benefits, such as the GI Bill, to stretch further, helping minimize—and in some cases avoid—student loan debt. Whether they’re earning their associate degree or plan to transfer to a four-year university, military-affiliated students can maximize their tuition assistance by attending a community college for all or part of their education.
Student veterans may also be drawn to community colleges because of their diverse student populations. As illustrated by Sullivan, NCC’s military-affiliated students “range from [age] 18 to 73.”
Attending a school where the community reflects a wide range of ages and backgrounds creates a sense of familiarity among peers who bring all types of experience and real-world responsibilities into the classroom.
Like many college students, military-affiliated and student veterans gravitate to the wide range of degree and certificate programs community colleges offer, which provide an exploratory learning experience and help them discover career and academic options.
As Sullivan notes, NCC student veterans enroll in programs across disciplines—from interior design and theatre to biological science and criminal justice. This diversity of choice is supported by Northampton Community College’s 120+ degrees and certificates, spanning the trades, manufacturing, healthcare, social sciences, and more.
Not every military-affiliated student veteran comes to college with the goal of earning a degree. For many, education is a means of problem-solving, gaining a specific skill, or exploring a personal interest.
Sullivan explains that she had a student who came to her almost two years ago and said, “I have a GI Bill. I bought myself a truck. I just want to know how I can renovate my truck—that’s the only reason why I’m here.” Inspired by that goal, he went on to enroll in classes in electrical work and interior design that gave him the knowledge and support to do so.
While some students pursue degrees or plan to transfer, others are focused on targeted learning or personal fulfillment rather than credentials alone. Community colleges support these varied goals by offering flexible pathways that allow students to engage with education on their own terms.
During military service, individuals hold a military occupational specialty (MOS), which reflects their training and role—such as infantry, linguistics, or legal services. Through Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) programs, community colleges like NCC can help student veterans gain academic credit for their military experience.
While the amount of awarded credit depends on a student’s MOS and chosen program, students can have their military transcripts and supporting documentation reviewed to determine whether they qualify for PLA credits, saving them time and money.
Community colleges are uniquely positioned to serve veterans by meeting them where they are and attending to their needs—whatever they may be. Through accessible programs and holistic support services, they help military students adjust to college and civilian life.
For more information, review NCC Student Resources.
NCC partners with many local non-profits and organizations, including Veterans Brotherhood, Victory House of Lehigh Valley, and Warrior Strong Inc.
Sullivan emphasizes that NCC is committed to investing in the military community as a whole—not just the students on campus.
“If a Gold Star mom comes in and says, ’Listen, my child is deployed,’ or ‘My child's in the service,’ of course, we’ll always help support them because they're a part of our community,” she says.
And that’s what community colleges are for—building networks of mutual support and connection when people need them most.
The transition from active duty to civilian life is deeply personal and often unfamiliar to civilians, which is why many community colleges focus on connecting military students and creating a network of support. As Sullivan notes, “[A] big push is to rebuild the camaraderie that was lost when they got out of service. I joke around that I’m forcing friends on you, but they’re like-minded people.”
Northampton models this process after the “battle buddy” model used in the military. These relationships—grounded in shared experience and trust—give student veterans a partner and confidant. Together, they can navigate their academic progress, support one another through challenging times, and cultivate a lasting friendship.
NCC also helps military students connect through Band of Brothers, a hub for veteran support. This student-run organization provides an inclusive space for students and their families to find a safe place and meaningful relationships that sustain them through the reacclimation process and build toward a bright future.
For military students, there isn’t one singular marker of success. Each veteran faces unique circumstances when returning to school, and those experiences shape what personal growth looks like for them.
Sullivan explains that, for some students, it’s a win to reach out to a community organization like Tails of Valor, which offers canine-assisted service programs and non-medical therapies to veterans, law enforcement, and emergency personnel in the Lehigh Valley. For other students, she counts it a success when they visit the NCC Veterans Resource Center and connect with on-campus support.
“[It’s] knowing that they have someone to turn to at the end of each day, and if they’re ever in crisis, they can call one of their battle buddies. They have services at the school. They have me. They have their community that they can reach out to. That’s success.”
- Alexis Sullivan, Director of Military-Affiliated Student Services at Northampton Community College
To provide meaningful support, it’s critical to understand who they are and how they experience campus life. “This is a non-traditional population,” Sullivan explains. “They have very distinct and unique needs. The way you communicate with them plays a big role in the rapport that is built and the trust level that they have with you.”
This responsibility extends to direct veteran support staff to professors, school leadership, and the student population. Like many colleges, NCC utilizes Green Zone training to raise awareness of the military-affiliated population on campus, equip participants with the knowledge and tactics to recognize the challenges these students and their families face , and offer empathy and dignity.
Through a collective effort across campus, support for military students becomes part of a college’s culture and environment, leaving a lasting impact.
At Northampton Community College, military-affiliated students - whether they are active duty, veterans, or families and dependents - don’t walk alone. We weave personal, academic, and professional support into our campus experience to ensure our military-affiliated student population has every tool and resource to discover a sense of belonging and define their success on their terms.
Ready to find your place at Northampton? Explore our military benefits or connect with us today!
Northampton Community College
3835 Green Pond Road
Bethlehem PA 18020
610.861.5300
