Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC) has achieved a significant milestone by being designated as a 2024-2025 Governor’s Military and Veteran Friendly Campus by the Louisiana Board of Regents. BPCC is the first and only higher education institution in Louisiana to receive the prestigious gold distinction, underscoring its exceptional commitment to supporting military members, veterans, and their families.
This recognition reflects BPCC’s dedication to fostering a welcoming and supportive environment for those who have served the country. Chancellor Dr. Rick Bateman, Jr., expressed his pride in the college’s achievement, stating, “At BPCC, we recognize the sacrifices made by our military members and veterans, and we are deeply committed to ensuring they have the resources and support needed to succeed in their educational pursuits. I want to thank the Board of Regents for recognizing this important work and highlighting programs like ours that have a long-standing commitment to serving our nation’s heroes.”
The Governor’s Military and Veteran Friendly Campus program, initiated in 2015, aims to provide comprehensive statewide support for military veterans, their spouses, and dependents transitioning from military service to postsecondary education. All public Louisiana postsecondary institutions have earned the military-friendly designation for the fifth consecutive year.
In 2023, the Board of Regents introduced additional tiers of distinction—gold, silver, and bronze—to recognize higher levels of excellence among program participants. These tiers reflect an institution’s commitment to veteran and military students and their families. Out of 21 institutions that met the criteria for the 2024-2025 designation, BPCC was the sole recipient of the gold distinction.
To achieve gold status, an institution must meet all tier criteria, including:
- A Veteran’s Center with programming.
- Veteran-veteran support systems, such as buddy programs or veteran organizations.
- Dedicated financial aid and advising services trained specifically for veterans and service members.
- Counseling support tailored for veteran students.
- Degree pathways that recognize military experience and training.
- Flexible course-taking formats and degree structures suited to veteran and active service member life obligations.
- An additional graduation event for veteran students.
As the only institution to receive the gold distinction, BPCC continues to lead in creating a military-friendly environment, ensuring veterans and their families have access to top-quality education and support. The college offers a range of programs and services tailored to military and veteran students, including academic advising, career counseling, and dedicated support staff who understand the unique challenges faced by this community. BPCC also provides flexible learning options, including online and hybrid courses, to accommodate the schedules of active-duty military personnel and veterans.
“We are deeply honored to receive this recognition from our state,” said Susan Stakes, Director of Veteran and Military Educational Services. “At BPCC, our mission is to offer exceptional service to our veterans as they work toward their academic goals. We maintain an open-door policy, providing a welcoming environment of professionalism and camaraderie. Here, veterans can openly discuss transition challenges, mental health concerns, and any other obstacles they feel might hinder their educational journey. It’s our privilege to guide them in the right direction and support them in achieving their academic aspirations.”
For more information about BPCC’s military and veteran services, visit BPCC Military Services or contact Susan Stakes at [email protected].