Veterans interested in starting their own businesses now have access to a new entrepreneurship library at Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC). The Veteran Entrepreneur Library is located at the Nevada Military Support Alliance Major General Ronald J. Bath Veterans and Family Center (VFC) on TMCC’s Dandini Campus.
The library is an initiative of the Nevada Veterans Business Outreach Center (NVVBOC), which operates as part of the U.S. Small Business Administration. NVVBOC aims to help veterans, disabled veterans, National Guard members, active and reserve service members, and their spouses grow the economy by supporting business creation among these groups.
A ribbon-cutting event hosted by the Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce marked the opening of the library. TMCC President Jeffrey Alexander introduced the project during this event.
“We want to support veterans as they transition to becoming business owners and entrepreneurs—and hopefully very successful ones at that,” said Alexander. “At TMCC, we know that by investing in veteran entrepreneurship, we're helping to fuel job creation, and we are building a stronger, more resilient economy here in Northern Nevada.”
The collection includes books on small business ownership from authors such as Michael Port, Steve Chou, Daymond John, Brene Brown, Mark Sanborn, and others.
“What makes this space even more important, and more special, is the collaboration behind it,” Alexander continued. “It's a product of a whole host of organizations who've come together to make it possible, government agencies, community partners—and all for the purpose of uplifting and empowering our veterans. And it is more than a space, it’s a hub for innovation and learning, and a place where we can celebrate the leadership and the legacy of our local veteran entrepreneurs.”
Felipe Gutierrez De Alba, Veteran Services Program Director at TMCC added: “This will be a great resource for student veterans and veterans in the community who want to become business owners, and we can potentially get some prospective students connected with our Business Department. This also gives the VFC another resource within the community to connect with students.”
The launch event concluded with an expert panel discussion on entrepreneurship featuring Gutierrez De Alba; Brandon Ward from NVVBOC; Elizabeth Hill from SBA; Michael Colyer—an SBA Nevada Veteran Small Business Winner; and Lurdes Madrigal from NVVBOC.
Veterans interested in using or donating books related to professional development or entrepreneurship can visit room 241 in Red Mountain Building or contact VFC for details.
In other news related to TMCC's outreach efforts abroad, Kofi Poku—Chair of TMCC's Business Department—served as visiting professor during SENATI’s International Week in Huancayo, Peru from July 7-9. SENATI provides vocational education across Peru through partnerships with institutions worldwide.
“SENATI is the leading technical/vocational institution with industry focus... It partners with other institutions all over the world to produce a high-quality education that meets the needs of Peruvian citizens in our contemporary world,” said Poku.
Poku first worked with SENATI remotely in 2021 before traveling this year for an in-person seminar attended by 30 students and six teachers. He led sessions on personal presentation skills for business success including communication strategies and interview preparation.
“From the topics discussed... I exposed students to how to position themselves appropriately... The meeting was warmly received... The students made a proposal for program expansion because they believed these tools would help them thrive across all disciplines,” he said.
For further information about either program or available resources at TMCC—including EPIC’s range of lifelong learning classes taught by instructors like Jen Holt—community members are encouraged to contact relevant departments directly.