A Partnership with Public Officials, Area Veterans and Veteran Organizations Helped to Bring the Resource Center to Life
On Friday, December 6, County College of Morris (CCM) hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the official opening of its Veterans Resource Center. This new space in the center of CCM’s campus was created for Veterans and their families, including both CCM students and Veterans across the community.
The mission of CCM’s Veterans Resource Center is to assist Veterans with their U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits and provide academic and career advising, with the support of CCM’s Coordinator of Veteran and Military Services. In addition, it is designed to directly connect them to counseling and other resources and services available through the county, state and federal Veteran offices right here on CCM’s campus. The Resource Center will continue to grow and expand based on the desires of Veterans.
The CCM Veterans Resource Center was developed in partnership through a Veterans Steering Committee comprised of representation from CCM, public officials, area Veterans and Veteran organizations including the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and many others throughout the state and county. The committee was led by CCM Board of Trustees Chair Paul Licitra, a U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran, and public officials including Morris County Commissioner John Krickus, a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran.
“The Center was created with extensive input from community Veterans,” said Dr. Anthony Iacono, president of CCM. “It will be a true resource not only for CCM students who are Veterans, but for Veterans in the community along with their families. CCM is honored to have this opportunity to serve the men and women who have sacrificed for our country, allowing all of us to enjoy freedom and democracy.”
The idea to develop a Veterans Resource Center began after Senator Anthony M. Bucco (R-25) spearheaded the movement to bring the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall to Morris County, in partnership with members of the VFW Post 7333. Shortly after hosting the Memorial Wall on campus in July 2022, CCM President Iacono and the college began meeting with Veterans to understand how to best support Veterans and their families. CCM Board of Trustees Chair Paul Licitra was instrumental in the creation of the Resource Center and has been a long-time advocate of Veterans at CCM.
As the community’s college, CCM has forged extensive relationships throughout northwest New Jersey to better meet the needs of surrounding areas and their Veterans. This is just one example that demonstrates how CCM serves all members of the community in a meaningful way and how the college is working to change lives and strengthen communities.
“This Center will bring vibrancy, not only to our college but also to Morris County,” added Iacono. “No matter how much we endeavor to do for Veterans, it will never compare to what they have done for our state and nation. When it comes to serving our Veterans, we find a way to Yes.”
The Veterans Resource Center is located on CCM’s campus in Sheffield Hall 200. CCM is located at 214 Center Grove Road in Randolph. Visitors can park in Lot 7. Any questions can be directed to CCM’s Coordinator of Veteran and Military Services Shenandoah Ellis-Ulmer, MSgt (ret.), USAF, who can be reached by phone at 973-328-5220 or via email at SEllis-Ulmer@ccm.edu. CCM’s Coordinator of Veteran and Military Services is available to assist Veterans and their families in the Resource Center Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
For additional information about services offered to Veterans at CCM, visit https://www.ccm.edu/admissions/for-veterans/.
