VUB Video, VA Tribal Government Veterans Summit 3/20, YC Master Plan Meeting 3/20, Prescott College Veteran Supportive Designation, Mental Health Text Event 4/24

Your local Veterans Upward Bound program is test-driving a commercial to get more Northern Arizona Veterans to take advantage of the free college-preparation services we offer!  Check it out at: http://youtu.be/Ex8um0QxuBg and feel free to share with any Veterans you know.

On March 20 – 21, the VA’s Office of Tribal Government will host its annual Southwest Region Training Summit for tribal leaders, veterans, veteran service providers, and tribal health directors.  The Summit will take place at the Twin Arrows Navajo Resort and Casino near Flagstaff.  More than twenty speakers and program representatives will be on hand to provide information on benefits and services.  For additional information, please contact LoRae HoMana Pawiki, Tribal Government Specialist, at Lorae.Pawiki@va.gov or (928) 776-5306.

More information about Yavapai College’s Master Plan will be provided at the Sedona Public Library on Thursday, March 20th at 7 p.m. – or check out the new webpage dedicated to providing you with the most up-to-date information at: http://masterplan.yc.edu/

Congratulations to Prescott College: The first private college in Arizona certified by the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services (ADVS) as a Veteran Supportive Campus.   “We strive to make Arizona the most veteran-friendly state in the union” noted Governor Jan Brewer. “I commend Prescott College for voluntarily choosing to qualify as Arizona’s first, private, Veteran Supportive Campus. I encourage all of our private institutions of higher education to follow Prescott College’s lead so that we may better meet the needs of our brave men and women that have fought to secure our freedoms.” With all programs based in the liberal arts, the environment and social justice, Prescott College’s small class sizes and award-winning experiential and practical based learning approach offers an option otherwise not available in Arizona or much of the Nation.

April 24th: Text, Talk, Act to Improve Mental Health is an hour-long event that uses text messaging to get people talking about mental health and encourage them to take action. Learn more at: www.bit.ly/texttalkact  It’s easy to participate:
1. At any time on April 24th, gather 3-4 of your friends, family, classmates,  students, and/or colleagues;
2. Text "start" to 89800; and
3. Receive polling questions and discussion questions via text messaging while having a face-to-face dialogue with your group.

March 7th Hear AZ Candidates for Governor, Gold Star Kid, Cosmos Returns, Pat Tillman Scholarship Deadline March 6, Federal Student Aid Info

Hear the Candidates for Governor: Attend the First Gubernatorial Debate in Northern Arizona, this Friday, March 7th at 6 PM.  The candidates’ forum will be live at the Performing Arts Center at Prescott Campus (1100 E. Sheldon) and streamed to the Community Room (M-137) at the Verde Valley Campus (601 Black Hills Drive in Clarkdale).  The focus of the debate is ‘Connecting the Dots:  Education…Economic Development…Quality of Life’.  Learn more about these candidates so you can become an informed voter.

Today’s inspirational story comes from Stripes.com, about an 8 year old ‘Gold Star kid’ named Myles, who made one soldier’s day.  Maybe it will inspire you to 'Pay it Forward' to another?  Read more at: http://www.stripes.com/blogs/stripes-central/stripes-central-1.8040/8-year-old-boy-honors-soldier-with-20-and-note-of-thanks-1.271077

If you want to expand your science knowledge, there is a new version of the television show “Cosmos” (originally featuring Carl Sagan, now featuring Neil deGrasse Tyson) that will start on Sunday, March 9th.  This show will feature all sorts of exciting new developments in science and space, see more at: http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/cosmos-a-spacetime-odyssey/

Reminder that the Pat Tillman Scholarship deadline is this week: March 6th – find out more at: http://pattillmanfoundation.org/apply-to-be-a-scholar/

It’s that time of year when new and continuing students need to apply for their student financial aid.  Not familiar with that process?  Here’s a quick lesson about the “Free Application for Federal Student Aid” (also known as FAFSA or the Pell Grant), which can help low-income students pay for tuition at accredited colleges and universities: http://youtu.be/c-23SMf5DyQ Our Veterans Upward Bound program can help Veterans apply for this funding, as well as your GI Bill Educational Benefits and college admission.  Not sure of where to go or which certificate or degree to pursue?  We can help with education and career planning too.  If you are a Veteran in Northern Arizona, let us help get you ready for the college you want to attend.

Prescott College Preview Days, Qualities of Military CEOs, Free Health Careers Workshop March 5 in Prescott, Stigma of Mental Illness

Another University highlight from our recent Transfer Day: Prescott College hosts Preview Days, Saturday March 22 and April 5th from 9-2 to introduce prospective students and families to all Prescott College programs both residential and limited-residency—Bachelor’s, and beyond.  Prescott College is eager to share details on their new tuition and financial aid initiative: The Prescott Plan.  Many scholarships are available and all awards are open to Dream Act eligible students.  With all programs based in the liberal arts, the environment and social justice, Prescott College offers: small class sizes, award-winning experiential and practical-based learning approach, the ability to construct a highly personal course of study, and unique and traditional undergraduate degrees including life experience credit.  The Preview Days will include introductions, tours, meeting with faculty, students and staff including appointments with financial aid, tours and a free lunch. The entire family is welcome. Prescott College is located at 220 Grove Avenue in Prescott with additional Centers in Tucson and Kino Bay, Mexico.  Visit the Prescott College website www.prescott.edu to register for Preview Day or call (928) 350-2100.

Why do military folks make the best leaders?  Here’s a report on the highlights, that include some famous military CEOs at: http://www.businessinsider.com/leadership-traits-of-military-ceos-2014-1

Allied Health Workshop March 5th on the Prescott campus (1100 E. Sheldon, Bldg. 2, Rm. 206) from noon to 1:00. Find out how Yavapai College Allied Health can help you get on track with one of the fastest growing careers in the country through one of its many academic programs: Health Information Technology; Nursing Assistant; Pharmacy Technician; Medical Records Technician; Phlebotomy Technician; Medical Assistant and Radiologic Technology. Find more info here: http://www.yc.edu/v5content/academics/divisions/sciences-and-health/allied-health/default.htm

Here’s a very frank discussion of depression and anxiety by Andrew Solomon on TED Talks at: http://www.ted.com/talks/andrew_solomon_depression_the_secret_we_share and a blog post discussing how to end the stigma of mental illnesses and start talking about how we can all be healthier, at: http://blog.ted.com/2013/12/18/how-should-we-talk-about-mental-health/