Simms Navy Veteran Uses Military Education Benefits at Texarkana College to Fulfill Career Goals

Veteran students at Texarkana College have many options when it comes to fulfilling their career goals. Utilizing military education benefits as a financial resource is available for most veterans but knowing the ins-and-outs of applying and receiving benefits can be overwhelming without help from an advisor.

Simms, Texas resident and Navy Veteran Deborah Davison said TC made it easy for her to use her benefits from the Texas Hazlewood Act along with her GI Bill to pay for her tuition and fees. Davison served in the Navy from 1988 to 2011 and retired as an E-6 at the Amphibious Construction Battalion ACB 1 in San Diego after serving in Florida, Guam, and Japan.

“I was blessed to enlist in Texas and earn the Hazlewood Act benefit,” said Davison. “When I enlisted in 1988, I paid into the GI Bill with a Top Up Option. I started my education journey in 1995 at Park University, Grandville, MO, at the Corpus Christi, TX NAS extension. When my military career took me to California, I continued my education there but still was not able to complete my degree.”

Upon retirement in 2011, Davison moved to Simms, TX, and wanted to complete her degree using her military benefits.

“When I found out that TC offered courses I lacked and that I could use my military benefits there, I enrolled in online courses. Because TC is nationally accredited and very affordable, I was able to use my remaining military benefits to complete my Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resources. I finally graduated in 2018 and I laugh because it took me over twenty years to complete!”

Davison’s dream job is to use her education to work as a Community Service Specialist allowing her to help people in need. She has now returned to TC to earn a credential in Drug & Alcohol Abuse Counseling.

“When I was in the Navy, I served as a volunteer administrative assistant at the local Navy Community Support Service building. I used to help with the various command centers, and I loved being a resource to transitioning and newly reporting personnel. When people found themselves in need of help, I knew where to send them. I love helping people in need.”

Davison lives by example and has encouraged her 30-yr old daughter to attend Texarkana College, too.

“This summer, I was blessed to be able to attend TC with my daughter and work toward our goals together. This experience allowed me to help encourage her to believe in herself and remind her that she is able to accomplish anything she set her mind to do. I told her that as her parent, I have always worked hard to set an example for her because I wanted her to also go to school to learn to work hard.”

Texarkana College’s Veteran Services department provides the assistance and support needed for a smooth transition into college, whether you are just starting, or starting over. More information is available at https://www.texarkanacollege.edu/financial-aid/veterans/ or by calling 903-823-3352.