CREATING A MILITARY FRIENDLY
ADVISING CENTER
Did Collaboration in the Military
Support Committee Lead to
Transformations in the Academic
Advising Center?
About Us
Donna Stacey, M.Ed.
▪ US Army, Retired ▪ Serves veterans as leader in The American Legion ▪ Ran
successful sporting goods business ▪ Worked as HR Manager in hospitality
field ▪ Continues to share professional experiences with CSU students
Sonya Kopp, M.Ed.
▪ Former ESL Teacher (Czech Republic, Spain, and US) ▪ Experience as
Corporate Communications Director ▪ Experienced classroom teacher (HS,
college, and adult learners) ▪ Academic Advisor at CSU since 2010 ▪
Passionate about 1st Generation College Students/Rural Education
CSU Mission
Columbia Southern University provides diverse learning
experiences and affordable, flexible distance education
programs at the certificate, undergraduate, and graduate
levels to a global student body, delivered by qualified,
student-centered faculty committed to teaching and student
learning. The University is dedicated to providing
exceptional academic and student support services.
CSU Overview
CSU students are classified as adult learners – average age 41
Includes 3 colleges:
 College of Arts and Sciences
 College of Business
 College of Safety and Emergency Services
Programs delivered online
Accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council
(DETC)
Enrollment Options
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Per Course: 10 weeks in length
– designed with student flexibility in mind
– completed through independent study
– can begin course at any time
– students using military Tuition Assistance, corporate reimbursement, and self-pay
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Term: 8 weeks in length
– set start and end dates coinciding with Academic Term Calendar
– requires weekly interaction through discussion board postings
– weekly assignments
– required for students using financial aid and veteran benefits.
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Flexible Term: 8 weeks in length
– set start and end dates coinciding with Academic Term Calendar
– completed through flexible study with attendance verification
– only available to students using veteran benefits
Academic Advising Center Mission
The Academic Advising Center at Columbia
Southern University engages students
through personal and purposeful advising
strategies, focusing on student success with
timely, accurate, and professional service.
Academic Advising Center Overview
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Division by colleges:
– College of Arts and Sciences – 3 advisors
– College of Business – 20 advisors (including 2 Sr. AAs)
– College of Safety and Emergency Services – 17 advisors (including 1 Sr. AA)
Director, Asst. Director, 3 Team Managers (one per college), Training Coordinator,
Training Assistant
Average student to advisor ratio: 1,000/1
– Goal: 800/1
Primary advising tools: phone, email, chat, Degree Advisement Plan,
Comprehensive Degree Report, myCSU Student Portal, Contact Management
System, Blackboard
Current proactive initiatives: Initial Advising Session, Continuous Enrollment
Initiative, Students Struggling, Unsuccessful Course Completion
Military Affiliated Student Population
Percentage of Military and Non-Military Students
Who Took a Course between 01/01/2014 and 06/30/2014
46%
54%
Military
Not Military
Military Affiliated Student Population
PERCENTAGE OF MILITARY STUDENT FUNDING
GoArmyEd
Tuition Assistance
myCAA
VA Benefits
17%
30%
29%
23%
1%
FA
Military Affiliations
 GoArmyEd (GAE)
 Service members Opportunity Colleges (SOC)
 Air University Associate to Baccalaureate Cooperative (AUABC)
 Academic Institution of the Air Force (AI Portal)
Military Support Committee (MSC)
 Members include staff, faculty, provost’s and president’s
council members.
 Members are primarily former service members from all
military branches with various levels of military service
represented.
 Initiated in March 2013
 Purpose to increase awareness with the university and
bridge the gap between military/veteran students and
CSU staff and faculty.
Military Support Committee Actions
 Evaluated institution against DOD’s Military Friendly
Institution Requirements
 Designated staff members in each department (military
support group) to serve as contact for the
military/veteran student
 Developed Military Statement of Service and placed on
website
 Established a phone number and email address
dedicated to service members and veterans
Military Support Committee Actions
 Reviewed all policies and procedures to improve
services to military and veteran students
 Established Military 101 Training and trained all
departments
 Increases awareness with faculty and staff to the
uniqueness of military students for decision making
considerations
 Recognizes veterans and active duty on CSU faculty and
staff during patriotic holidays
Military Support Committee Actions
 Set up and participated in 2-day VITAL (Veterans
Integration to Academic Leadership) training conducted
by VA
– Enhanced academic retention and success of military
students
– Cultivated awareness of PTSD and TBI
– Educated staff and faculty about military and veteran
culture
CSU Military Friendly Policies
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Military Statement of Service
VA flexible term enrollment option
VA flex payment option
Graduate level tuition capped at DOD max for active
duty/military TA
 Red/White/Blue honor cords for military graduates
 Streamlined final grade reporting for military portals
 Free book shipment to APO addresses
CSU Military Friendly Policies
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Incomplete for Special Circumstances
Withdrawal for Special Circumstances
AAS for BS Degree Seeking Students program
Course Load Waiver policy
Per Course enrollment option
Course incomplete
Maximization of transfer credits
Obtain official transcripts at no charge to students including Joint
Services Transcript (JST)
Advising Military/Veteran Students
 “…advisor understanding of student-veterans, proves critical because
advisors will likely have increased contact with the student-veteran
population compared to other institutional representatives” (Ryan et al,
2011, p. 56)
 “Military academic advising is not just transcripts and unfamiliar military
terms… Advisors should be proactive and encouraging, giving military
students solid and consistent advisement about the many avenues to
earn college-level credit” (Dean, 2004)
 “…[military student] patience can be worn thin if they find that their
chosen college or university is more bureaucracy driven than even the
military” (Keenan, 2009)
What Did They Say?
My name is SSG Austin, and I am
in the middle of a PCS from my
current duty station here in
Twenty-Nine Palms to Camp
Lejeune. Upon arrival, I will be
going on deployment. If I choose
to use Chap. 33 rather than TA,
how long will it take for me to
start receiving BAH?
I am a SrA stationed at Kadena
ABS. I recently went on TDY to the
ROK and while I was there I
decided to re-enlist. When I signed
the paperwork, my CO
recommended I get a B.A. in my
next enlistment. I already finished
my CCAF, so now I want to pursue
your B.S.B.A. degree. My AFSC
has a lot of training, and I want to
know if the credits will transfer. I
will request transcripts from AU at
Maxwell AFB.
CSU Military Friendly Advising
 One academic advisor on MSC and 5 assigned to
Military Support Group
 All members of Military Support Group participated in
VITAL training
 All advisors received Military 101 training
 Military students assigned to advisors by college/degree
program
Advising Assistance – Active Duty
 Phone/email services due to limited phone and internet
access (overseas/deployed)
 Expedite enrollment and book shipment to overseas locations
 CLEP/DSST/DANTES information for transfer
 Knowledgeable about DOD courses for graduate student
transfer
 Review JST for most up-to-date credit
 Course Load Waiver
 ACE evaluated credit
Academic Advising - Veterans
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Offer VA Flex Enrollment to students using VA
Offer Flex pay option to VA students
CLEP/DSST Info
Recommend proctor services on base/post – transitioning
Familiar with VA benefits and payments, paperwork
requirements, etc.
 Approve parent letters for course transfers
 Course Load Waiver Policy and term flexibility
 Office of Disability Services
Military Advising at CSU
 “I try to explain things thoroughly and slowly to
[military/veteran students]. They sometimes feel intimidated
due to age/first time student.”
 “…typically request [me] to walk student through Blackboard
and/or student portal…”
 “Military students may require special accommodations when
overseas…”
 “If a student is going to get deployed then I usually suggest
they wait until they get to their new post before enrolling into
more courses.”
Military Advising at CSU
 “I find myself advising them as I would any other
student.”
 “I think that CSU’s general flexibility and the fact that we
have phone rotations and don’t have to set up an
appointment works well for [military students].”
 “Our academic advising center works well because of
the knowledge that we have about all areas of CSU and
how to get things done quickly.”
Military Advising at CSU
CSU’s exemplary customer service
and flexible policies create
academic advising that is equal for
all students – regardless of
affiliation.
Military Advising at CSU
Awareness and sensitivity are key
to making adjustments when
needed no matter the situation or
student.
References
Ryan, Shawn W., Carlstrom, Aaron H., Hugher, Kenneth F., & Harris, Brandonn S. (2011).
From Boots to Books: Applying Schlossberg’s Model to Transitioning American
Veterans. NACADA Journal Volume 31(1), pp. 55-63.
Dean, Kevin K. (2004). Military Academic Advising. The Mentor: An Academic Advising
Journal. http://dus.psu.edu/mentor/old/articles/040714kd.htm.
Keenan, Lisa. (2009). Making a Difference to the Military Student. Academic Advising
Today, 32:2. http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Resources/Academic-AdvisingToday/View-Articles/Making-a-Difference-to-the-Military-Student.aspx.
Questions
Contact Information
Donna Stacey, M.Ed.
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donna.Stacey@columbiasouthern.edu
800.977.8449, ext. 1462
Sonya Kopp, M.Ed.
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sonya.kopp@columbiasouthern.edu
800.977.8449, ext. 1221