by Sylvia Watley
The Division of Student Life at Jackson State University is pleased to announce the opening of the Veterans Center and the naming of Timothy Abram as its director.
The ribbon cutting and open house for the Veterans Center will be held on August 2, 2012, at 11:30 a.m. on the first floor of the Jacob L. Reddix Building.
The JSU Veterans Center will provide student support services focused on the special needs and requirements of today’s military veterans, service members, dependents and survivors. The center was established to improve and enhance the academic success of student veterans, to help them receive the benefits they deserve, and to serve as a liaison between the veteran student community and the University.
“The JSU Veterans Center will assist veterans in successfully navigating the academic environment through guidance, support services, and resources. The primary goal is to provide a seamless transition for veterans and to assist them in becoming engaged and well prepared citizens in the community,” said Dr. Marcus A. Chanay, JSU Vice President for Student Life. “Tim Abram has a wealth of higher education and military experience, and will do a fine job leading the Center.”
Abram received his bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a master’s degree in Guidance Counseling from Jackson State University. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in Educational Leadership.
Abram has extensive administrative and management experiences in both the military and civilian sectors. Prior to assuming the current director position, Abram served as Associate Director for the JSU Center for Service and Community Engaged Learning in the Division of Student Life where he received the 2008-2009 “Staff Excellence Award.”
He was commissioned as a United States Army Officer and achieved the rank of Captain in the United States Army Reserves. He served as a platoon leader, a company executive officer, a detachment commander and as a squadron S-3/liaison officer while stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and Fort Hood, Texas.
Among his numerous Army achievement and leadership awards, is the Bronze Star Medal for Heroic and Meritorious Service during “Operation Desert Storm.”
He is a member of the Mississippi Counseling Association, 1st Cavalry Division Association, Military Officers Association of America and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.