Volunteer State Community College student LaDarius Cortez Roberts of Waverly received the inaugural Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor's Commendation for Military Veterans. It was awarded on Veteran’s Day by Vol State president, Jerry Faulkner, at the Gallatin campus. The commendation comes in the form of a special Challenge Coin presented on behalf of the chancellor, Flora Tydings. Challenge coins are a rich tradition in all branches of the military and signify special achievement, excellence, hard work, unit pride, respect, and esprit de corps.
Roberts served in the United States Army for more than eight years as a Health Care Specialist. He began his college career at Vol State in the Fall 2019 semester with an aspiration to become a Medical Lab Technician. He is serving as a Pioneer Connections Peer Mentor, a group organized by the Office of Adult Learners and Veterans Affairs at Vol State. Pioneer Connections pairs established adult students with adult students who are new to the experience.
Roberts quickly understood the challenge facing many Vol State students this semester, as many classes moved to an online format. “There are many adult learners who are not computer savvy that could use help with basic online course navigation and usage,” he said. “With there being limited instructors, and a great number of students with a plethora of skills and experiences from various backgrounds, that could lighten the load."
For more information about opportunities for adult learners at Vol State visit www.volstate.edu/adult-learners
