1. 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

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

4. 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

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

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

7. 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

8. 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’

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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)

13. 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)

14. 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.

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. MOC Art

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

22. Military Scholarships
Military Outreach Scholarship
State Farm Veterans Scholarship
Marcus Foundation Scholarships (10/semester)
VFW Post 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)

23. 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.

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

25. 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!

26. QUESTIONS?

27. Georgia State University
Mark Eister Phone:
Military
Outreach
Center