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Serving Those Who Serve
From Soldier to Student
Adam C. Martin
Veterans in Higher Education
• Over 2 million returning veterans from
Iraq and Afghanistan wars
• Post 9/11 GI Bill – 2008 / 2011
• 2007-08 military undergrads = 4%
• 43% attend public two-year schools
• Not since WWII has there been this
significant of an influx in the number of
veterans entering higher education
Veterans in Higher Education
Military Culture
• Intense socialization, collective identity
• Value honor and integrity
• Speak frankly and direct
• Commitment to excellence
• Fiercely loyal allegiance to the U.S.
• On Active Duty – 24 / 7 / 365
• Enculturation does not diminish easily
Transition From Soldier to Student
• 2009 ACE Report / Survey
• 723 Institutions (30% were two-year schools)
• 65% programs & services specifically for veterans
• Advising, Tutoring, Campus Events, Career Planning,
Employment Assistance, Transition Assistance, VA benefits
counseling, Financial Aid Counseling, Veteran lounge
• 45% offer training to staff regarding transitional
needs of veterans
• 56% have an office or department exclusively
dedicated to serving veterans
• 84% have policies regarding tuition refunds for
activations and deployments
Special Needs of Veteran Students
• Physical Disabilities
• Amputations
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Voc Rehab
• Emotional / Psychological disorders
• Depression, Anxiety
• PTSD
• nearly 400,000 vets compensated
• Expected that 30% of returning vets will meet
criteria for serious mental health disorder
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Re-experiencing the traumatic event
• Avoidance and numbing
• Increased anxiety / Emotional arousal
• Anger and irritability
• Guilt, shame, self-blame
• Feelings of mistrust and betrayal
• Depression
• Substance Abuse
Working with a PTSD Student
• Be patient and understanding
• Try to anticipate and prepare for PTSD
triggers
• Don’t take the symptoms personally
• Don’t pressure them into talking about
the traumatic event or experience
• Listen actively and communicate
positively
• Promote self-awareness and motivation
What can we do to help?
• Veteran population at least 3%
• Qualifies as a High Veteran Enrollment
• Establish specific points of contact
• Provide veteran specific training
• Give our veterans a voice
• 32% had veteran club or student organization
• “They expressed high regard for opportunities to
interact with fellow student veterans and have
access to campus staff who are trained and
sensitized to the unique issues veterans face.”
More Ways to Help
• Take a community-based approach
• Be familiar with local veteran services
• Mobile Vet Centers
• Build a strong web presence
• Welcome page with college resources and
points of contact
• Publish concise information on transfer
credit for military experience
• Provide Training for faculty and staff
Serving Those Who Serve
• Moral and ethical obligation to veterans
• Provide reasonable and necessary
accommodations to ease transition
• Promote academic success and
retention among veterans
• Improve their quality of life
• Give back
References
• American Council on Education
• Serving Those Who Serve: Making Your Institution Veteran
Friendly
• From Soldier to Student: Easing the Transition of Service
Members on Campus
• Military Service Members and Veterans in Higher Education
• Veterans in Higher Education: What Every
Advisor May Want to Know
• The Mentor, April 29, 2009, by Penn State's Division of
Undergraduate Studies
• Veteran PTSD and Higher Education:
Accommodations and Awareness
• Derek Neuts, January 12, 2011
Contact Information
• Adam C. Martin, MBA
South Florida Community College
(863) 784-7282
[email protected]