Lipscomb University receives grant funding from Tennessee Higher Education Commission

Lipscomb University has received a $150,000 grant from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission’s Veteran Connect grant program. The funding will support the university’s Office of Veteran Services in providing military-connected students with mental health and wellness services through advocacy, training, and awareness initiatives and the BRIDGE program, which is a combined effort of Veteran Services and the University Counseling Center.

According to an article on Lipscomb University’s website, Sam Lynn, who serves as the director of the Office of Veteran Services, is quoted as saying, “Military-connected students represent approximately 10% of Lipscomb’s student body, and they face unique transition challenges and behavioral health risks. Lipscomb’s BRIDGE program aims to close existing gaps in support by fostering a military-informed campus culture and streamlining access to specialized clinical resources. Military-connected students often experience higher rates of anxiety, depression and social isolation than their civilian peers. Current data indicates that while Lipscomb provides robust student services, many MCS feel these services are not tailored to their unique experiences. By implementing the BRIDGE program, Lipscomb will strengthen the capacity of mental health providers to address the needs of these particular students.”

The two-year BRIDGE program will unfold in four parts. These four parts include the building of a campus community that understands and respects military-connected students; strengthening the capacity of the University Counseling Center to address the needs of military-connected students; increasing awareness for the BRIDGE program and the services and resources available on campus; and strengthening connects between the campus and the larger surrounding community.

To build an understanding campus community, the program will appoint faculty and staff members to serve as advocates who will become the bridges to military-connected students receiving the support they need. These advocates will receive training through a one-day event in the summer of 2027, which will prepare them to assist military-connected students with their mental health and wellness. When they complete the training, the advocate will receive a placard for their office door that identifies them as such.

To strengthen the capacity of University Counseling Center counselors to address the needs of military-connected students, the university will form a contract with the Cohen Veteran Network in order to develop a training program that will enhance their knowledge and expertise in issues affecting military-connected students, such as suicide and post-traumatic stress.

To increase awareness of BRIDGE and other resources available to students on campus, the project team will distribute BRIDGE bags around campus in the Fall 2027 semester. The bags will contain information about BRIDGE services and other promotional items.

To improve access to external resources, Veteran Services will create a monthly BRIDGE lunch-and-learn event that will bring in speakers representing various external services of interest to military-connected students.

The BRIDGE program will also utilize the on-campus Lipscomb Family Therapy Center and graduate students in the marriage and family therapy (MFT) and clinical mental health counseling (CMHC) programs. 

Ashley Dumas, who serves as the director of the counseling center, said, “Working with the entire family system is very interesting and exciting. It’s an opportunity for the UCC to collaborate clinically with the LFTC to provide care.”

Lynn noted, “Many of our students who are children of veterans have grown up moving every few years, so they sometimes find it difficult to form lasting friendships and can experience hopelessness stemming from that. Spouses, who have often been acting as single parents, can struggle with making friends, fear of the unknown and anxiety.”

The BRIDGE program will assist military-connected students, which includes veterans as well as the spouses and children of veterans, who are also often in need of support.

The Lipscomb University Office of Veteran Services has received a total of $730,663 in THEC funding since 2015.

For more information about Lipscomb University, visit the school’s website.