UTC Green Zone

A campus-wide network of support for veteran and military service members. 

Training offered periodically by The Tennessee Higher Education Commission in accordance of the Tennessee Veterans Education Transition Support (VETS) Act.

Next training session Wednesday, May 13, 2025, 9-10 a.m. 

Where: TN Veteran Reconnect Conference, Lipscomb University, George Shinn Center  

Registration is required for this free event. Registration link from Lipscomb - TBD

Agenda:

FOR FACULTY AND ADMINISTRATORS

• How Conflict Can Inform Your Approach to Military-Connected Students. This session will offer strategies for creating a welcoming environment of learning and having a better approach and understanding of what you bring to the table versus what your students are experiencing and need. Presenter: Steve Joiner, Dean, Lipscomb University College of Leadership & Public Service
• Understanding the Identity of a Military-Connected Student. Gain a perspective on how the student veteran population has changed over the past decade in terms of age, military experiences and life goals as well as an opportunity for discussion on how these factors impact military-connected students and services. Presenter: Sam Lynn, Director, Lipscomb University Office of Veteran Services
• Military-Connected Student Outreach Perspectives. This session will provide strategies, successes and lessons learned and is geared to help school recruiters, admissions counselors and faculty with a focus on military-connected students in their approach to serving military-connected students. Presenter: Jimmie Handley Jr., Outreach Coordinator, Lipscomb University Office of Veteran Services

Green Zone Training 

Green Zone Training awaits training offered periodically by The Tennessee Higher Education Commission in accordance of the Tennessee Veterans Education Transition Support (VETS) Act. The training is established to help faculty, staff, and students provide supportive services necessary to ensure that veteran students are successful in their academic pursuits, adjust to the campus environment and eventually transition to civilian employment.

Request to be added to training list interest form email [email protected] 

For Students:

The Green Zone program is designed to give students a way to recognize faculty and staff who have completed training, can inform you of appropriate contacts for resources, and who may be deemed as available supports to assist with your many transitional needs. 

Green Zone... What is it?

• An initiative to support student veterans by designating locations recognized as “safe spaces."
• Identifies faculty and staff who are knowledgeable about issues faced by student veterans and contacts for resources available.
• Participants are identified by a Green Zone emblem located outside their office door and, for faculty, on the course syllabus.
• Helps faculty and staff provide supportive services necessary to ensure veteran students are provided with the support and resources identified to be successful in their academic pursuits, adjust to the campus environment and transition to civilian employment. 

Who is a Green Zone volunteer?

• Staff and faculty who identify themselves as:
  • someone who is aware of the issues and concerns faced by student veterans/service members
  • someone who is available to assist the student
  • someone who has completed the Green Zone training
  • Volunteers are NOT expected to be experts who can “solve” the problems. Instead -
    • lend a sympathetic ear
    • be someone who can help the student find the appropriate resources for problem resolution