HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. — Kentucky National Guard members will now have increased support through Northern Kentucky University.
It’s a beneficial partnership for both parties and could potentially lead to more success stories like NKU student Briana White.
In addition to being a student, she’s also a member of the Kentucky National Guard. Juggling both is a challenge, and one she never saw coming.
“I’m going to be honest. I haven’t really envisioned myself in the military. We had a JROTC program at my high school, and I’m just like, not for me. But then I saw the stand at my school. I walked over there and started talking to the recruiter, and this is actually pretty interesting,” White said.
She knew she wanted to be a first generation college student. But paying for it, even with scholarships, would be its own challenge.
“What am I going to do? I want to get my degree and be successful,” White said. “But how am I supposed to do that if I don’t want to live in debt?”
So White signed up for the National Guard. She completed basic training in November. Now her days are busy.
“I go to class, I go home and I go to work,” she said.
Streamlined access to educational support through Northern Kentucky University’s veterans resource station will now be available to Kentucky National Guard members like White.
The Kentucky National Guard and NKU signed a memorandum of understanding to create a partnership, allowing the university to work with citizen soldiers to fit their unique needs on the path to graduation. These kinds of partnerships facilitate members’ growth, and the increased presence is a recruiting tool for the Guard.
“It’s more likely than not it’s the exposure that we had to certain folks when we were younger that caused a career making decision to evolve. And if we don’t have that exposure, then quite simply, we don’t know what’s happening,” said Major General Hal Lamberton, commanding general of the Kentucky National Guard.
White said she hopes it will lead to more students finding their way to the same educational path she’s chosen, and she’s happy to feel supported on campus.
“I think it will be very helpful. Especially since we’re less than one percent of the population right now. But the benefits will really get people to join, not have to live in debt,” White said. “They even have policies for professors of national guard students. So if they have drill and have to miss a Friday, or if they have at and miss a couple weeks, then they have to abide by that policy.”
She said she’s interested in becoming a police officer in the future, but she’s just grateful to have options.
The Kentucky National Guard also has partnerships with the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville. It’s hoping to expand its presence in all Kentucky universities.