easing the transition: veteran success is the mission presented by: kimberly lourinia, excelsior...
TRANSCRIPT
Easing the Transition:Veteran Success is the Mission
Presented By:Kimberly Lourinia, Excelsior College
Trey Kelley, Alamo Colleges (SAC)Sylvia Rodriguez, Department of Veterans Affairs
Kimberly Lourinia◦ Academic Partnership Manager, Excelsior College
Trey Kelley◦ Coordinator-Student Success, Veteran Affairs, Alamo Colleges (SAC)
Sylvia Rodriguez◦ VetSuccess on Campus Counselor, Department of Veteran Affairs onsite
at Alamo Colleges (SAC)
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Presenters
Overview of the Veteran Population Example 1: Excelsior College Example 2: Alamo Colleges - San Antonio College Best practices Question & Answer
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Agenda
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Our Veteran Population
Retrieved from http://census.gov/library/infographics/veterans.html
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The transition into the military was not an overnight process.
Educators should not expect the transition from the military to the classroom to be any quicker.
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Challenges for Veterans
Reacquainting themselves with academic work Navigating complex campus administrative systems Finding support services to meet their needs Encountering negative reactions from the campus community
based on their participation in military conflicts Connecting with classmates and faculty Dealing with physical and/or mental injuries from service
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Unique Challenges
"I would show up on campus, talk to absolutely no one and go home," said Army Veteran Ben Miller, 27, who
did three tours in Iraq as a counterintelligence specialist. "I didn't feel like I really belonged."
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Student Experiences
May
-84
Jan-8
5
1987
-198
8
1989
-199
1
1990
1994
1997
1998
1999
1999
2001
-200
3
2003
-200
5
2005
2005
-200
9
2010
May-84
Jan-85
College 1 (9 SH)
College 2 (37 SH)
AA degree
College 3 (3 SH)
College 4 (12 SH)
College 5 (3 SH)
College 6 (3 SH)
College 7 (3 SH)
College 8 (3 SH)
College 9 (39 SH)
BS degree
College 10 (30 SH)
Retired MS degree
College 11 (18 SH)
MA degree
College 12 (66 SH)
EdD in progress
The Educational Journey of a Student Veteran
Student Veterans are a highly diverse group – as diverse as America itself They will want to see their military skill set recognized They can feel very alone on campus (particularly female veterans) They may be unaware of mild traumatic brain injuries There are things to always say and things to never say They will expect you to be trying to recruit them Most will put their commitment to military service above educational
aspirations They are used to structure and documentation To succeed, Veterans need your understanding, compassion and respect Employers want to hire Veterans - Veterans are one of America’s greatest
untapped human resources
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Ten Things You Should Know
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Evaluating Credit
The American Council on Educationwww.acenet.edu
Excelsior College cme.excelsior.edu
cme.excelsior.edu/credit-awarded-for-military-training
Alamo Colleges (SAC)
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Veterans Success Centerwww.veterans.excelsior.edu
Center for Military Education Military Experts
Military Admissions CounselorsMilitary Academic AdvisorsMilitary Representatives (On-Base)
Mentorship Program Webinar Series Career Services
www.excelsior.edu/career-center
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Excelsior College Resources
“Being a military expert is multifaceted. It’s knowing how the training and jobs relate to college credit, possessing
knowledge of the benefits military members have, such as Tuition Assistance and VA Benefits, and being able to
understand the ‘alphabet soup’ of acronyms that are thrown around. The ability to speak the unique language of the
military, and to understand where they are coming from with their education, is most important.”
- Mark Diodato, Excelsior College, Military Academic Advisor
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Military Expert Insight
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Awards, Partnerships, and Recognitions
Voted a “Best For Vets” college by the Military Times
Recognized as a “Military Friendly” institution by Military Advanced Education
Consortium Member and Degree Network System (SOCAD, SOCNAV, SOCMAR, and SOCCOAST)
School with Servicemember Opportunity Colleges (SOC)
Air University - Associate to Baccalaureate Cooperative (AU-ABC) program partner
Ranked a Military Friendly institution and recognized in G.I. Jobs
Supporter of the Yellow Ribbon Program’s events nationwide
Council of College and Military Educators member
Navy College Program Distance Learning Partnership institution
Marine Corps Distance Learning Partnership
Army Letter of Instruction (LOI) school
College of the American Soldier (CAS)
Enlisted Education Program (EEP)
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Veterans Center
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Support & Services
www.veterans.excelsior.edu Funding
Educational, Federal Aid, Grants, Loans, Military Programs, Scholarships
Excelsior Basics Bryant A. Murray Veterans Partnerships
Education and Capacity Builder
Career Resources Health & Wellness
MyHealtheVet, VA Mental Health Services, Suicide Prevention Resource Center
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Support & Services
News & Updates Business Ownership Faculty & Staff Transition Assistance Students Vet-to-Vet Wisdom A Moment of Silence
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The VBSN Project
http://www.excelsior.edu/vbsn Who Qualifies
Military Veterans, Reservists, National Guard Members Must be an registered nurse (RN)
BenefitsVeteran to Veteran MentoringMilitary Center and Nursing Academic AdvisorsForumsFaculty MentorNursing courses now include content that provides the opportunity for
Veterans to apply their military health experience to their current study of nursing
NUR 340: Caring for Our Nation’s Heroes and Their Families
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New Student Orientation Assigned Veteran Academic Advisor’s
From start to finish Faculty/Staff/Peer Mentors Disability Support Services Personal Counseling Services
3 LPCs staffed & readily available to our Veteran’s VetSuccess on Campus Counselor Career Readiness Services Warm Hand off upon competition of Degree/Certification
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San Antonio College -VA
The VetSuccess on Campus program is a collaborative effort between San Antonio College and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with the purpose of providing a supportive on-campus environment for student Veterans. Services provided will enable student Veterans to make a smooth transition to college life and successfully complete their educational programs.
The VA has placed a full-time, experienced Vocational Counselor on the SAC campus. This counselor will serve as “one-stop liaison” for Veterans, active duty military and their eligible family members who attend or plan to attend SAC.
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VetSuccess on Campus
Information on VA educational benefits to include: Montgomery G.I. Bill (Chapter 30), Post 9/11 G.I. Bill (Chapter 33), and other VA and non-VA educational benefits
How to apply for and maximize your VA educational benefits should you be eligible for more than one benefit
Understanding and applying for Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (Chapter 31)
Vocational exploration and career counseling services Information on college credit for military experience & training Job placement assistance and referrals to state employment agencies and services Information on applying for other VA benefits to include disability compensation,
Life Insurance and Home Loan Guaranty Assistance with electing healthcare benefits through the Veterans Health
Administration Information and referrals for VA medical and mental health services Referrals to the local Vet Center for readjustment counseling services Referrals to on-campus, community and VA resources to ensure academic success
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Your VetSuccess on Campus Counselor can assist you with:
1. Create a culture of trust and connectedness across the campus community to promote well-being and success for Veterans.
2. Ensure consistent and sustained support from campus leadership.
3. Implement an early alert system to ensure all Veterans receive academic, career, and financial advice before challenges become overwhelming.
4. Coordinate and centralize campus efforts for all Veterans, together with the creation of a designated space (even if limited in size)
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8 Keys To SuccessWhite House Guidelines to Help Veterans
5. Collaborate with local communities and organizations, including government agencies, to align and coordinate various services for Veterans.
6. Use a uniform set of data tools to collect and track information on Veterans, including demographics, retention and degree completion.
7. Provide comprehensive professional development for faculty and staff on issues and challenges unique to Veterans.
8. Develop systems that ensure sustainability of effective practices for Veterans.
http://www.ccdaily.com/Pages/Campus-Issues/White-House-promotes-guidelines-to-help-veterans.aspx
Designate experts who are well-versed in all chapters of military as well as non-military funding options
Treat this population with respect. Actively listen to their needs
Early intervention processes Participate in student Veteran groups Create partnerships Bridge the gap – ease the transition Know institutions internal resources and direct students to
appropriate points of contact (TBI, PTSD, Transition, Disability Services)
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What Can We Do?
Top-down support within the institution Central point of contact and programs within the institution
that help students navigate the college experience and assist with the transition
Dedicated staff with strong, expert knowledge of military matters
Welcoming environment that supports retention and academic success
Providing institutional training focused on improving campus knowledge of student Veterans
Streamlined processes
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What Makes You A Veteran Friendly Institution?
Kimberly Lourinia◦ Academic Partnership Manager, Excelsior College
◦ (518) 608-8321 / [email protected]
Trey Kelley◦ Coordinator-Student Success, Veteran Affairs, Alamo Colleges (SAC)
◦ (210) 486-0867 / [email protected]
Sylvia Rodriguez
◦ VetSuccess on Campus Counselor, Department of Veteran Affairs onsite at Alamo Colleges – SAC
◦ (210) 486-0018 / [email protected]
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Contact Us
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Questions & Brainstorming