Veterans in northwest Missouri have a new resource to utilize and seek assistance with their Veteran Affairs claims at Northwest Missouri State University’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Further enhancing the services it offers veterans and military families, Northwest recently entered into a partnership with the Missouri Veterans Commission to house a Veterans Service Officer, or VSO. Jesse Campbell is now available to meet veterans, students of military families and other individuals who need assistance with military services.

Campbell is available during the first and third Monday of each month. Walk-in hours are 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and individuals are served on a first-come, first-served basis. He is located in Room 1222 of the CIE and may be contacted by calling 660.562.1710 or jesse.campbell@mvc.dps.mo.gov. There is no cost for the service.

“We really want veterans to know they have representation in Maryville,” Campbell said. “The University was more than happy to allow us the space and become more active in assisting veterans, not only at the University but in the community as well.”

The Missouri Veterans Commission, which previously maintained an office on Summit Drive in Maryville, is a state-based organization that assists veterans with their benefit claims. The Missouri Veterans Commission serves as a bridge between veterans and services provided by the VA.

“Without this partnership, local veterans would have to travel to St. Joseph to connect with a VSO,” said Jennifer Kennymore, health educator in University Wellness Services who helped facilitate the agreement. “This partnership is important not only because it is the right thing to do, but it helps veterans at Northwest and in the community connect with the resources they need.”

Campbell says many veterans are unaware of the full extent of their benefits. He is available to answer questions and explain benefit information and claims assistance in detail. Campbell also assists with applications to the VA for compensation, pension, education and healthcare, among other needs.

“The most common issue is that veterans don’t know what their benefits are,” Campbell said. “They may know what some of them are, and they may think they’re utilizing their VA benefits to the full extent, but they find after they’ve talked with a VSO that there are so many other benefits they’re eligible for.”

Additionally, Nate Whiters, MS LMFT, of the Kansas City Vet Center is available to meet with veterans for readjustment counseling from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the third Friday of each month. Whiters is located in Room 2440 of the Student Engagement Center on the second floor of the J.W. Jones Student Union. Individuals interested in meeting with Whiters should call 816.753.1866 to set up an appointment.

Northwest, which is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, offers a range of degree and certification programs that benefit military students. Northwest also is VA-approved, gives credit for the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) and DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST). The University follows American Council on Education (ACE) recommendations when granting credit for military experience or from other regionally accredited institutions as transcripts are evaluated by the Office of Admissions.

This fall, Northwest was named a Military Friendly School for the second consecutive year for its reputation of offering a positive experience for military students.

For more information about services and resources available to veterans at Northwest, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/admissions/veterans/.