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Incoming and existing military-connected �鶹��ѡstudents, faculty and staff members were welcomed to campus with open arms at the Veterans and Service Members Open House hosted Sept. 8 by the Center for Adult and Veteran Services (CAVS).

The event, held in the Schwebel Room at the Student Center, aimed to bring members of the military community, including family members, together with food, refreshments and conversation.

Joshua Rider, executive director of CAVS, wants to ensure those who served feel represented and heard in ways that meet their needs.

“It’s important to let them know that we value them,” Rider said. “There are receptions that go on for a lot of different identity groups on campus, and we want to make sure that this identity group knows they have a home here and that people acknowledge their service or service of their family.”

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Jaymes Taylor, a junior anthropology major at �鶹��ѡand 12-year Army veteran, attended the open house to make connections with other student veterans, faculty, and staff veterans.

“We feel like sometimes we get lost after we leave the military,” he said. “So forming a brotherhood and sisterhood together and being able to support each other through college is actually really important.”

CAVS exists to support more than 850 military-connected students like Taylor through services such as processing military benefits, assisting in career guidance, and offering pre-admission counseling. The office also exists to help non-traditional adult learners and parenting students navigate through Kent State.

Earlier this year, �鶹��ѡwas awarded its 13th consecutive Military Friendly School designation, and a Collegiate Purple Star designation.

For more information about the Center for Adult and Veteran Services, please visit www.kent.edu/cavs/about-us.

For more information about Kent State’s Veterans Club, please visit www.kent.edu/csi/kent-state-university-veterans-club.