1
Ryan Van Dusen, Ph.D.
Student Veteran Peer Mentor Programs
I.
Rationale:
According to DiRamio & Jarvis (2011), problems experienced by student veterans in
their transition to college can be reduced if a structured peer mentor system is
established. These student’s military careers were based on the concept of teamwork
and peer connections. As they are begin their educational pursuits, many student
veterans struggle with acclimation and acculturation to the collegiate environment.
DiRamio & Jarvis (2011) wrote, “Finding a niche on a large campus through peer
connections, returning adult programs, and learning communities designed for
veterans can provide the support and structure necessary to assist in this transition”
(p. 32). This study will attempt to identify the need for a Veteran Peer Mentor
Program at Texas Tech. The survey will assess the need and willingness to
participate in a program designed to assist veterans as they transition into Texas Tech.
II.
Subjects:
a. The specific population to be studied is student veterans enrolled at Texas Tech
University. All students identified as veterans will be surveyed. Their
participation will be voluntary and anonymous.
b. Participants will be recruited by sending an email though a listserv created by the
Military & Veterans Programs Office. The message will be sent by blind carbon
copy as to protect the individual’s Texas Tech University email addressed. Phase
One will be an analysis of the mentor need survey to determine the willingness of
students to participate in the program.
c. If a peer mentor program is established, a Phase Two follow-up survey may be
created.
III.
Procedures:
a. The surveys will be distributed to potential participants through email. There will
be one message distributed to determine the need for a peer mentor program. At
the end of the survey, the participant will be directed to a second survey that will
collect the email address of participants who are willing to volunteer to be peer
mentors.
b. There is no risk of adverse effects. The only risk is the potential of student
privacy being violated. This risk will be minimized because a full-time Staff
member employed by Military & Veterans Program (not the researcher) has
access to the student email and will distribute messages using blind carbon copy.
The email addresses collected will be maintained and protected by the researcher.
All identifying data will be destroyed after one year.
2
c. There will be no compensation for participants.
IV.
Adverse Events and Liability:
a. Subjects will not be exposed to any increased risk during data collection because
there is no direct interaction between the student and the researcher. Data will be
collected through an on-line survey instrument and participants can opt out of
participation at any time during the data collection process. Any personal
identifying information collected will be immediately destroyed by the researcher.
The email addresses collected will be maintained and protected by the researcher.
All identifying data will be destroyed after one year.
b. Thus, no liability plan is offered.
V.
Consent Form
a. No consent form will be required for participants. However, a statement in the
recruiting email will explain the research process and the assurance of voluntary
and anonymous participation.
References
DiRamio, D., & Jarvis, K. (2011). Veterans in Higher Education: When Johnny and Jane Come
Marching to Campus. ASHE Higher Education Report, Volume 37, Number 3.
3
Appendix A:
Recruiting Materials
Email
Dear Student Veteran,
Military & Veterans Programs is looking for student veterans to participate in a research study
on the need for a student veteran peer mentor program. Please complete this brief survey to
share your views on your experiences at Texas Tech University and your willingness to
potentially serve as a mentor for a student veteran new to Texas Tech University. Completion of
this survey is voluntary and should take less than five minutes to complete. No names or emails
will be collected. Responses will be anonymous, questions can be skipped and you can quit
anytime by closing the browser window.
Please go the following link to complete the survey:
http://tlpdc.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_4Iq4QmQ5G14YQkc
For more information, please contact Dr. Ryan Van Dusen at ryan.van-dusen@ttu.edu or by
phone at (806) 742-6877.
4
Appendix B:
Surveys
Veteran Mentor Need Survey
The purpose of this survey is to identify the interest of undergraduate student veterans in a peerto-peer mentoring program. Participation in this survey is voluntary and all individual responses
will remain confidential.
What Branch of Service:

Coast Guard

Air Force

Army

Marine Corps

Navy
Years in Service
Highest Pay Grade Achieved
Type of Service

Active Duty

Guard/ Reserve
Gender

Male

Female
When I entered Texas Tech University, I was classified as the following:

Freshman

Transfer Student
When you entered Texas Tech University, what college did you apply to?

College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources
5

College of Architecture

College of Arts & Sciences

Jerry S. Rawls College of Business Administration

College of Education

Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering

Honors College

College of Human Sciences

College of Mass Communications

College of Visual & Performing Arts

University College
In which college are you currently enrolled?

College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources

College of Architecture

College of Arts & Sciences

Jerry S. Rawls College of Business Administration

College of Education

Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering

Honors College

College of Human Sciences

College of Mass Communications

College of Visual & Performing Arts

University College
How many credit hours did you transfer into Texas Tech University?
How many credit hours have completed Texas Tech University?
When I entered Texas Tech University, I would have benefited from having a peer mentor.
6

Strongly Agree

Agree

Neither Agree nor Disagree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree
I would like to serve as a peer mentor for new student veterans enrolled at Texas Tech
University.

Strongly Agree

Agree

Neither Agree nor Disagree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree
When I began at Texas Tech University, I found it easy to relate to non-veteran students.

Strongly Agree

Agree

Neither Agree nor Disagree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree
When I began at Texas Tech University, I found it easy to relate to veteran students.

Strongly Agree

Agree

Neither Agree nor Disagree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree
I feel that my transition to Texas Tech University would have been easier if I had been paired
with a peer mentor.

Strongly Agree

Agree
7

Neither Agree nor Disagree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree
When I came to Texas Tech University, I was confident in my academic abilities.

Strongly Agree

Agree

Neither Agree nor Disagree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree
After my first semester at Texas Tech University, I was still confident in my academic abilities.

Strongly Agree

Agree

Neither Agree nor Disagree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree
When I came to Texas Tech University, I was confident in my ability to successfully navigate
the bureaucracy of the university.

Strongly Agree

Agree

Neither Agree nor Disagree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree
When I came to Texas Tech University, I was confident in my ability to apply for scholarships
and financial aid.

Strongly Agree

Agree

Neither Agree nor Disagree

Disagree
8

Strongly Disagree
Since I have been at Texas Tech University, I have been involved in one or more student
organizations.

Strongly Agree

Agree

Neither Agree nor Disagree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree
Since I have been at Texas Tech University, I have been comfortable asking for help with
subjects that I did not fully understand and I knew where to seek help.

Strongly Agree

Agree

Neither Agree nor Disagree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree
Suggested name for a veteran mentor program?
Conclusion of Survey will direct participants to the Participation Survey (a separate survey link).
Participation Survey
If you would like to volunteer to be a mentor, please provide your email below. Your personal
information will be protected and only used to send follow-up information about the veteran peer
mentor program (if established). Your information will not be shared or distributed to others for
any reason.
Email Address: