Angelina College announced the opening of its Veterans Service Center on the Lufkin campus, providing a dedicated space for student veterans, spouses, and dependents as they transition from military service to higher education.
Supporting the local veteran community
Adriana Mosley, the college’s veterans services coordinator, said the center will serve as a lounge, study area, and hub for connecting with community partners. “We knew we wanted a center. We wanted a place dedicated for our veteran students and military‑connected students,” Mosley explained.
During the fall 2026 semester, the college is serving 128 veterans and military‑connected students, including spouses and dependents. In the full 2025‑26 academic year, that number rose to 169, reflecting growing demand for tailored support services.
Programs and peer connections
The center partners with the Burke Center and plans to launch veteran peer groups early next year. These groups aim to link older veterans with younger classmates, fostering mentorship and shared experiences.
Crystal Jurado, a Navy veteran studying business administration, highlighted the importance of guidance, noting that veterans’ education benefits can be confusing. “Mosley helps students navigate their education benefits,” Jurado said. She balances full‑time work at Hospice in the Pines with her studies and hopes to enter medical consulting after graduation.
Air Force veteran Audrie Seefeldt, a respiratory‑care student, praised the quiet study environment the veterans room provides. “We kind of understand each other without words being said,” she said, emphasizing the camaraderie among veteran students.
Impact on families and the broader community
Beyond academic assistance, the center offers a place for families of service members to connect, share resources, and find support. Mosley encourages any veteran considering college to meet with her to discuss enrollment steps, benefit utilization, and additional community resources.
Local leaders and community partners have expressed strong support for the initiative, recognizing its role in strengthening families and reinforcing the values of service and sacrifice that are central to the Lufkin area.
Looking ahead
As the center settles in, Angelina College plans to expand programming, including workshops on financial literacy, career planning, and mental‑health resources tailored to the unique needs of veterans and their families. The college hopes the center will become a model for other institutions in East Texas seeking to honor and support those who have served.
Original reporting: KLTV 7 Tyler (news) — read the source article.
