Supporting Transitioning and Returning Service Members Higher Education Staff Learning about Veterans Presented by Dr. Hamaria Crockett, Cedar Valley Community College & Eric Wheeler, Monroe Community College

Context: Faculty, Administrators and Staff Serving Veterans in Higher Education

The Challenges Veterans (Service Members) may: Feel uncomfortable with the lack of structure and goals compared to military life Miss the adrenaline of physical and life-challenging situations Become overwhelmed with the college process Worry about finances/Trying to do too much Push to be perfect in work and other areas of your life Become annoyed with others who seem more easy-going or less detail-oriented than you Feel isolated and alone, as if no one understands you They maybe different now They may NOT want to be associated with the military

The loss of friendship, purpose, identity, structure, and income is enough to push most people to their limits. Throw in an unfamiliar social system…no clear chair of command… and students and faculty who can’t even imagine the student veterans’ experience, and you have a deeply alienating environment for many of them. --Alison Lighthall

It is important for faculty, administration, and staff members understand the challenges that a Service Member/Veteran may face during transition from the military to college.

SUPPORT SERVICES AT MCC Partnerships with Veteran Outreach Center and other external organizations Military Mentoring Program (MMP) Enriching Advisement Workshop Courageous Children’s Summer Camp Supporting Transitioning and Returning Service members (STARS) ***Veteran Services Office***

STARS Develop and implement a comprehensive program of professional development training for Faculty and Staff that integrates military culture in a systematic approach to Student Success. Uphold a standard that all faculty and staff will have a basic understanding of this student population.

BEST PRACTICES

Research has found that when college faculty and staff understand a few core principles about student veterans, the experience is much more positive for everybody, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Program Overview Teaching Faculty Military Culture Transition to Civilian and Academic Culture Veterans in the Classroom Veteran Health Care Supporting Development Needs of Veterans Administration and Staff Military Culture Transition to Civilian and Academic Culture Understanding Veteran Benefits Veterans Health Care Supporting Development (Psychological) Needs of Veterans Military Mentor Connecting with someone at the community college that would be deemed the Military Mentor. Goals of the Military Mentor Military Mentor Qualifications Military Mentor Responsibilities

Your School’s Current Polices Hurdles of enrollment/admissions Disability accommodations Converting Military Experience into College Credit (i.e. College Credit for Heroes) Integrating student veterans to campus culture Design specific courses for student veterans Older Veterans (Plus 50) Preparing faculty to teach student veterans Student veteran centers Needs of student veteran families Career Exploration/Advising and Helping Veterans Select a Program of Study

Leadership is solving problems. The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help or concluded you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership. --General Colin Powell

Thank you! Q&A! Dr. Hamaria Crockett Dallas County Community College Eric Wheeler Monroe Community College