Meeting the Transitional Needs of Military-Connected Students Mark Eister Director of Military Outreach Georgia State University Tuesday, March 14, 2017 Convention Center, Room 007 C

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwt4RggTEEw&app=desktop https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDbqLul97Fg

Agenda Why Are We Here? Military/Veteran Profile Transition Challenges VA Benefits Trends Veteran Statistics Best Practices/Services Offered Q & A

Mark Eister US Army (Ret) Director of Military Outreach Georgia State University Combat tour in Afghanistan, with Military Service across the US and Germany Czech Republic Austria Slovenia Switzerland South Korea France Hungary Italy England Netherlands Luxembourg Denmark Poland Belgium China

“Military Friendly” Everybody’s doing it...

Why Are We Here? Jarrad Turner Student Veteran Navy Corpsman Purple Heart PTSD/TBI Wounded Warrior Leader DAV (Disabled American Vets)

Who is a Student Veteran? Student Veterans are a diverse group: From all branches of the military Range in age, race/ethnicity, and gender Have served during times of war and peace Have different educational goals More likely to have families

Military Experience Separation from family or loved ones Most are leaving home for the first time Separation from extended family and close friends Separation from boyfriends and girlfriends May be assigned to a base in a different part of the country or world Adjustments to new climates and culture Bond with new ‘family’

Transition Strengths Veterans transitioning from the military to college bring a unique perspective Military training Life experience Expansive world view Skills taught in the military help students to be successful Leadership Discipline/Motivation Time Management Work Ethic Stress Management

Transition Challenges Older than classmates – average student veteran’s age is 24 Alienation – different life experiences can make integration a challenge Insensitivity of some when discussing military and war – veterans’ different views and experiences sometimes invite attacks

Transition Challenges Potential transition barriers to success Translating military skills into a new profession Changing focus from military to civilian Deciphering transfer credits from military training and multiple colleges/universities Navigating the application, enrollment and registration process Using GI Bill and other VA benefits NOT focusing enough on their strengths

Transition Difficulties Things to understand about student veterans in the classroom: Some may... Have difficulty relating to classmates Find loud noises to be disturbing Become anxious with changes in the classroom Have excessive absences Have PTSD or TBI (and may not even know it)

Student Veterans are using a variety of VA educational benefits Veteran Benefits Student Veterans are using a variety of VA educational benefits Post 9/11 GI Bill Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve GI Bill National Call to Service Program Reserve Educational Assistance (REAP) Survivors & Dependents Assistance (DEA) Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E) Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)

Student Veterans with Disabilities 20-30% of Veterans of OIF/OEF have PTSD symptoms 19% (or more) have mild TBIs (Rand, Sept 2014), and some of these veterans are on our campuses New Disability Unaware of services May not want to identify as having a disability due to stigma, pride, etc.

Veteran Stats Georgia has over 774,000 Veterans, 5th most in the nation Combat reduction and military drawdown increased this number Enduring VA benefits and ‘Transfer of Entitlement’ will continue to bring more veterans and their families to our campuses

Mil/Vet Students at Georgia State University Largest veteran/military population in Georgia – approximately 2,300+ (known) each semester 1,400+ students receiving VA benefits or TA (Spring Semester, 2017) 900+ more attending GSU who are not receiving VA benefits Number of veterans on college campuses is expected to continue to increase

Strategies for Being More Military Friendly Senior Leadership Involvement and Support MOC (Military Outreach Centers) Military Scholarships SVA (Student Veterans Association) Green Zone MVP (Mentoring Veterans Program) Peer-to-Peer Advising (PAVE Program) CAV (Calling All Veterans) Inter-departmental Collaboration/Cooperation Local Organizational Support

Military Outreach Center Main MOC: Veterans Lounge, Computer Lab, Library, Study Area, Conference/Training Room, Advisement Offices, Furnished Kitchenette All six campuses have MOC’s, staffed by Military Student Advocates who are veterans Services provided to active military, veterans and their families in the following areas: Financial Aid Academic Advising VA Benefits Information Disability Accommodations Personal Counseling Services Peer-to-Peer Support & Mentoring Referral to State and Federal Resources

Military Outreach Center Computers, free printing, free snacks and drinks, lounge area, TV/DVD, study area, advisement offices, conference and meeting area. Mark Eister and Chris Noerjadi with MOC Donations

MOC Art

MOC Resource Booths Located on all five GSU, Perimeter College Campuses Staffed by VA Work-Study students

Military Scholarships Military Outreach Scholarship State Farm Veterans Scholarship Marcus Foundation Scholarships (10/semester) VFW Post 10822 Scholarship Remington Youngblood/Change4Georgia Scholarship AVVBA (Atlanta Vietnam Veterans Business Association) Scholarship American Legion Post 66 Scholarship Colonel Robert E. Rogan Scholarship Veterans Emergency Relief Fund (Marcus)

SVA Student Veterans Association Two chapters of Student Veterans of America at Georgia State University and Perimeter College of GSU Student-led, college-wide organization providing veterans the opportunity to meet together to study, relax, plan events and perform community service.

GSU Military Outreach Programs Green Zone (Staff & Faculty Military Awareness Training Program) MVP (Mentoring Veterans Program) CAV (Calling All Veterans)

Things to Remember Military and Veteran students are a unique population with diverse experiences, challenges and contributions they bring to our campuses. There are numerous ways to help student veterans, just as there are for other student populations. Senior Leadership Support is critical to truly becoming a ‘Military/Veteran Friendly’ School!

QUESTIONS?

Georgia State University Mark Eister Phone: 678-891-3097 Email: meister@gsu.edu Military Outreach Center