Successful Interactions with Student Veterans

Melissa Johnson-Tribout & Stephanie Sevedge

Veterans in Missouri 567,388 total Missouri military community population

9.3% of Missouri’s total population 1.651 billion paid in compensation and pension

benefits to veterans in Missouri 49,587 Veteran-owned businesses in Missouri 14,332 student veterans with VA education benefits

going into Missouri-based higher education institutions $55,026,605 in VA education benefits going to

Missouri-based higher education institutions

Student Veterans at MCC

2015

2016

Penn Valley = 83All Campuses = 456

Penn Valley = 105All Campuses = 439

Penn Valley Student Veteran Association Officers

Snapshot of Student Veterans

Penn Valley Student Veterans

27 = Associate of Arts13 = Paramedic12 = Professional Nursing9 = Paramedic5 = Radiologic Technology3 = Computer Information Systems3 = Computer Science2 = Health Information Technology2 = Industrial Technologies1 = Physical Therapist Assistant1 = Surgical Technology1 = Coding Specialist1 = Dental Assisting1 = Welding5 = Undecided

Navigating the college process Pre-enrollment:

Transitioning to civilian life Lack of knowledge of educational benefits, and

how to apply them Navigating Financial Aid Disclosing Veteran status on application Navigating multiple steps/staff to get to

enrollment Testing Choosing a degree program Veterans Upward Bound

Enrollment: Housing Lack of available information on applying benefits Concern over being stigmatized Enrollment center layout/ wait times Navigating multiple steps/staff to get to

enrollment Lack of communication Selecting classes

Starting College Expectations vs Reality Non-traditional student, many have young

families Navigating new disabilities (physical, cognitive,

emotional) Fear of being singled out or stigmatized Lack of campus connection Resistant to asking for help Frustrated by the behaviors of others Feeling inadequate

Getting to GraduationTime managementManaging school, work, family responsibilitiesAccess to resources/ removing the stigmaFinding a way to give back and connectPreparing to transition to a University setting

or careerAccess to employment services Concerns over losing the structure of college

How to Assist in Overcoming Obstacles Do not “sugar-coat” Only refer to trusted, tried and true resources Introduce to new professionals face-to-face (with a

handshake) Know how to access on-campus veteran resources

and SVA leadership on campus (access to additional resources)

Follow up and follow through

How to Provide a Veteran Friendly Experience Set up your space accordingly Maintain eye contact Handshake with eye contact at opening and closing

of conversations Acknowledge unavoidable distractions Provide a stable point of contact that does not

rotate in your office Follow up and follow through

Unique Needs of Student Veterans

Need class schedules to be flexible enough to allow for family, work, training & potential deployment(s).

Veterans may not be aware of the extent of any identified or unidentified disabilities.

They are learning and navigating a new system. A Veterans time is not “their own.” There are many

demands placed upon them and they typically detest wasting time.

Encourage communication and demonstrate flexibility.

Veteran Resources United Way 2-1-1

Hotline provides resources for everyday needs Available 24/7 FREE! Full-time veterans navigator Full-time healthcare advocate

Veterans Crisis Line Confidential Help for Veterans and Their Families Crisis intervention and suicide prevention Available 24/7 online (VeteransCrisisLine.net) Available 24/7 via phone (1-800-273-8255 press 1) Available 24/7 via text (838255)

Military.com Provides basic information on GI Bill and other benefits Useful for translating benefits into “laymen's terms”

Gibill.va.gov Resources for all things GIBill Provides direct links for application and forms Provides up-to-date information on changes and payment information for benefits Provides links to other VA related services

References Last, F. M. (Year, Month Date Published). Article title. Retrieved from URL

Cahn, D. (2011, March 23). Colleges struggle with turning veterans into graduates. Retrieved from http://pilotonline.com/news/military/colleges-struggle-with-turning-veterans-into-graduates/article_7e3d5093-2683-5406-abe5-dab0762ee157.html

Lighthall, A. (ND). Ten Things You Should Know About Today’s Student Veteran. Retrieved from http://www.nea.org/home/53407.htm

MCC AC Research and Assessment. (2016, May 24). Veterans (Military) Bi-weekly Report. Kansas City, MO: Metropolitan Community College.

Missouri Behavioral Health Alliance. (2016). Missouri’s Military Community; A look at Service Members, Veterans, & their Families. Jefferson City, Missouri: Missouri Behavioral Health Alliance.

O’Connor, P. (2011, November 20). Vets returning to college face unique challenges. Retrieved from http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/vets-returning-to-college-face-unique-challenges/article_ae59e54c-6fd7-5238-a22a-d4112bd663cc.html

Student Veterans of America. (2016). Research Brief SVA Spotlight: Commonalities and Intersections within the Student Veteran Population. Washington, DC: Student Veterans of America.