You Don't Have to be a Veteran to Help Veterans

You Don't Have to be a Veteran to Help Veterans

By Rachael Sherman

If you are involved in any veteran organization in the Northern Michigan there’s a very good chance you’ve heard the name, Scott Herzberg. You’d think he was a veteran because of his passion and knowledge of what veterans need, especially when it comes to getting an education. With a strong family history of military service, one could have predicted Scott would also serve in the military, but a childhood medical issue excluded him from that opportunity. This did not deter him. He sought out ways to help veterans coming home and seeking education as the POC for Military and Veteran Services at Northwestern Michigan College.

Transitioning from military to civilian life can be difficult and scary, especially if college is part of that transition. Veterans returning home may have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a traumatic brain injury (TBI), and/or hyper-vigilance. All of which makes the classroom setting a problematic place to be at times. A history class discussion could trigger memories of trauma. A busy and talkative class could be overwhelming and nervewracking. Even driving to school can be a triggering activity for some veterans. Scott Herzberg has created a space for veterans to learn which accommodates their needs and affords them the best educational experience possible.

Scott’s office is very dynamic and can help address various issues that may divert veterans off their educational path. There’s a lounge for veterans only to enjoy a coffee cup in a veteran-friendly space. Scott is equipped to help veterans navigate the GI Bill application process and other VA benefits. He gives tours of classrooms ahead of time so veterans can be prepared, and he says class sizes are limited to 20-30 students in classes where veterans will be in attendance. Scott has also helped coordinate what he calls friend-raising – he works with organizations in the community such as Higher Grounds who sold a specialty, veteran-themed coffee, and gave a portion of sales to Scott’s cause. This helps build not just funds but connections between veterans and others in the community who can help. These funds are set aside to help veterans with things like groceries or even utility bills if needed. The idea is that sometimes other things going on in a veteran’s life can hold them back from learning, and Scott will do whatever it takes to help keep the veteran in the classroom. He’s even pioneering a housing project called Charlie Gulf One to help veterans and their families transition into a permanent housing situation.

When asked how Scott has made all of this possible, he says, “no one tells me no.” Everyone he’s asked for help or support has given it, no questions asked. He describes the faculty and staff at NMC as his biggest supporters. He didn’t ask for a Veterans Day celebration and for classes and offices to close for the day; they just did it. He gives all the credit to the veterans he serves and to his supporting staff and community for doing everything possible to help him, help veterans. He refuses to take any credit, but Scott has built something incredibly special. He has coordinated the type of transitional support, knowledge, and access to resources that the military feebly attempts to offer separating military members. Northwestern Michigan College is “one of the nation’s top two community colleges for its service to veterans.” It is deemed a gold level veteran-friendly school by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency for three years running, and that is because of people like Scott Herzberg.