Laredo, TX – Today, U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced a $1,400,000 federal earmark for Laredo College’s Veterans Center of Excellence. The funds will be used to renovate Laredo College’s Guard House building with new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, building infrastructure, and student equipment to create a central hub for veterans and their families.

The Veterans Center of Excellence will serve as a one-stop facility offering a wide range of academic and career services to veterans and their dependents attending Laredo College. These include:

• Internship and job placement;
• Academic tutoring;
• Workforce scheduling support services;
• Financial aid assistance;
• Mental health counseling;
• Early enrollment services; and,
• Veteran peer-to-peer mentoring.

“Our brave veterans have sacrificed so much to defend our nation, and we are eternally indebted to them. I secured this federal earmark to ensure our veterans at Laredo College have the necessary facilities and support services to succeed in college,” said Congressman Cuellar, a Senior Member of the House Appropriations Committee. “The transition from military service to civilian life can sometimes be a daunting task. The new Veterans Center of Excellence will enable our veterans to successfully complete this transition and continue serving our country in new and meaningful ways. I look forward to continuing to build a future where our veterans thrive and lead in the civilian world just as they did in service. Thank you to Laredo College President Dr. Minita Ramirez and the Laredo College Board of Trustees for working with me to secure this federal earmark. And to our veterans, thank you for your service!”

“Our Laredo College family is thrilled to announce the creation of the Veterans Center of Excellence. This initiative would not be possible without the support and diligence of Congressman Henry Cuellar,” said Dr. Minita Ramírez, President of Laredo College. “As a staunch supporter of our nation’s veterans, the Congressman was instrumental in securing the funding for this new center that will bring a myriad of educational and professional services and opportunities for our student veterans and their dependents. Laredo College looks forward to continuing to collaborate with Congressman Cuellar in order to strengthen and move our community forward.”

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