1. Military-Connected Students
SUNY’s
Military-Connected Students
Diana Pasterchick
Coordinator Veteran and Military Affairs

2. My background…

3. Veteran and Military Affairs
National Statistics
In 2017, 20.4 million men and women were veterans, 8% of the population
73% of military student are male; 27% are female.
62% of military students are first generation students compared to 43% of non-military students
Only 15% are traditionally aged college students (18-23). Most are between the ages of 24 and 40.
Many military students have families.
47% have children.
47.3% are married. 
References:

4. Veteran and Military Affairs
National Statistics
Over 1 million people used the Post 9/11 GI Bill during the four
years after its inception in 2009 (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs).
The number of student veterans using these education benefits
is expected to continue rising, given that the population of post
-9/11 veterans is estimated to increase to more than
five million by 2020 (U.S. GAC).
73% reported that the military service experience promoted
their interest in education
68% of service members stated that the military prepared them
for higher education
Motivations to Pursue Higher Education
Career or job opportunities (86%)
Self-improvement and personal growth (71%)
Potential for improving economic status (69%)
(Institute for Veterans and Military Families)
References:

5. Veteran and Military Affairs
SUNY Students at a Glance
Active duty
Veterans ,185
National Guard/Reserve
Dependent 1,474
TOTAL 9,058
Most popular Degree Programs
Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services
Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences
Security And Protective Services
Computer And Information Sciences And Support Services
Reference: SUNY Institutional Research

6. Veteran and Military Affairs
Online sources indicated that New York State has either the 5th or 6th largest population of veterans, yet only 2% of SUNY’s entire population is military-connected.
Where are military-students attending college and why aren’t they choosing a SUNY campus?

7. Veteran and Military Affairs
According to this map the veteran population live mainly in the New York City area, Albany and along the 90 W corridor.
Reference:

8. Map from the New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs
Considering how many NYS military installations there are, there is untapped opportunity for enrollment of active duty, Guardsman and Reservists
Map from the New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs

9. Veteran and Military Affairs
Factors to Consider
Service Branches
Each service has a different mission, training, history…
Army and Marines “Boots to ground”
Navy and Air Force systems-centric
Length of Military Service
Consider the spectrum of experience, from retired
military member to former junior enlisted…
You will notice a obvious difference in conversation style, perspective, and life experience. In addition, the more senior a veteran was while in
the military, the more leadership experience and strategic perspectives
emerge from the veteran.

10. Factors to Consider
Military Education
Education within the Armed Forces is rigorous and extreme and has
undergone meticulous evaluation and revision.
Military students return to college with internal learning routines that
may not serve them well as they transition into civilian higher education.
As a result, these students may be:
Hesitant to advocate for themselves
Question authority
Much like some international learners, military connected students may require guidance on when it’s appropriate to express their concerns and how to raise those concerns in a way to meet their educational goals.

11. Veteran and Military Affairs
Factors to Consider
Transitioning
When a military member transitions out of military
service, there may be a limited degree of support to help them move on with their civilian lives.
Students are part of a culture that is steeped in structure, routine and a clear chain of command. Many college campuses however, function as highly separated organizations that in many cases welcome ambiguity.
The challenge:
Translating the skills and attitudes into academic context
Guiding on how to leverage skills
Having a well defined Go-To person who can give students good
information is key.

12. Veteran and Military Affairs
Factors to Consider
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Students with either of theses conditions might not struggle on
campus, but some of the symptoms of the conditions can make it
difficult to integrate academically and socially into the campus
community.
To increase their chances of academic success, these students
may require:
Strong institutional academic, social and financial support
On-campus counseling centers or a nearby VA medical center.

13. Barriers
The vast majority of learning in the military is difficult to measure in credit hours.
Under a military competency based education model, students progress in their program of study not by accumulating credit hours, but by demonstrating their skills and knowledge of particular subject matter competencies through a set of assessments.
Service members leave the military with a considerable amount of assessed and validated knowledge, skills, and competencies for which they more often than not receive little credit.
Advisement
Cultural - Staff and faculty training, training that may focus to much on mental issues, stereotypes

14. Veteran and Military Affairs
Best Practices
There is no “One size fits all”
Dedicated Military Affairs Office/One-stop Resource Centers
Nationally, it is the cornerstone to student success
Survey Results
Ensures comprehensive support
Less likely to self-isolate
More likely to find a connection to school
Dedicated Orientation Programs
Learning How to Learn
Faculty and Staff Training Programs
“The quality of contact between faculty and student veterans may be the most important nonfinancial key to ensuring the persistence of student veterans.” (Texas A&M Model)

15. Best Practices Peer Programs
Peer programs may help military students with the transition
into college by connecting them with other military students who
can offer information, resources, and a community of people who have had similar experiences
Credit Transfer
Evaluating a military transcript is complex and time consuming and requires a true understanding of how these credits align with a campus’s curriculum
ACE - ACE's Military Guide presents credit recommendations and detailed summaries for formal courses and occupations offered by all branches of the military. 
Midwestern Higher Education Compact - States exchange information and share best practices in the areas of articulation of credit, certification and licensure, communication, and data and technology.
The American Council on Education (ACE) has developed an extensive guide on how to assess military credit and detailed summaries for formal courses and occupations offered by all branches of the military. 
Why isn’t SUNY doing a better job at assessing our military-connected students’ experience and military transcripts?
MHEC convenes the 13 states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin for the purpose of advancing best practices that are designed to ease the transition of veterans and their families from military life to college campuses. Emphasis is given to translating competencies acquired through military training and experiences into milestones toward completing a college degree or earning a certificate or license.
Referenced:

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Questions?
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Thank you!