Upload
others
View
1
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
2014‐15VeteransEnrollmentReportPreparedbytheOfficeofAcademicandStudentAffairsPursuanttoAssemblyBill76(Chapter13,StatutesofNevada2015)November2015
UniversityofNevada,LasVegasUniversityofNevada,RenoNevadaStateCollege
CollegeofSouthernNevadaGreatBasinCollege
TruckeeMeadowsCommunityCollegeWesternNevadaCollegeDesertResearchInstitute
BoardofRegents
Mr.RickTrachok,ChairmanMr.MichaelB.Wixom,Vice‐Chairman
Dr.AndreaAnderson Mr.TrevorHayesMr.CedricCrear Mr.JamesDeanLeavitt
Mr.RobertDavidson Mr.SamLiebermanDr.MarkDoubravaDr.JasonGeddes
Mr.KevinC.MelcherMr.KevinJ.Page
Ms.AllisonStephens
Mr.DeanJ.GouldChiefofStaff&SpecialCounseltotheBoard
OfficersoftheNevadaSystemofHigherEducation
Mr.DanielJ.Klaich,Chancellor
Dr.LenJessup,PresidentUniversityofNevada,LasVegas
Dr.MarcJohnson,PresidentUniversityofNevada,Reno
Mr.BartPatterson,President
NevadaStateCollegeDr.MichaelRichards,PresidentCollegeofSouthernNevada
Dr.MarkCurtis,President
GreatBasinCollegeDr.MariaSheehan,President
TruckeeMeadowsCommunityCollege
Mr.ChesterBurton,PresidentWesternNevadaCollege
Dr.StephenWells,PresidentDesertResearchInstitute
TableofContents
BackgroundandPurpose......................................................................................................................................1
StudentVeteransData.............................................................................................................................................2
AreasofStudy............................................................................................................................................................3
PolicyChanges...........................................................................................................................................................4
InstitutionalEfforts.................................................................................................................................................6
BackgroundandPurposeTheNevadaSystemofHigherEducationisdedicatedtosupportingstudentveteransandtheirfamiliesinpursuingtheireducationalgoals.StudentveteransaregrowinginnumbernotonlyinNevada,butacrossthenation.Thisparticularstudentpopulationoftenfacesuniquechallengesinassimilatingbackintocivilianlife.ItisthegoalofNSHEanditsinstitutionstoprovidethenecessaryservicestosupportstudentveterans,inordertoensuretheirsuccessinachievingtheireducationalgoals.ThepurposeofthisreportistomeetthereportingrequirementsofAssemblyBill76(Chapter13,StatutesofNevada2015).ThismeasurerequirestheBoardofRegentstosubmitanannualreporttotheLegislature,ortotheLegislativeCommitteeonEducationwhentheLegislatureisnotinregularsession,whichincludes:(1)thenumberofstudentswhoareveteransorwhoarereceivingpaymentsorbenefitsfromtheUnitedStatesDepartmentofVeteransAffairs;(2)informationabouthowpolicychangesmayhaveaffectedthenumberofstudentswhoareveteransenrolledintheNevadaSystemofHigherEducation;(3)thenumberofstudentswhoareveteranswhograduatedduringtheimmediatelyprecedingacademicyear;and(4)theeffortsundertakenbyeachinstitutionwithintheSystemtoretainandgraduatestudentswhoareveterans.NSHEinstitutionshaveundertakenasignificanttechnicalimplementationtoimprovethecollectionofveteranenrollmentdata.However,theimplementationwasnotcompleteforthe2015VeteransReportwhichisbasedon2014‐15data.Currentlyfourinstitutions(UNR,UNLV,NSC,andTMCC)makeitpossibleforveteranstoself‐identifyontheirapplicationforadmission.Theotherthreeinstitutions(CSN,GBC,andWNC)areintheprocessofhavingitaddedtotheirapplication.Sincetheapplicationonlycollectsdataonnewstudents,theinstitutionsarealsousingvarioussurveyinstrumentstoidentifycurrentlyenrolledveterans.Fullimplementationwillbecompleteintimefortheveteranstoself‐identifyduringtheapplicationprocessfortheFall2016semester.Duetotheimplementationscheduleasitrelatestothedeadlineforthisreport,thedatainthisreportisincompleteandshouldnotbeusedtomakepolicydecisionsortodrawanyconclusionsregardingtheperformanceofstudentveteransorthesuccessofrecentlyapprovedpolicychangesimpactingsuchstudents.However,overtime,theaccuracyandreliabilityofthisdatawillimprove,particularlywhentheadditionaleffortstoensurethecollectionofdataforallstudentveteransisputintoplace.
1
StudentVeteransDataNumberofIdentifiedStudentVeterans:6,098Foracademicyear2014‐15,6,098studentveteranswereidentifiedacrossthesevenNSHEteachinginstitutions.Thisfigureisunduplicatedandonlycapturesstudentswhoseveterans’benefitswerecertifiedbyanNSHEinstitution,orwhoself‐identifiedonanadmissionsapplicationorsurveyinstrument.DuetothelimitationsintheNSHEdataatthistime,itdoesnotincludeallstudentveteransthatareattendinganNSHEinstitution.NumberofStudentVeteransreceivingpaymentsfromtheU.S.DepartmentofVeteransAffairs:2,937Foracademicyear2014‐15,2,937studentveteranswerecertifiedbyanNSHEinstitutionforthepurposeofreceivingeducationalbenefits.ThisfigureisunduplicatedandonlyincludesstudentswhohavebeencertifiedbyanNSHEinstitutiontoreceivebenefitsfromtheU.S.DepartmentofVeteransAffairs.PercentofStudentVeteransbyGender:67.2%Male,32.8%FemaleOfthe6,098studentveteransidentifiedasenrolledatanNSHEinstitutioninAcademicYear2014‐15,67.2percentwereidentifiedasmaleand32.8percentfemale.Genderdataisnotavailableforallidentifiedstudentveterans.AverageAgeofEnrolledStudentVeterans:30yearsoldFortheidentifiedstudentveteransenrolledinthe2014‐15academicyear,theaverageageofthoseidentifiedstudentswas30yearsoldasofNovember2015.FalltoSpringRetention:79.8%OftheidentifiedstudentveteransthatwereenrolledinFall2014,79.8percentpersistedandenrolledintheSpring2015term.NumberofStudentVeteransWhoGraduated:586Duringacademicyear2014‐15(7/1/2014‐6/30/2015),586studentveteransreceivedadegreeorcertificate.Thisnumberwouldexcludeanyveteranwhodidnotreceivebenefitsand/orself‐identifyasaveterantotheinstitution.
2
AreasofStudyAssemblyBill76requiresthatNSHEreport“themostcommonareasofstudyamongthestudentswhoareveterans.”ThisdataisreportedbytheClassificationofInstructionalPrograms(CIP)categoryforstudentveteransenrolledduringthe2014‐15academicyear.TheCIPcodesusedinthisreportarebasedonataxonomicschemethatsupportstheaccuratetrackingandreportingoffieldsofstudyandprogramcompletionsactivity.TheCIPschemewasdevelopedandismaintainedbytheU.S.DepartmentofEducation,NationalCenterforEducationStatistics.TheCIPcodeistheacceptedstandardforthefederalgovernmentoninstructionalprogramclassificationsinhighereducationandisusedinavarietyofeducationrelatedsurveysanddatabaseswithinNSHEandacrossthecountry.Thetop15CIPcategorieswiththehighestnumberofstudentveteransenrolledarenotedinthefollowingtable.
ClassificationofInstructionalProgramCategory #ofStudents
52‐Business,Management,Marketing,andRelatedSupportServices 88851‐HealthProfessionsandRelatedPrograms 75624‐LiberalArtsandSciences,GeneralStudies,andHumanities 67243‐HomelandSecurity,LawEnforcement,FirefightingandRelatedProtectiveServices 362
14‐Engineering 36141‐ScienceTechnologies/Technicians 32142‐Psychology 27545‐SocialSciences 27211‐ComputerandInformationSciencesandSupportServices 26126‐BiologicalandBiomedicalSciences 22513‐Education 21850‐VisualandPerformingArts 20115‐EngineeringTechnologiesandEngineeringRelatedFields 15247‐MechanicandRepairTechnologies/Technicians 11840‐PhysicalSciences 102
3
PolicyChangesAssemblyBill76requiresreportingofanyinformationnecessarytodeterminetheimpactofpolicychangesonthenumberofstudentveteranswhoareenrolledinNSHE.Twosignificantpolicychangeshaverecentlytakeneffectthatmeritmeasuringtheimpact:1.)thefederalVeterans’Access,ChoiceandAccountabilityActof2014,and2.)AssemblyBill260enactedduringthe2013SessionoftheNevadaStateLegislature.Bothestablishcriteriaunderwhichaveteranmaybedeemedaresidentfortuitionpurposes,thereforeavoidinghighernon‐residenttuitionchargesundercertaincircumstances. TheChoiceActUnderSection702oftheVeterans’Access,Choice,andAccountabilityActof2014(H.R.3230,“ChoiceAct”),publicinstitutionsofhighereducationthatdonotofferin‐statetuitionratestocertainveteranswilllosefederalveteraneducationalassistancedollarsunderthePost‐9/11GIBill(Chapter33ofTitle38oftheUnitedStatesCode,whichincludestheFryScholarship)andMontgomeryGIBill‐ActiveDuty(Chapter30ofTitle38oftheUnitedStatesCode).Specifically,institutionsmustofferin‐statetuitionratestoveteranswhoarelivinginthestateinwhichtheinstitutionislocated;servedintheactivemilitary,navalorairservice;arepursuingacourseofeducationwithfederaleducationbenefits;andenrollintheinstitutionwithinthreeyearsaftertheirdischargefromservice.In‐statetuitionmustalsobeofferedtocertainfamilymembersoftheveteranoramemberofthearmedforceswhodiedinthelineofdutywhileonactivedutyifthatfamilymemberenrollswithinthreeyearsaftertheveteran’sdischargeortheservicemember’sdeathandisusingveteranseducationbenefits.ToensureNSHEinstitutionscomplywiththisnewfederallawanddonotriskthelossoffederalveteraneducationalassistancebyitsstudents,theBoardofRegentsadoptedprovisionsnecessarytocomplywiththeActinMarch2015(BoardofRegents’Handbook,Title4,Chapter15,Section3.12).TheadoptedpolicycomplieswithSection702ofthe“ChoiceAct”byprovidinganexemptionfromtuitionchargesforacoveredindividualwhoenrollswithinthespecifiedthree‐yeartimeframe.Coveredindividualsmustonlystarttheirprogramwithinthethreeyearsandthentheywillbecoveredfortermsafterthe3yearmark.Inaddition,theBoardchosetoextendtherequirementsoftheChoiceActinNevadatoalsoincludewithinthenon‐residenttuitionexemptionveteransanddependentbeneficiarieswhoqualifyundertheSurvivors’andDependents’EducationalAssistance(DEA)Program(SeeChapter35ofTitle38oftheUnitedStatesCode).TheDEAProgramprovideseducationandtrainingopportunitiestoeligibledependentsofveteranswhoarepermanentlyandtotallydisabledduetoaservice‐relatedconditionorofveteranswhodiedwhileonactivedutyorasaresultofaservice‐relatedcondition.Impact:Academicyear2015‐16willbethefirstyearforwhichdataisavailableconcerningthenumberofveteranstochoosetoassimilatetocivilianliveinNevadaaftertheenactmentoftheChoiceActandattendanNSHEinstitution.Thatdatawillbecapturedinfuturereports.
4
AssemblyBill260(Chapter505,StatutesofNevada2013)NevadaRevisedStatutes(NRS)396.540providesthattheBoardofRegentsmayfixthetuitionchargesforstudentsatNSHEcampuses,butmustnotchargetuitiontocertainstudents,includingforexample,studentswhoareresidentsofNevada.ExistingBoardpolicyunderTitle4,Chapter15,Section3(Tuition)andSection4(ResidentStudents)oftheHandbookrecognizestheprovisionscontainedinNRS396.540.The2013LegislaturepassedAssemblyBill260(Chapter505,StatutesofNevada2013),whichadded“veteransoftheArmedForcesoftheUnitedStateswhowerehonorablydischargedwithinthe2yearsimmediatelyprecedingthedateofmatriculationoftheveteranatauniversity,statecollegeorcommunitycollegewithintheSystem”tothelistofstudentsforwhomtheBoardmustnotchargetuitionunderNRS396.540.InJune2013,theBoardofRegentsapprovedapolicyrevisionunderTitle4,Chapter15,Section3toreflectthisaddition.Subsequently,the2015LegislaturepassedAssemblyBill76(Chapter13,StatutesofNevada2015)andamendedthissectionofStatelawtoincreasethetimeframefromtwoyearstofiveyears.Impact:InFall2013,50veteransavailedthemselvesoftheprovisionsofTitle4,Chapter16,Section3,andweredeemedresidentsfortuitionspurposes.InFall2014,anadditional117veteransenrolledandweredeemedresidentsunderthepolicy.BetweenFall2013,whentheprovisionwasinitiallyputintoplace,andFall2014,NSHEsawa134percentincreaseinthenumberofstudentswhofellunderthepolicy.Itisexpectedthatwiththeexpansionoftheprovisionfromtwoyearstofiveyears,thenumberofveteransseekingresidencystatusunderthisprovisionwillcontinuetogrow.
5
InstitutionalEffortsAssemblyBill76alsorequiresasummaryofeffortsofeachNSHEinstitutiontoretainandgraduatestudentveteransthroughretentionandotherrelatedprograms.Thefollowingsummaries,providedbytheinstitutionsandcompiledhere,detailthoseretentionandrelatedstudentsuccesseffortsoneachcampus.
UNLV
UNLVVeteranPrograms:Thefollowingprogramsarenationallyrecognizedasthemodelforwelcoming,admitting,mentoringandprovidingresourcestostudentveteranstohelpincreaseretentionandgraduation.
Nevadain‐statetuitionisgrantedtoall“honorably”dischargedveteranswithinfiveyearsofdischarge.
Nevadain‐statetuitionisgrantedtoallmilitarydependentsusingGIBill®withinthreeyearsofsponsor’sdischarge.
PriorityregistrationisprovidedtoallveteranstoexpeditepaymentoftheChapter33GIBill®housingallowance.
UNLVisrankedasaTop15%“Veteran‐Friendly”University(GIJOBS.COM2011,2012,2013,2014,2015).
UNLVisoneof91campusestohavetheVAVetSuccessprogramwithaVABenefitsCounseloroncampus.
UNLVsponsorsanationallyrecognizedStudentVeteransOrganizationandaRebelWomenVeteransgroup.
UNLVhosts“SafeTalk”suicidepreventiontrainingandan“Ask‐a‐Lawyer”legalaidworkshopeachsemester.
UNLVCollegeofEducationandClarkCountySchoolDistrictarepartnersforthe“TroopstoTeachers”programatUNLV,whichprovidesanacceleratedlicensingprogramtoanyveteranwithabachelor’sdegree.
RecentlyMilitaryTIMESmagazinerankedUNLV/CSNas49ofthetop50collegesnationwideprovidingexceptionalservicetoveterans.
CampusCelebrations:
The“Walk/RuntoRemember”2014celebrationconsistedofthefollowing:(a)arun/walkalonga
flag‐decoratedtwo‐milecourse,(b)amemorialwreathceremonywithArmyandAirForceROTCcombinedcolorguard,(c)aspecialpresentationtotheparentsofRichardPerezinhonoroftheirson,whowaskilledinIraqin2003,(d)aCAEO‐fundedfieldtriptobringtheGibsonMiddleSchoolDrumLinetoUNLVtoperform,(e)VAVetSuccesssupportservicestable,(e)anSVAtableforstudents,facultyandstafftowriteveteranthank‐youcards,and(f)atablewherefaculty,staffandstudentscoulddonatetotheUNLVYellowRibbonFund.(Thiseventraisedmorethan$300forthefund.)
6
TheUNLVWindOrchestraconductedaspecialconcertforAmericanHeroesinhonorofourmorethan1,400studentveterans,andaspecialceremonyoftheFrenchGovernmentpresentingtheFrenchLegionofHonortothreeD‐DayveteransfromLasVegas.Theconcertwasattendedbymorethan1,600guests,whocontributedalmost$4,000totheUNLVFoundation’sYellowRibbonProgram.
The2ndand3rdRebelVetGraduationReception:OnDecember16,2014,andMay14,2015,the
OfficeofVeteranServicesandtheUNLVStudentVeteransOrganization,withinvaluablevolunteersupportfromtheStudentVeterans&MilitaryFamilySupportCommittee,hostedtwosemiannualRebelVetGraduationReceptions.Duringtheceremonieswerecognizedtheserviceandacademicachievementofmorethan209graduatingveteransandROTCgraduates.Theceremonyincludedthefollowing:(a)aslidepresentationofthegraduatessettomusic,(b)aUNLVwelcomebyProvostJohnWhiteandAVPMikeSauer,(c)apresentationofguestsbyWynnResortsDirectorofSecuritySamanthaBieber(UNLVGraduate)andUnderSheriffKevinMcMahill,bothArmyveterans,(d)acelebrationcakecutwithanArmysaber,and(e)therecognitionofgraduates.WepresentedeachgraduatewithaLasVegasRotary‐fundedRebelVetcoinandcord,apacketwithcertificatesofrecognitionbyeachoftheNevadadelegation,andadonatedGarthBrooksGreatestHitsCD.Wealsoconductedadrawingofcommunityprizesthatincludedshowtickets,dinnercouponsandweekendgetawaypackages.WewillcontinuetohostRebelVetGraduationReceptionsandareworkingtocoordinateadditionalrecognition,includingthefollowing:(a)coordinatingwiththegraduationcommitteetohavetheUNLVpresidentaskallofthegraduatingstudentveteranstoriseandberecognized,and(b)publishingthegraduationlistofstudentveterans,militaryfamilymembers,andArmyandAirForceROTCgraduatesinafull‐pagecelebrationadintheLasVegasReview‐Journalnewspapertwiceayearforthespringandfallgraduations.
PeerAdvisingVeteranEducation(PAVE):UNLVisoneofafewuniversitiesinthecountrythatparticipatesintheUniversityofMichiganPAVE(PeerAdvisorVeteranEducation)program.PAVEisapeersupportprogramthatconnectsincomingstudentveteranswithstudentveteransalreadyoncampusinordertohelpthemnavigatecollegelife,identifychallengestheyarefacing,referthemtotheappropriateresourceonoroffcampus,andprovideongoingsupporttotheiracademicandpersonalventures.ContacttheOfficeofVeteranServicestolearnmoreabouthowtogetinvolved.
UNR
ThefollowingtableincludesinformationonthetypesofsupportprogramsthattheUNRVeteransServicesOfficehasinplaceforstudentveterans:
Program TypeofRetentionEffort Description
Veterans’Orientation
Initialretention ProvidedthroughVeteranServicesoffice.AdministeredthroughstaffandVet2Vetrepresentatives.Initialbriefofservicesoffered,staffavailable,andeventstoengagein.Conceptissuccessstrategiesanddevelopingimmediatenetworkwithourservices.
7
ProgramTypeofRetention
Effort Description
Veteran1‐1Intake
Initialretention/Networkbuilding
AllincomingstudentsmeetoneononewithourIntakeCoordinator.Benefitsaresetup,degreeplansareconfirmed,basicneedsassessed,tailoredservicesoffered.
Vet2VetProgram Long‐termretention/PeerSupport/NetworkBuilding
Eachincomingstudent(FirstyearandTransfer)isassignedaVet2Vetrepresentative.TheVet2Vetrephasbeentrainedthroughourofficetofollowthestudentforthefirst12‐18months.Regularcommunicationisestablished.Ongoingneedsassessmentforacademicandintegrationsuccessandtailedservicesoffered.WorkshopsforsuccessgivenbyVet2Vetreps.
V.I.T.A.L.Grant On‐goingretention/CommunityInvolvement
VAgrantthatestablishesaconnectiontohealthcareandmentalhealthservices.VITALemployeesalsosupportUNRVetServices’onandoff‐campusprogramming.
ThreeStudentVeteranGroups
On‐going/campusengagement/CommunityInvolvement
Allthreeveteranstudentgroups’missionsalignwithUNRVeteranServicesofficetosupportcampusintegrationandretentionefforts.AllthreegrouppresidentsreporttotheDirectorofVeteranServicestocoordinateprogramming.
ProgressReports IntenseOne‐on‐One
Veteransthathavedroppedbelow2.3and/orshowapatternofdroppingGPAarecalledintoofficeforone‐on‐oneassessmentandcustomizedhelporreferral.
WarningTerm IntenseOne‐on‐One
Veteranswhohavedroppedto2.0orbelowareadvisedonbenefitand/orfinancialaidimpact.Customizedassessmentandreferralgiven.
AcademicCounseling
IntenseOne‐on‐One
Veteranswhoarenotfollowingacademicplansareadvisedandplanconfirmedtostayontrack.
Class/InstructorMitigation
IntenseOne‐on‐One
Veteranswhoarehavingintegrationissueswithaparticularclassorinstructorarecounseledonhowtoresolve.VeteranServicescanassistinthemitigationifnecessary.
8
ProgramTypeofRetention
Effort Description
VetSMART On‐goingCampus‐wide
VeteranServicesandVet2VetRepsdeliverprofessionaldevelopmenttrainingandawarenesstofacultyandstaff.Thisbuildsanetworkofidentifiablepersonneloncampusaveterancanseekassistancefrom.
VetLINC On‐goingCareerPreparation
Anintensethreeweekworkshopseriespreparesjuniorandseniorsformarketingthemselvesintheciviliansectorforemployment.Thisprogramisinpartnershipwithcommunityleaderswillingtomentortheprocess.
NSC
NevadaStateCollegeprovidescriticalacademicandfinancialsupporttoveteranstudents,andthescopeofthisassistancecontinuestoexpandwiththegrowthofourveteranpopulation.SupportPersonnelPromotingthesuccessofveteransbeginswithpersonnel,andNSCnowenliststhefollowingsupportstaff1tohelpveteransmeettheirfinancial,academic,andcareergoals:
VASpecialist–TheVASpecialistintheOfficeofFinancialAidhelpsveteransnavigateoftencomplicatedfinancialaidprocessesandobstacleswiththeprovisionofresourcesandone‐on‐onecounselingAcademicAdvisor–AdedicatedacademicadvisorinournewAdvisingCenterprovidesrobustsupporttoveteranswithdegreeplanningandtheresolutionofacademicchallenges.Thissupportisprovidedtostudentsthroughmultiplemodalities,fromemailtoin‐personconsultations,tohelpmeetthevariedneedsofourdiversepopulation.CareerServicesSpecialist‐ThesupportforveteransextendstoournewCareerCenter,whichnowassistsveteransinthepursuitofinternshipsandcareeropportunitieswithresourcessuchasUSAJOBSandintensiveguidanceinthedevelopmentofrelevantskills(e.g.,resumewriting,interviewing,andcareerplanning).
FinancialAssistanceWealsotrytoensurethatveteranstudentscapablyovercomethemanyfinancialobstaclestheyarelikelytoface.ThisisachievedpartlythroughtheVAspecialistdescribedabove,butitalsomanifeststhrough
1 Given the small size of our veteran population (N = 144 in fall 2015), these support personnel also provide assistance to other students at NSC.
9
specialproceduresthatareonlyappliedtoveterans.NSCupholdsrigoroustuitionandfeestandardsthatrequirestudentstomakepaymentsbyspecifieddates,lesttheygetremovedfromtheircourses.However,becauseoftheuniquewayinwhichveteransreceivefunding,ourbursar’sofficeprotectsthesestudentsfrombeingremovedfromtheircoursesuntiltheyreceivetheirfinancialsupportfromthegovernment.Tofurtherenhancethefinancialwell‐beingofveteranstudents,NSChasestablishedarelationshipwithNevadaPartners,whichprovidedmonetarysupporttoveteransinneed.ExternalPartnersInoureffortstoexpandthesupportofveteranstudents,NSChasforgedpartnershipswithanumberofexternalbusinessesandorganizations.ThesepartnersincludeVegasPBS,GoodwillofSouthernNevada,theNationalGuard,theHendersonVetCenter,andDressforSuccess.RecruitmentAtpresent,NSCdoesnotconductrecruitmenteffortsthatareexclusivelydesignedforveterans.However,ourrecruitersappriseprospectiveveteranstudentsoftheaforementionedsupportpersonnelandstructurestoencouragethemtoapplytoNSC.
CSN
TheCollegeofSouthernNevadaisfullycommittedtoprovidingourstudentveteranpopulationwithanexceptionaleducationexperiencebyprovidingprogramsandservicesthataredesignedmaximizestudentsuccess.TheVeteransEducationandTransitionServices(VETS)Centeristhetipofspearforinstitutionaleffortstoassiststudentveteransinachievingtheirpersonal,professional,andacademicgoals.Inourefforttoincreaseretentionandpersistenceratesforourstudentveterans,theVETSCenterhaspartneredwiththeCSNAdvisingandCoachingServicesDepartmenttohelpallCSNstudentveterans,regardlessofmajorornumberofearnedcredits,inbuildingthenecessaryskillstosucceedincollege.Servicesincludeassessingpersonalstrengthsandlimitations,learningacademicsuccessstrategies,exploringcareersconducivetoappropriatemajorselection,accessingcampusandcommunityresources,andconnectingtocampuslife.Returning,continuing,andtransferstudentswithdeclaredmajorsseekacademicadvisementfromAcademicSchoolsCounselorsintheirselectedmajor/department.TheAcademicCounselorprovidesstudentveteranswithanAcademicSuccessPlandesignedtogivethemapathwaytowardsgraduation.Theelectronicstudentreferralsystem,alsoknownastheFacultyE‐AlertSystem,allowsCSN’sinstructionalstafftobecomeproactiveandcollaboratewithStudentAffairsinofferingstrugglingstudentsassistancetopasstheirclasses.TheE‐AlertsystemadministeredbyAdvisingandAcademicCoachingServices,contactsthestudentveteransandproposesworkingonstrategiesandinterventionsthatcanhelpinsuccessfulcoursecompletion.TheVETSCenteradministersprogramsunderRound4fundingoftheTechnicalAdjustmentAssistanceCommunityCollegeandCareerTraining(TAACCCT)GrantProgram.Theprogramhasallowedustoexpandandimproveourabilitytodelivereducationandcareertrainingprogramsthatcanbecompletedintwoyearsorless,andprepareprogramparticipantsforemploymentinhigh‐wage,high‐skilloccupations.Business,ComputerandInformationTechnology(CIT),MilitaryMedictoLicensedPractical
10
Nursing,andCriminalJusticeprogramsweretheselectedprograms.TheNevadaDepartmentofEmployment,Training,andRehabilitation(DETR)isagrantpartnerandwillassistintheimplementationoftheBurningGlassLaborInsightprogramthatprovidesreal‐timelabormarketinformationtohelpguidedecisionmaking.Three(3)VeteransSuccessSpecialistswillassistprogramparticipantsindevelopinganAcademicSuccessPlanandrelatedemploymentreadinessactivities.AnITSuccessCoordinatorwillhavetheprimaryresponsibilityofactingaLiaisonbetweenourCITprogramparticipantsandCITindustryemployers.ATranscriptSpecialistwillworkwithacademicdepartmentsandtheOfficeoftheRegistrartoexplorewaystoawardveteransmoreacademiccreditfortheirmilitarytrainingandexperience.
GBC
AtGreatBasinCollege,weofferawidevarietyofservicestoourStudentVeterans.WehaveestablishedaverywelcomingandsupportingenvironmentthatkeepsthemengagedwithallaspectsoftheGBCcampus.AttheVeteransResourceCenter(VRC)weprovideanencouragingenvironmentbyacknowledging,honoring,andaddressingallofourVeteran’sneeds,allwhilehelpingthemattaintheireducationalgoals.TheVRC’smissionisaswidespreadastheruralGBCservicearea.OurmaingoalistoprovideMilitaryVeteransandtheirdependentswiththeresources,support,andadvocacyneededtosucceedinhighereducation.OurstaffandvolunteersattheVRChavedonatedtheirtimetomentorourStudentVeteransthroughouttheupanddownperiodsoftheirsemesters.ThisensuresthattheStudentVeteranunderstandsthatthesupportdoesn’tstopatAdmissions&Records,butlastsuntiltheygraduate.Ourvolunteershavequitethelistofcredentialsthathaveproventobeinvaluabletoourinstitution’ssuccesswhenitcomestoourStudentVeterans.ExamplesofthiswouldbeaformerGeologisttutoringaStudentVeteranregardinghisscienceclassthatheisstrugglingin;aformerEnglishmajorreadingaVeteran’sfinaldraftofanessaybeforeheorsheturnsitin;oraVietnamVeterantalkingwithastrugglingStudentVeteranaboutreasonstopushthroughthisroughmathclassbecause,“it’sonlytemporary,butsuccessispermanent”.TherearemanyformsofinformalmentoringthatgoonthroughoutthecourseofthedayintheVRC.ItisaplacewhereaStudentVeterancancomegrabacupofcoffee,dotheirhomework,andrelax.ThisiswheretheGBCStudentVeterans’supportishoused.WeareworkingonasimilarVRCattheGBCPahrumpValleyCenter.WealsoprovidetutoringthroughourAcademicSuccessCenter,whichisahighlyvaluedresourceofGBCforallstudentsalike.At1200noon,onthefirstandthirdTuesdaysofthemonth,theVRChousesaVAVetCentergroupthatisfacilitatedbyaclinicalpsychologistfromtheVetCenteroutofSaltLakeCity,UT.ThesemeetingsareagreatresourceforourVeteransinneedofmentalhealthservices.Ourgrouphasbecomequitelarge,servicingawidevarietyofbranchesanderas.VeteransrelatetoVeterans,thisiswherecomraderycomesintoaction.ThereasonthatourVRCisacomfortableplaceforVeteransisbecausewepromotecomradery.ItisthatmissingpieceofmilitaryculturethatbondsourVets,causingthemtoleanoneachother.TheVRCCoordinatorconductedapaintingclassforVeteransasamethodofde‐stressing.TheclasswasfreetoVeteransandwasverysuccessful.WeencourageallofourfacultyandstafftofrequenttheVRCsothatthestudentveteransfeelthattheyarebeingsupportedbyallofGBC.ThishasbeenwellreceivedbybothGBCemployeesandStudentVeterans.Wehavecreateda,“HonorourVeterans”environmentoutsidetheVRCinthehallway.This
11
helpstobringawarenessaboutourpastandpresentmilitarymemberstotherestofourstudentpopulation.Thisensuresagoodworkingenvironmentbetweenthetwopopulationswhileinclassesandbeyond.WehavedonethiswithshowcasingVeterans,theirstoriesanda“ThisMonthinMilitaryHistory”board.WealsoencourageourStudentVeteranstobringintheirformerunitpatchestoaddtoourpatchwall.ThisgivestheStudentVeteransomeprideandownershipintheVRC,andthecollegeaswell.Weareveryvisiblewithadvertisementsandpostersthroughoutcampusandourcommunity.OurinstructorshavealsobeeninvaluablebysendingtheirStudentVeteranstous.WeworkcloselywiththeStudentFinancialServicessothatfinancialbarriersarenotareasontoquit.Wehaveco‐createdacommunitygrouptohelpallVeterans,includingourstudents,getbetterservicesinruralNevada.Weareincompliancewith“PrinciplesofExcellence”administeredthroughtheDepartmentofVeteransAffairs,andweareasupportingmemberofthe“8KeystoVeteransSuccess”,throughtheDepartmentofEducation.WeassistourVeteransineverywaypossiblethroughourpersonalapproach.WehaveaStudentVeteransofAmerica(SVA)Chapterhereoncampuscalledthe“BattleBornVeteransClub”,whichallowsVeteranstotransitionbackintocivilianlifewiththehelpofotherStudentVeterans.Theclubhasbeenveryproactiveoncampusandcontinuestogrowanddogreatthings.FromGreatBasinCollegeadministratorstostudentworkers,GBChasensuredthatourStudentVeteranshavethetoolstheyneedtofacilitateasuccessfulcollegeexperienceandassisttheminreachingtheirpersonaleducationalgoals.
TMCC
TruckeeMeadowsCommunityCollege’s(TMCC)VeteranServicesisdeterminedtoretainandgraduateveteranstudentsthroughnumerousprojectsandinitiatives.Tothatend,beginningFall2015welaunchedtwobrandnewveteranprograms,throughthesupportoftheNevadaMilitarySupportAlliance:theVeteranLeadershipAcademy(VLA)andtheStudentVeteranMentorProgram.Thesetwoveteranprogramsaredesignedtoassistthestudentincreatingapositiveexperienceinhighereducation.TheVLAisdesignedfor10studentveteranstoenhancetheirleadershipskillsbyinteractionwithlocalleadersthroughvariouspartnersofthecommunity.Theywillhavetheopportunitytolistenandaskdirectquestionsoftheseleaderstobetterunderstandtheapplicationofleadershipinapracticalenvironment.TheStudentVeteranMentorProgramisdesignedfor50studentveteransthatareassignedtoafacultymentorwhowillassistthemintheirtransitiontotheacademicenvironment.Duringthisprogramtheywillalsoberequiredtoattendaminimumofthreeveteran‐specificworkshopsoreventsthataredesignedtoenhancetheiroverallsuccessasastudentandaprofessional.Ultimatelytheseprogramscreatesuccessforthestudentveteranpersonallyandacademically.CreatedinApril2014,andnowwiththesupportoftheTradeAdjustmentAssistanceCommunityCollegeandCareerTraining(TAACCCT)grant,theVeteransResourceCenter(VRC)providesadedicatedspaceforTMCC’sveterans.Thisisanareaforstudentveteranstoapplyforbenefits,findoutaboutveteran‐relatedeventsandresources,andsimplyhangoutandhaveacupofcoffeewiththeirfellowveterans.Thishelpsusbetterserveourstudentveteranpopulationbygivingthemamorepersonalexperienceaswellasprovidinganareathatthestudentscancalltheirown.Studentveteransareauniquestudentgroupwherefirstimpressionscanplayakeyroleintheircollegeendeavor.TheseoperationsintheVRChelpprovideacomfortableandtrustworthyenvironmenttohelpthestudentveteransucceed.
12
Onethemewhichhelpsretentionandgraduationiscreatingalowstressenvironment.Operatingunderamodelofcontinuousimprovement,wecontinuallyimplementinitiativestohelpstudentveteranssucceedintheiroverallacademicgoals.Wepartnerwithlocalveteranorganizationstohelpfundstudentveteranscholarships.Thesescholarshipshelpeasethefinancialburdenthatsomestudentsface.Ourinstitutionalsoestablishedearlyenrollmentforstudentveterans,beginningin2012.BecausemostveteransatTMCCarefinanciallydependentontheirVAEducationBenefits,itiscrucialthattheygetenrolledintheclassestheyneedinordertobecertifiedforbenefits.VeteranServicesconductsnumerousveteranoutreacheventsalongwithveteran‐specificprofessionaldevelopmentworkshopsthatarefreeofcharge.WeareabletoholdlargeveteraneventssuchasBBQswhereourveteranscaninteractwitheachother.Theabilitytodothishelpstheveteransrevisitthecomraderytheyoncehadwhiletheywereintheservice.Wehavealsopartneredwithcommunityresourcestoofferworkshopsforfacultyandstaffinorderbettereducatethemonthemilitary/veteranculture.WerecentlyimplementeddirectaccesstoourstudentveteranswhoareidentifiedinTMCC’searlyalertsystem.Thisearlyalertsystemgivesustheopportunitytoidentifystudentveteransstrugglingintheirclassesandthenreferthemtocampusresourcesonanindividualbasis.
WNC
ThefollowingsummarizestheapproachtakenbyWNCinsupportstudentveterans:
1. Holisticapproachtotheindividuala. Wehavehadvetscheckinwhowerehomeless,withouttransportationormoneyforfood.b. Wehavedevelopedmanycontactsinthecommunitytoassisttheseveterans.
2. Tutoring
a. Manyveteranswerenotscholasticoverachieversinhighschool.b. Further,theyhavenotbeenintheschoolenvironmentinmanyyears.c. Weassistthetransitionwithremedialclasses,individualandgrouptutoringandthe
VeteransUpwardBoundprogramandconstantmonitoringofacademicstatus.
3. Mentorshipa. EveryonewhoworksintheVRCisaveteran.b. ThecoordinatorisaretiredMarineCorpsofficer.c. Thepre‐admissionsadvisorwasaneightyearveteranoftheMarineCorpswhograduated
fromWNCandisnowfinishinguphisbachelor’sdegree.d. AllsixofthestudentveteranworkershavemultiplesemestersatWNCundertheirbelts.
MostareontheDean’sList.
13
e. Eachincomingveteranisindividuallywelcomedandcounseledbythepre‐admissionsadvisorandVRCCoordinatorincludingreviewofasixteenpointchecklistthatincludescommonstudentveteranpitfallsandservicesprovidedbytheVeteransResourceCenter.
4. Advisinga. AfteraninitialorientationtotheVeteransResourceCenterandPrograms,weexploreways
tobeasuccessfulstudent.b. Weexplorewaystobeasmartstudentregardingschedulingofclasses,typesofsemester
classesandloadbreakdown.c. Wehaveassistedstudentveteranswithclassesonhowtoplanaweekfromclasstimeto
mergingwork,family,andstudytime.d. TheVRCCoordinatoristhestudentveteran’sfacultyadvisorfortheirtimeatWNC.e. StudentsnotmeetingSatisfactoryAcademicProgress(SAP)meetwiththeCoordinator
weeklytoreviewpreviousweek’swork,currentweekrequirementsandupcomingsemesterprojectsforeachclass.
5. Careerexploration/definition&AcceleratedTechnicalProgramsa. Forthosestudentswhodonothaveanacademicdirectionorchosencareerfield,wework
withSIGI3softwaretoassistthatprocess.SIGI3basicallydoesaninventoryofanindividual’slikes,dislikes,mergesthatwithworkexperience/militaryoccupationalspecialty,andgivespossiblecareerpathstoexplorebaseduponthoseanswersandshowsschoolswiththoseprograms.
14