TCAT Upper Cumberland becoming the first Tennessee Board of Regents institution to earn the elite VETS Bravo status for its commitment to supporting military-connected students.
President Cliff Wightman said the college is only the second higher education institution in the state to receive the elevated designation behind Austin Peay. Wightman said the Bravo status represents a significant expansion of the school’s existing veteran outreach and support services.
“Bravo status, we’re extremely proud because we love our veterans and we all feel that we owe a great debt of gratitude for them,” Wightman said. “On a personal level, I’m an Army brat. My dad was 24 years in regular Army and four years in government.”
Wightman said the college spent approximately two years working toward the designation, which requires schools to go beyond basic veteran campus requirements. Wightman said the process involved remodeling dedicated spaces at the Livingston and Crossville campuses to provide veterans with private areas for studying and decompression.
Wightman said the college utilizes a designated veterans liaison, Navy veteran Bill Bruce, to provide specialized consultation and mentoring. Wightman said Bruce visits the main campuses weekly to assist military-affiliated students with benefit deadlines and transitions into higher education.
“With the Bravo status, it’s better to have someone that has been in that,” Wightman said. “So, like for instance with Bill, Bill being ex-navy veteran, sometimes they they have a little better working knowledge of that and then Bill is constantly doing continuing education to be notified of any benefits changes within the VA or any of those things and he’s constantly in communication with the VA counselors and VA caseworkers and all those folks where our traditional folks on the campus would not really have access to all that.”
Wightman said the college also makes specific accommodations for veterans who may struggle with loud noises, lighting, or hearing issues resulting from combat situations. Wightman said the school evaluates the military service records of incoming veterans to ensure they receive proper credit for existing skillsets in programs like diesel mechanics or communications.
Wightman said veteran students often excel in technical education because they already possess a high level of discipline and are accustomed to working within a structured environment. Wightman said the college served approximately 200 veteran students over the past year, highlighting a consistent need for these specialized services in the region.
Wightman said the college worked closely with the Tennessee Higher Education Commission to meet the requirements for the Bravo designation, which included decorating veteran spaces and providing refreshments. Wightman said the school will continue to evolve its support programs as the needs of military-affiliated students change over time.
“We’re just we’re just really really pleased,” Wightman said. “There again you know we we owe a lot of gratitude to these people and you know that’s it it was there again it’s a lot of work but it in our book it’s it’s well worth it.”
Wightman said interested veterans or military family members can contact any TCAT location or visit the college website to be put in touch with the Bravo status coordinator.
