Texas A&M Military Admissions Counselor Receives VIQTORY Award

Karen Allen, military admissions counselor in the Don & Ellie Knauss Veteran Resource & Support Center (VRSC) at Texas A&M University, recently received the 2021 Inaugural Veteran Champion of the Year in Higher Education Award. The award honors persons who advocate for the advancement of the nation’s veterans and help them to be successful  at institutions of higher learning.

The award is issued by VIQTORY, a recruitment marketing agency that publishes G.I. Jobs Magazine and Military Spouse Magazine and also has programs geared toward the successful expansion of a veteran and military-affiliated civilian workforce.

Nominees must have a proven track record of advocating on behalf of the nation’s current and former service members. These include advocating for the recruitment, enrollment, retention, graduation and job-placement of veterans; seeking to improve programs and services for veterans within higher education; and working to bridge the cultural gap between veterans and civilian students who are unfamiliar with the military community.

“Karen’s contribution to the success of countless student veterans is amazing,” said Col. Jerry Smith, USMC (Ret.), VRSC director. “Her dedication and passion to ‘serve well those who have served’ has changed lives and created incredible impact for our veterans and their families.”

Allen helped create the Regalia Rental Closet that provides student veterans with their graduation gowns, caps, tassels, and hoods (for master’s degree recipients) for graduation ceremonies. It lessens the financial burden of those items which are required to participate in graduation ceremonies.

She also started Bringing in Maroon Santa, a program that provides Christmas gifts to the dependents of student veterans. She helped introduce various VRSC programs to the Aggies Moms Clubs across Texas.