By Bill Brown, Executive Director of Military Education

Every day, an average of 17 veterans across the United States die by suicide. That number is hard to sit with, and for those of us who have served or work with military and veteran students and families, it is deeply personal. 

Late last month, ECPI University had the privilege of welcoming more than 100 leaders from 57 veteran service organizations to our university. We came together with the same purpose: to improve and save lives.

The focus of the day was the Suicide Prevention and Opioid Addiction Services (SOS) program, part of the Virginia Department of Veteran Services’ Veteran and Family Support (VVFS) system. With multi-million-dollar support from the Virginia legislature, SOS issues grants to community organizations across the Commonwealth that serve service members, veterans, and their families. 

Some grantees provide counseling and clinical care. Others focus on peer networks, outreach, prevention education, or recovery services. The overarching goal is to increase awareness, expand capacity, and connect veterans and families to evidence-based help where they live.

We were honored to welcome John Cooper to our university, who helped develop the legislative proposal that secured state funding for SOS. He described the program as “a lifeline built on awareness and action,” emphasizing that awareness alone is not enough. Veterans need a connection to immediate, effective help. 

Today, Dr. Angela Porter leads the program at the state level. She works to ensure SOS continues to grow and adapt to veterans’ needs.

The encouraging news is that Virginia’s veteran suicide rate is now below the national average. That is progress worth acknowledging. Even so, the work is far from finished. It is not just about lowering the numbers; it's about making sure veterans know they’re not alone and have access to care when they need it most. 

This is why gatherings like this matter: they show that when communities, service organizations, and state leaders pull together, lives can be saved.

A Week of Military Engagement

The SOS event was just one part of a busy week for ECPI’s Military and Veteran Center. Across our campuses, we worked with partners on a variety of efforts to support the military community:

• “Tools for Safety, Resources for Life”, handing out first-aid kits, CPR masks, gun locks, and fentanyl test strips thanks to a grant from DVS.
• Armed Services Arts Project, offering free creative classes for military members, veterans, and their families.
• Wounded Warrior Project Meetings at Virginia Beach and Newport News, bringing veterans together each month for support and empowerment.
• Nexus Group Meeting, where mental health clinicians, veteran service organizations, the VA, and DVS gathered to share best practices.
• Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Testing on four ECPI campuses, where those seeking to join the military can test locally

Why Military Support Matters

For me, supporting the military is personal. Having served myself, I know the value and challenges of that experience. At ECPI, nearly 35 percent of our students and more than 10 percent of our faculty and staff share that connection. Their presence shapes our community, and their discipline, leadership, and resilience inspire me daily.

I take pride in the fact that ECPI is recognized as one of the nation’s Best for Vets Colleges by Military Times and as a Military Friendly® School. But what matters most to me is what I see every day: students balancing coursework with deployments, families navigating transitions, and graduates stepping into meaningful careers.

Helping Military and Veteran Students Succeed

At ECPI University, we back up our words with action. Some of the ways we support military and veteran students include:

• Flexible schedules with classes online, on-campus, or in hybrid formats, day or night
• Partnerships with ArmyIgnitEd, Air Force GEM, Navy VEC, and MyCAA
• Participation in GI Bill®, Tuition Assistance, and scholarship programs
• A dedicated Military and Veteran Center team to answer questions and provide guidance
• Access to academic and personal support through Career Services and WellConnect
• Student Veterans of America (SVA) chapters on many campuses to build camaraderie and connection
• Explore all Military and Veteran’s Education resources at ECPI University

Looking Ahead

The challenges facing veterans and their families are real and urgent. But what I saw last week reminded me that progress is possible when people come together with focus and purpose.

As someone who has the privilege of leading ECPI’s Military Education work, I see every day how important these connections are. I am proud that our university is part of the solution, helping to create awareness, bring people together, and make sure veterans and their families can find the right help, right now.

About the Author: Bill Brown, Executive Director of Military Education 

Bill Brown is a retired Army officer and seasoned military and veteran education executive. He brings extensive leadership and management expertise, with a career spanning global assignments in operations, personnel, and logistics. Known as a collaborative and innovative leader, he approaches his work with intellectual rigor and genuine enthusiasm, dedicated to advancing education and support for service members and veterans.