The Veterans Services Department at the College of DuPage has decided to apportion a grant for veterans who would like to take the Speech 1120, Small-Group Communication, during the summer 2016 semester. In this field study class, students must be prepared to backpack up to 10 miles a day with a 40-pounds backpack over rugged terrain at altitudes possibly exceeding 11,000 feet, with optional excursions above 14,000 feet.

Like most grants at COD, this was made possible through the kind donations of individuals, organizations and companies that are interested in education.

This class, plus field study program, is designed to meet the contemporary life skills requirement or the speech requirement for an Associates of Applied Science degree. Discussions and field study in the Colorado wilderness will focus on leadership, teamwork, roles, conflict management, ecological awareness and personal development.

This is the first transition program for veterans at COD. Jose Alferez, Manager of the Veterans Services Department at COD, said “Unlike other opportunities for veterans at the College of DuPage, this is a unique opportunity intended to help veterans stick to college education, and prepare students to transition well at COD or at any university if they decide to get a Bachelor’s.”

The grant covers the field study trip fee of $960 to include air/ground transportation, most meals, lodging, backpacking and camping equipment, hot spring, whitewater rafting and wilderness permit. Students can make use of other state grants, like the Illinois Veterans Grant or Illinois National Guard Grant if they are qualified to do so, and cover the additional class tuition of $405, $135 per credit hour.

Current COD students who are no longer serving, or are currently serving in the military, are eligible to benefit from this grant.

The instructor for this course is speech professor and Faculty Liaison for Global Education Marco Benassi. He has led more than 100 field study classes at COD. Some of his previous experiences include trips to to Africa, Cuba and Alaska, as well as numerous backpacking trips throughout the country.

“This adventure-based field study offers the perfect opportunity for student veterans to explore group communication skills in an interactive, dynamic setting outside the traditional classroom,” said Benassi. “It will give them the opportunity to apply and build on the leadership and teamwork skills and learn the military in an academic, civilian context. This type of experiential learning transcends the textbook and gets to the core of connecting with others in a caring, compassionate environment.”

The deadline for applications is April 20, leading to a review of submitted applications by a committee headed by Alferez, followed by an interview with the Veterans Services Department. Find out more about this opportunity on the Field Services, Experiential Learning, Study Abroad, and Global Education page on COD’s website.