John Larson admits the path that led him to take classes at Ozarks Tech was not an easy or straightforward one. For the 36-year-old, it involved an injury that eventually ended a more than decade-long stint in the Air Force, the loss of a buddy to addiction and time traveling the country in a converted van before he found the college and the Veterans Upward Bound program.
When Larson was a junior in high school he came across information on military service. After that chance encounter he knew the Air Force would be his next step. It was a choice that brought endless challenges and opportunities. As an E6 Technical Sergeant his role took him everywhere from Whiteman and Minot Air Force Bases in the states to Osan Air Force Base in South Korea and Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany. He grew and learned a lot, but the work eventually took a physical toll.
“In the military, you learn to be good at your career, but you are not always good at taking care of yourself,” he said.
Years of physical therapy helped keep him in the role, but eventually a partially torn ACL made him decide it was time to get out. Although life beyond the Air Force would be new territory, he had a plan: use his GI Bill benefits to get auto technician training in Arizona. But then the pandemic hit. Classes were only offered virtually so he decided to withdraw from school and use his savings to travel the country in a van. This led Larson to Florida and time living with a former high school buddy. He didn’t know it then, but this experience was going to lead him to his education at Ozarks Tech.
Larson desperately wanted to help his friend who was battling addiction, but he realized the problem required professional help. When that same friend passed away, he returned to Missouri with a new focus to learn how to help people facing addiction. He found that Ozarks Tech offered related classes and housed the Veterans Upward Bound program. VUB provided the missing link in his journey beyond the military.
VUB is a TRIO Program designed to assist veterans in all aspects of the college admissions process and their academic success. All services provided by VUB are free for participants and funded by a federal TRIO grant through the Department of Education. VUB participants have access to full staff who can provide immediate assistance with admissions, financial aid, academics and connections to other needed services. VUB program services include:
- Refresher courses for college admissions to prepare for college. VUV can help veterans obtain their GED.
- Assistance with applications to the college or university of choice.
- Assistance with applying for financial aid, including VA education benefits, FAFSA, scholarships, and more.
- Personalized advising.
- Academic advice and assistance.
- Career counseling.
- Assistance in securing community support, such as mental health, food assistance, and more.
- Exposure to cultural events, academic programs and other educational activities.
“I didn’t expect to be in college in my 30s, so if VUB hadn’t been there, I don’t know if I would have followed through,” Larson admits. “Their expertise in working with members of the military is extremely beneficial and they are prepared to help you from start to finish.”
According to Victoria Ratcliff, VUB program director at the Ozarks Tech office, 71 percent of program participants have been out of school for five or more years. Even more important, 82 percent of the program participants end up enrolling in post-secondary education.
“We know that VUB resources and support help participants have a higher graduation rate, and we are very proud of that,” Ratcliff said. “So, for any veteran who is thinking about next steps but thinks it will be too much, I would remind them they have already done harder things so they can do this … and we can help.”
As for Larson, thanks to VUB he is currently taking courses as part of the Behavioral Health Support Program at Ozarks Tech. He is scheduled to graduate in spring of 2025 with the goal of working as a case manager.
For more information about the Veterans Upward Bound program, visit https://students.otc.edu/veterans-upward-bound/ or call 417-447-7840.
