Exploring CSU and the WHY Maggie Walsh, Assistant Chief of Staff, and Director of Veteran Initiatives Marc Barker, Director of Adult Learner and Veteran Services, and Military and Veteran Benefits

Colorado State University is Committed to Veterans Colorado State University’s goal is to educate, support, and honor our veterans by helping them acquire the tools they need to achieve their personal and professional goals through: easing the transition from military to civilian life by creating a culture of respect and campus immersion; offering financial guidance and counseling, including bridging any GI Tuition Assistance Bill funding gaps; providing layers of support and teamwork throughout the education process; and helping our student-veterans to reach their goals of finding sustainable jobs in their fields of study, preferably in Colorado.

Veterans Success Team Created by President Tony Frank in November; Mark Gill chairs committee Goals: Serve veterans in the best possible way Ensure best possible support to CSU veteran community Ensure a coordinated effort between all colleges and units One coherent and easily accessible website Create consistent and effective communication “One stop shopping” for people and ideas Members include Athletics, V.P. Student Affairs, External Relations, V.P. for University Advancement, V.P. for Enrollment and Access, Dean of Students, Adult Learner and Veteran Services, Veteran Educational Benefits Office, academic and program representatives, community representatives, ASCSU, and the Office of the President Subcommittees: Best Practices, Data, Communication Outreach, Legislative, Needs Assessment

Campus Collaborations Administration Faculty Admissions Student Affairs Enrollment and Access University Advancement College of Health and Human Services Athletics Career Center

Student-Veterans by the Numbers Spring 2015: 1,550 student-veterans; 1,250 students receive GI Bill benefits and another 300 self-identify as veterans, but are not using GI Bill The majority served more than three; fewer than 10 years in the military About 75 percent were/are enlisted personnel More than 80 percent are transfer students Often attend school year-round and come with credits from other institutions Based on optional Final Destination Survey and Report, 93 percent of graduating undergraduate student-veterans (2013-2014) had either accepted employment (75 percent) or planned to continue their educations (18 percent) upon graduation – 9 percent increase over previous year

Student-Veterans by the Numbers For CSU overall, 84 percent of undergraduate graduates had secured employment by graduation (60 percent) or were graduate-school bound (24 percent) in 2013-2014 – 3 percent higher than previous year CSU average six-year graduation rate for student-veterans: 65.7%; slightly lower than CSU’s overall graduation rate of 66.6% Average military-specific graduation rate, among schools able to provide information, was 56% for four-year schools (Dept. of Education) By Comparison (stats retrieved from Military Times Best for Vets 2015 list): Texas A&M – 79% University of South Florida – 63% University of Kentucky – 62% Colorado State University – 61.3% Texas Tech University – 59% South Dakota State – 56% The Ohio State University – 47% University of Colorado, Colorado Springs – 46% University of Nebraska, Omaha – 42%

The Future of Student-Veterans at CSU Our goal is to double the number of student-veterans to 3,000 by 2020. With impending drawdowns in the military and an aggressive push for partnerships and donor support for our facilities, programs, and financial assistance, we believe this projection is achievable. For Fall 2016, our early numbers show an increase in enrollment of 10% Increase community partnerships (local and regional internships, mentor programs, employer networking sessions) Increase campus interaction (identifying and reaching out to CSU employee veterans for support, mentoring, recognition; internship opportunities, part- time campus employment)

So why this symposium, this topic? Transition conversation in higher education has been primarily focused on the transition from military service to higher education. Nationally, the numbers in the Post 9/11 GI Bill show that student veterans are persisting and graduating at greater rates than traditional students. Higher education has figured out how to get student veterans “to and through‘’ Obligation to work on the next transition with student veterans – the career transition Obligation to work with employers in all sectors to better understand the value of this generation of veterans

Embrace the “new cohort” Learn to tell their story Opportunities for our student veterans Embrace the “new cohort” Learn to tell their story Engagement with the entire campus community Transition BACK from the higher education environment of “I” to that of a collaborator.

Opportunities for employers Better understand military and veteran culture Explore how to leverage veterans skills and experiences in the workplace Gain insight to what is real about and what is not about veterans mental health issues Opportunity to learn from the community

Student-Veterans by the Numbers Spring 2015: 1,550 student-veterans; 1,250 students receive GI Bill benefits and another 300 self-identify as veterans, but are not using GI Bill The majority served more than three; fewer than 10 years in the military About 75 percent were/are enlisted personnel More than 80 percent are transfer students Often attend school year-round and come with credits from other institutions Based on optional Final Destination Survey and Report, 93 percent of graduating undergraduate student-veterans (2013-2014) had either accepted employment (75 percent) or planned to continue their educations (18 percent) upon graduation – 9 percent increase over previous year