Helping Our Veterans: What We Can Do
Diane Sandefur
University of Pennsylvania
Overview
Veterans as Agents of Change
Impact of the GI Bill
What Veteran Students Need
Resilience and Achievement
Vet Friendly Institutions
The Transition
What Veterans Bring
Classroom Challenges
Q&A
From Combat to College
Veterans As Agents of Change
On The Campus Community
Impact of the GI Bill
College
enrollment
of
veterans
has
greatly
increased
since 9/11
A 2009
survey by the
American Council
on Education found
that 70% of public
colleges and 57%
of private
institutions
surveyed had
increased their
veteran-specific
programming
since 2001
In 2011
928,836
service
members
received
federal
education
benefits,
with 555,329
having served
since 9/11
University Enrolled Veterans
(2) There has
been an
expansion
of campus
facilities,
programs and
opportunities
1) More than
2,000,000
veterans
are returning
home
(3) Post 9/11
GI Bill covers
almost all
academic
expenses
The Transition
From Combat
To College
For College Success Veterans Must
Make the transition FROM a highly
STRUCTURED environment
TO one that expects
a great deal of INDEPENDENCE
What Do Student Veterans Need?
What do all
human beings
need?
What Do Student
Veterans NOT
Need?
The GOAL is to
convey to the
Veterans that
Acceptance
and
Genuineness
Probing
questions about
their military
experience
They deserve
higher
education
Expertise
and
Understanding
Questions about
their disabilities
unless it is
caring to assist
with learning
They can
achieve higher
education
To be put down,
judged, treated
less than the
best from you
They are supported
as they move
forward to meet
their full potential
Empathy
and Firm
Guidance
GOAL
Veteran Friendly Institutions
What works best for
• The Institution
and
• The Veteran
Veteran Task Force:
• Community Agencies
• Veteran Agencies
• Veteran Students &
Veteran Faculty
An active commitment
with policies and
procedures that
are supported from
the top down
Tuition & the GI Bill
• Flexibility at deployment
• Generous Yellow Ribbon
• Possible Deferment
Veteran
Specific
Space
Veteran Resource Center
Veteran
Specific
Orientation
Provide a Vet
Counselor
Provide
Tutors
Community &
Employment
Partnerships
Dedicated
Certifying
Official
Assist in the
Transition
Process
Connection
Building:
Provide
Academic
Advisor
with each
other
Provide
Logistical
Information
with faculty
& staff
Provide
Disability
Counselor
Veteran
Recruiter
Veteran
Outreach
Activities
Peer to Peer
Mentoring
Faculty &
Staff Training
Additional Resources That Support Veterans in School
A VET Resource
Center
Increases:
Student
Services
Office
Writing
Workshops
Study Skills
Workshops
Enrollment,
Retention and
Graduation
Remediation
Office
Transition
Office
Financial Aid
Office
Student
Veterans Can
Support
One Another
Counseling
Office
Book Loan
Program
Vet Rep
Office
Transition Into College
Ask For
Help
Participate in
Activities
Know signs
of physical
stress
Take notes
or record
lectures
Find study
partners
Realize that
some may not
agree with
military service
Know signs
of mental
stress
Get to know
professors
Use school’s
resources
Eat well
and exercise
Get Plenty
of Rest
Start with a
few courses
What Do Veterans Bring to the Classroom?
Worldly Outlook:
Veterans have
experiences of
living abroad and
knowing other
cultures.
Flexibility:
Veterans are
better prepared
to handle
differences
Veteran
Qualities:
loyalty, leadership,
respect, integrity,
duty, reliability, and
working as a team
Academic
Abilities:
Veterans are
focused and
determined
Challenges in the Classroom
Difficulty
taking orders
from a civilian
Civilians may
probe about
military
experience
Trouble
concentrating –
remove
distractions
Veterans
avoid
crowds
PTSD and TBI
Lowered
engagement
faculty & staff
They often
feel
invincible
Low tolerance
for
incompetence
Medication
Issues
Sexual
trauma in
the military
Veterans will
be older, this
can be an
advantage
Difficulty
connecting
with others
Challenges
with partners
& family
Resources
http://www.todaysgibill.org/
http://www.soc.aascu.org/Default.html
http://www.acenet.edu/Content/NavigationMenu
/ProgramsServices/MilitaryPrograms/index.htm
http://www.gibill.va.gov/
http://www.studentveterans.org/
https://www.ww2012.com/common/home.action
Department of Defense
Veterans Education Symposium