Jacksonville, AL – As originally reported by Brett Buckner of JSU’s Media Department, James Monroe, a 59-year-old veteran who spent seven years in the National Guard, was facing a dark period in his life. Laid off from work and struggling with depression, Monroe knew he needed help. That help came from an unexpected but life-changing source—Jacksonville State University.
“They said I should go over to JSU,” Monroe recalled, referring to a suggestion made by both his brother, a fellow veteran, and the local Veterans Affairs Office. “I was going through a lot at the time. Really, asking for help was the hardest part.”
What he found at JSU was more than just assistance—it was a pathway to recovery and opportunity. Through the Victory Center and Victory Workforce Development Services (VWDS), Monroe became the first veteran to complete both programs, a milestone marked by dedication and transformation.
“Because of Mr. Monroe’s dedication to the program and determination to make a better life for himself, he became our first full-circle client,” said Christine Franklin, a VWDS specialist. “This means that he was able to utilize all resources of the Victory Center and Victory Workforce, making it a full circle of services.”
The Victory Center, opened in January, is a collaborative effort between JSU and community partners to provide comprehensive support for veterans, reservists, and their families. Services include mental and physical health care, training, and peer-focused programming. VWDS complements these efforts by offering job readiness training, resume building, employment support, and peer counseling for veterans and their spouses.
Monroe spent six weeks in counseling while also working with the VWDS team to identify potential career paths. “We all just started figuring out what might be the best jobs for me,” Monroe said. “They offered all kinds of help for me. They really seemed to care about me.”
With interviews already lined up, Monroe is optimistic about the future. A skilled tradesman with experience in welding and maintenance fabrication, he’s hopeful that his next opportunity is just around the corner. “I’m really good at what I do,” he said. “I just need someone to see that. I just always try to keep moving forward.”
Franklin said Monroe’s journey is just the beginning. “Being able to change the life of a veteran not only changes them, but it changes us too. We go through this journey with them, and to see them come out on the other side smiling and so grateful means the world to us.”
JSU’s commitment to veterans goes beyond programming. The university has been recognized as a Military Friendly® School for the 2025–26 academic year and has expanded its Military Tuition Rate to include all veterans, ensuring affordability alongside support.
Monroe, now a proud advocate of the programs that helped turn his life around, hopes other veterans will take the same step. “It’s amazing. I can’t say enough about it. The only problem is that not enough veterans know that something like this is out there for them.”
For Monroe and others like him, JSU’s Victory Center and VWDS are more than just resources—they are a second chance.
