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145th AW Supports State and Local Colleges during Annual College Fair

U. S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Ryan Rowden, North Carolina Air National Guard, takes part in a conversation with Patty Baum, Assistant Director of Admissions for the University of North Carolina located in Chapel Hill. UNC Chapel Hill offers many programs to service men and women. This annual event was held at the North Carolina Air National Guard base, Charlotte Douglas Intl. airport, March 8, 2014. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Alejandro M. Armendariz, 145th Public Affairs/Released)

145th AW Supports State and Local Colleges during Annual College Fair

Linda Krute, admission counselor with North Carolina State University speaks with an airman from the North Carolina Air National Guard about the Master’s Degree program they offer. Krute Baum came to take part in the college fair that has become a yearly event here at the North Carolina Air National Guard base, Charlotte Douglas Intl. airport, March 8, 2014. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Alejandro M. Armendariz, 145th Public Affairs/Released)

145th AW Supports State and Local Colleges during Annual College Fair

Brianna Ford, military student services, converses with an airman from Student Flight about the opportunities offered at Western Carolina University. Brianna was taking part in a college educational fair held at the North Carolina Air National Guard base, Charlotte Douglas Intl. airport, March 8, 2014. The Educational Fair is an annual event to educate soldiers and airmen on the many programs and services offered by UNC educational system. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Alejandro M. Armendariz, 145th Public Affairs/Released)

145th AW Supports State and Local Colleges during Annual College Fair

Published March 12, 2014
By Staff Sgt. Alejandro M. Armendariz
145th Public Affairs

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The North Carolina Air National Guard supported the community by sponsoring the second annual College Educational Fair during March 2014 Unit Training Assembly(UTA). North Carolina National Guard has partnered with the University of North Carolina General Administrations, who hosted the event for the last two years. The partnership is aimed to expose soldiers and airmen of the North Carolina National Guard to the many opportunities available to them for starting and completing a higher education.

The UNC system is comprised of 16 higher educational institutions from the mountains to the seas of North Carolina. Eleven of the 16 institutions participated in this college fair, educating airmen on the many programs and services available to them.

Gilberto Alverado, Military Academic Advisor at UNC General Administration explained, "Many of the programs offered by these universities are streamlined for the military student."

Jeffrey J. Netznik, Associate Director of military outreach from East Carolina University, described the value of the event as a great and optimal interaction between the colleges and the prospective student. This event gives the representatives from the universities more time with each prospective student to explain programs and benefits in greater detail.

Both North Carolina Air National Guard and UNC General Administration aim to continue these events annually here at other North Carolina Air National and other units throughout the state. Participating in these events annually provide a great way to build relationships with our airmen.

The North Carolina Universities in attendance were:

North Carolina State University
North Carolina Central University
North Carolina A & T University
East Carolina University
Fayetteville State University

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
UNC Asheville
Western Carolina University
UNC Charlotte

College Fair 2014 was a great success as many airmen took advantage of the wealth of information available to them. It could be the start of something great for an individual. A step in the right direction can lead to abundance in life. We just have to take that first step.