G.I. Jobs magazine has named Chattahoochee Tech Veteran Services Coordinator Barry Munday, who retires from the college this month, as a national 2021 Veteran Champion of the Year in Higher Education. This award honors the key players at colleges across the country who are passionate about helping student veterans excel.
Throughout his years of service at Chattahoochee Tech, Munday worked diligently to ensure the success of hundreds of students who are veterans or military family members. He created the first veteran services operation in the college, which was one of the first in the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG). He also initiated a network of veteran services and support agencies, which includes over 30 organizations in North Georgia and the Metro Atlanta area. This network helps Chattahoochee Tech veteran students and their families have access to a vast array of benefit providers in addition to the college’s internal services and resources.
As a veteran, Munday brought a practical understanding to the needs and unique circumstances of veteran students as they transitioned from the role of active military duty to that of a civilian. His successful work at the college was reflected consistently by Chattahoochee Tech being designated each year as one of the nation’s top military friendly schools. Victory Media, a national leader in connecting the military community to educational and career opportunities, determines the military friendly school rankings based on assessments of military student support and retention; financial aid and assistance; culture and commitment; and graduation and career success. The Military Friendly Schools list has come to set the standard for higher education institutions to provide the best opportunities for military service members, veterans and their families.
“We are proud of his contributions to our college community, not only to the veterans’ and families’ educational and career success, but to our campus community as a whole,” said Chattahoochee Tech Director of Counseling Cheri Mattox-Carroll. “His generosity, service, comprehensive knowledge, and commitment to excellence is to be commended.”