CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Across North Carolina, the veteran presence on college campuses is growing.
The University of North Carolina System reported over 23,000 military-affiliated students enrolled this fall, up nearly 6% from the previous year.
A 2019 report from the American Association of Community Colleges found nearly 5% of students at public community colleges are veterans.
What You Need To Know
The number of student veterans is increasing on higher education campuses
A North Carolina university is spotlighting how it’s supporting veterans pursuing a degree
One veteran shares how the university’s resources and services are helping him attain his academic aspirations
On this Veterans Day, a private North Carolina campus is spotlighting how it’s supporting those who once wore the uniform.
Darryl White is the assistant dean for diversity, inclusion and community engagement at Queens University of Charlotte. He also serves as an adviser for student veterans.
White, a veteran and Queens alumnus, relates to challenges many former service members face pursuing a higher education degree.
“I was a nontraditional student,” White said. “We didn’t really have a whole lot of support systems here for us. After I had a chance to figure it out on my own and go through the process, I know how valuable it is for someone [to have that support].”
White said Queens University has since built a strong network of resources designed to help veterans navigating an educational journey, connecting students with both campus and community resources tailored to meet their needs.
This includes the financial aid office helping veterans navigate VA education benefits and partnerships with Veterans Bridge Home, a nonprofit helping veterans and their families flourish after service.
“I want to make sure our veterans feel comfortable coming here, that they understand the process,” he said.
Queens also has a veterans lounge where students can connect, study and decompress with other learners who served.
“Nontraditional students who don’t live on campus have a place they can come to and actually have other veterans who hang out in the veterans lounge they can connect with on a regular basis,” White said.
“I’m here to support them with anything they need. I will make sure they get pointed in the right direction,” White said.
Veteran enrollment is part of a larger trend reshaping higher education.
The New Majority Learner Report 2025 found over 40% of college students are over 22 and nearly 70% are working while enrolled.
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans entering college are often considered nontraditional students, many balancing families, work and readjustment to civilian life while studying.
Queens University said it serves over 40 student veterans annually.
Rick Wright is one of them.
“It has been an amazing journey thus far and it’s only starting,” Wright said.
Wright, 55, is a freshman studying creative writing.
Wright said he went into the U.S. Marine Corps in 1988, right out of high school and was honorably discharged in 2000.
Following the 9/11 attacks, Wright said he made the decision to return, training troops for airborne operations.
“Jumpmaster,” Wright said. “I heard the siren call, heard the call to serve.”
“I found a unit through a friend of mine that needed help. We had to get waivers from the U.S. Marine Corps to get me back in. They gave me a one-year contract and then I got activated,” Wright said.
Wright is now diving into a new mission at Queens, writing.
“I wrote a book and now when I get done with this degree, I’ll be a better writer and make the book actually something people would like to read,” Wright said.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill has supported veterans nationwide, providing education benefits for those who served in active duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001, covering expenses like tuition and books.
According to the VA, those whose service ended before Jan. 1, 2013, must use all their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits within 15 years of separation. But under the Forever GI Bill, the VA said those who served after that date no longer face an expiration deadline.
Wright said his post-9/11 benefits expired.
“I have a good VA counselor [that] introduced me to another program through the VA that is a little more difficult to get approved for, but it allowed me to come to school full-time here at Queens,” Wright said.
Wright credits those resources and the support from Queens for making his educational dream possible.
“It’s huge because you don’t know what you don’t know, and having resources opens more opportunities for the student veterans. It’s been key for my journey,” Wright said.
This week, Queens is hosting a Veteran’s Appreciation Lunch to honor its student veterans, recognizing their service and celebrating the new paths they’re forging in higher education.
Queens is also a degree-granting Yellow Ribbon Program Institution, helping eligible veterans pay for tuition and fees not covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
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