Gordon State College Empowering Student Veterans, Adult Learners
By Karolina Philmon, GSC marketing manager
Gordon State College hosted its 2025 Student Veteran and Adult Learner Symposium on April 24, uniting higher education professionals for a one-day event centered on “Advocacy in Action.”
The free symposium focused on strategies to better support and empower student veterans and adult learners. The day opened with welcome remarks from Dr. Inez Jones, associate professor of biology and chair of the symposium; Dr. Ric Calhoun, assistant vice president of innovative education and strategic initiatives; and Dr. Donald J. Green, president of GSC.
“Bringing together faculty, staff, and community members to support our student veterans and adult learners has become more than a professional goal. It is a personal mission,” Jones said. “Watching this vision come to life every two years is both rewarding and inspiring, and it reaffirms our commitment to ensuring these students receive the recognition, support, and resources they deserve.”
Following the opening remarks, Katrina Autry, veterans’ affairs representative at Dalton State College, led the Green Zone Training. The session offered faculty, staff and administrators practical tools to support student veterans and active-duty service members as they transition from military service to academic life.
The keynote address was delivered by Joe Dan Banker, a retired U.S. Navy officer with more than 20 years of service. Banker leads the Office of Military Affairs at the University System of Georgia, where he focuses on strengthening the connection between military service and higher education.
“Veterans and adult learners don’t just bring life experience, they elevate the learning environment for everyone,” Banker said. “If we want to improve education, we must actively engage them. Their perspectives are invaluable, and by supporting their transition, we enrich the entire educational experience.”
The remainder of the symposium featured a series of breakout sessions covering topics such as leveraging artificial intelligence and technology to support adult learners, as well as strategies for engaging adult learners in online classrooms. The event concluded with a student veteran panel, where current and former student veterans shared their experiences and responded to audience questions.
As the event wrapped up, organizers emphasized the ongoing importance of the work.
“At Gordon, we are committed to fostering an environment where every student feels supported and empowered,” Jones said. “Its [symposium event] impact goes beyond a single day; it’s about creating sustained progress on and off campus. I’m already looking forward to the next symposium as we continue this important work.