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Penn State Mont Alto SVA
3
Executive Summary
The Penn State Mont Alto Student Veterans Association is a student organization on an idyllic,
103 acre tree-lined campus in Central Pennsylvania. Student veterans of all ages and
backgrounds are challenged at Penn State Mont Alto to be prepared to live and work anywhere
in the world. We want all Penn State Mont Alto graduates to have the skills and knowledge they
need to thrive in their careers.
Student veterans are welcomed into our extended family of camaraderie amongst a strong
network of campus and community leaders. Our focus is to advocate and provide our student
veterans with the resources they need in order to achieve their academic and career goals. This
business plan will detail four main goals along with short and long-term objectives and
strategies our student veteran organization has established in order for us to better serve our
nations heroes at Penn State Mont Alto: Serve as a collective voice for student veterans on
campus, Maintain and increase active membership of the Penn State Mont Alto SVA, Enhance
the college experience for student veterans and set them up for future success, Encourage the
implementation and/or enhancement of resources, programs, and policies to support the
student veteran population across the Penn State University system.
At Penn State Mont Alto you will get a top-tier education, with its reputation for excellence, as
well as the benefits of a small, nurturing campus dedicated to serving its student veterans.
Penn State Mont Alto SVA
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Mission Statement
To provide military veterans and their families with the advocacy and resources to support their
successful transition into the university and through graduation
Vision Statement
At Penn State Mont Alto, our fundamental values are to provide a world-class education,
opportunities, and experiences for our student veterans. Aligning with campus and university
initiatives, our vision is to collaborate with key stakeholders to create a preeminent veteran
friendly institution by:
Creating programs that support a personal and welcoming transition from military to
campus life
Promoting an extended family atmosphere of camaraderie amongst all veterans
Educating the campus and local community on student veteran challenges
Providing the tools necessary to achieve their academic and career goals through
graduation and into new and rewarding careers.
Background
In May 1903, Penn State Mont Alto was founded as the Pennsylvania State Forestry Academy.
Over 100 years later, the Forestry Academy, now Penn State Mont Alto has a strong tradition of
educating student veterans. Just after WWII, the majority of students on campus were
veterans. Since that time, Penn State Mont Alto has excelled in supporting, serving, and
educating our nation’s heroes.
The Penn State Mont Alto Student Veterans of America chapter was founded in 2011. Since the
chapters founding, we have made tremendous strides in honoring and supporting our student
veterans. Currently, 6% of the student population is comprised of veteran students. The
campus culture at Penn State Mont Alto is very welcoming, comfortable, and our student
veterans enjoy the extended family atmosphere. The extended family atmosphere is the
backbone of our chapter. The key to all of our successes lies within the strong and dedicated
collaborative network of campus leadership, faculty/staff, alumni, and community members
who are intimately involved in supporting, mentoring, and empowering our veteran students.
Our chapter members have gained prominence on campus as true leaders. We have members
in Student Government, Peer Tutors, numerous student groups, athletics, and leaders of the
Penn State Mont Alto SVA
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world’s largest student run philanthropy Penn State Dance Marathon where last year they
raised over $12.3 million for the fight against pediatric cancer. We have created a strategic
business plan built on our motto of “Success with Honor” and the foundations of the MFRI SVO
Manual: Success in 3D and American Council on Education (ACE) Veteran Friendly Toolkit.
Campus Culture
As mentioned, the Penn State Mont Alto culture is focused on an extended family atmosphere
of camaraderie and togetherness. The campus is very in tuned with identifying and addressing
the needs and expectations of our student veterans. Currently, the total student population is
approximately 1100 and 45 of which are student veterans. The majority of our veteran
students are classified as commuter students and only a very small percentage are residential.
All current student veterans are welcomed as chapters members and upon graduation have the
opportunity to join the over 500,000 member Penn State Alumni Association. Penn State Mont
Alto has identified the following needs and expectations of our student veterans based on our
semi-annual survey of current and former veteran students:
Social support and a sense of fitting in
Introductory courses in Math, English, Writing
Flexible class schedules
Academic and career counseling
Financial needs
Campus leadership and our student veteran chapter have formed a positive and successful
partnership in addressing these needs and expectations. As a demonstration of Penn State
Mont Alto’s commitment to student veterans, our chancellor Dr. Francis A. Achampong has
signed a pledge to join the Education Pillar of the Got Your 6 campaign by implementing and
enhancing resources, programs, and policies to support our veteran population.
Penn State Mont Alto SVA
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Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT) Analysis
Strengths
Great collaborative environment with student veterans, campus, and local community
Dedicated student veteran peer support network
Student Veterans awareness on campus
Student Veteran dedication to each other, the university, and community
Weaknesses
Active involvement
Communication amongst other PSU SVOs
Opportunities
Collaborative partnerships with all PSU SVOs
Additional corporate outreach partners
Establishing annual student veteran social event
Additional community service project partners
Threats
Reduced student veteran population
Reduced funding
Approval of chapter initiatives through main campus
Leadership transition
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Strategy Implementation
We have identified 4 main strategic goals for our organization, short-term (1 year or less) and
ongoing (1 year or more) objectives, and our strategies by which we will accomplish them.
1. Serve as a collective voice for student veterans on campus
Short-Term Objectives:
1A: Create a semi-annual survey at the end of fall and spring semesters for members to
express strengths and weaknesses within veteran services at Penn State Mont Alto
Strategy i: Identify office of primary responsibility (OPR) for the development and
administration of the survey
Strategy ii: Monitor/evaluate results of the survey and revise programs/services
accordingly
1B: Engage all faculty/staff on the dynamic characteristics of student veterans at Mont Alto
Professional Development Days in 2014 prior to spring and fall semesters and during 2014
monthly Faculty Senate Meetings
Strategy i: Collaborate with University, faculty/staff, and non-profits such as SVA,
Institute for Veterans Military Families, and Vet Advisor to offer assistance on how to recruit,
train, and interface with veterans and service members
Strategy ii: Write an annual letter to the President of Penn State University and
Chancellor of Penn State Mont Alto based on survey findings with the inclusion of
accomplishments, real world applicable solutions to short comings and enhancement strategies
for successful best practices
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1C: Create a Lion Listeners program by Feb 2014 on campus to serve as open door policy
mentors to student veterans. Program will be monitored by PSU Mont Alto Veterans Services
Coordinator (Note: Lion Listener program is explained in detail on page 14 under Program
Descriptions)
Strategy i: Partner with non-profit organization, Vet Advisor, to offer professional
development training on dynamic characteristics of student veterans to Penn State Mont Alto
leadership, faculty, and staff
Strategy ii: Create list of leadership, faculty, and staff to serve as Lion Listener
mentors and distribute to all student veterans.
1D: Engage a minimum of 2 other student groups in 2014 to increase veteran footprint and
visibility around campus
Strategy i: Schedule to attend meetings of at least 2 other student organizations to
discuss an opportunity to work together
Strategy ii: Incorporate other student organizations in our community service,
social, and other activities
Ongoing Objective:
1E: Serve as the focal point for veterans advocacy on campus and university-wide
Strategy i: In utilizing our other objectives such as the semi-annual survey, monitor
what the needs and expectations are for our student veterans
Strategy ii: Collaborate with National SVA, other PSU SVA Chapters, Penn State Sub-
Committee on Veteran Services, and other advocacy groups to determine and implement the
best strategies to accomplish our goals at the school, regional, state, and national level
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2. Maintain and increase active membership of Penn State Mont
Alto SVA
Short-Term Objectives:
2A: Maintain current active membership level of 8 out of 45 eligible and increase active
membership level by 10% of total eligible in 2014
Strategy i: In collaboration with the Veteran Services Coordinator, develop veteran
specific orientation along with welcome luncheon prior to the start of the fall semester to
engage with new and incoming student veterans, provide hands-on information regarding
university policies and procedures, university programs and services for student veterans, invite
local Veterans Affairs representative to discuss benefits, and invite local veteran supportive
non-profit organizations
Strategy ii: Schedule recruitment booths on campus during first two weeks of the
semester, prior to Veterans Day activities, and other highly attended campus events or
programs
Strategy iii: Monthly social events for all student veterans and their families to
attend
2B: Establish social media footprint on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn by the end of 2014 to
have a minimum of 50 likes/followers/connections by posting a minimum of weekly to one of
the accounts by the Communications Coordinator
Strategy i: Create and market public Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn accounts via
student veteran distribution list and in PSU Mont Alto Veteran Services welcome packets
Strategy ii: Establish professional networking group on LinkedIn to connect current
and alumni student veterans
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3. Enhance the college experience for student veterans and set
them up for future success
Short-Term Objectives:
3A: Enhance Academic Support for student veterans by end of 2014 by offering veteran
specific tutoring sessions
Strategy i: Collaborate with the Academic Support Center to establish individual and
group veteran specific tutoring sessions
3B: Enhance Career Services for student veterans by end of 2014 by establishing veteran
specific career counseling sessions
Strategy i: Collaborate with the Career Services to establish veteran specific career
counseling sessions such as workshops for resume writing, interview preparation, internship
and job search, and career planning
Strategy ii: Collaborate with Career Services, local veteran friendly corporations and
businesses to conduct employer panel and attend career informational sessions at these
locations
3C: Finalize collaborative project plan by January 31, 2014 with campus leadership for
establishing Veteran Success Center in the Spring House on campus with a project completion
deadline of December 31, 2014.
Strategy i: Collaborate with university and campus leadership on a project outline
along with our chapter business plan to apply for the VetCenter Initiative grant from SVA and
the Home Depot Foundation
Ongoing Objectives:
3D: Establish career mentorship pipelines for student veterans in Business, Medical,
Education, Social-Work, Law, Forestry, and IT career fields. Initial goal is to have at least one
mentor in each career field by January 2015.
Strategy i: By collaborating with the Penn State Alumni Association and student
veteran alumni, establish an Alumni Association Student Veteran Interest Group by end of 2014
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Strategy ii: Schedule networking events connecting our student veterans with
professionals in desired career fields at least once a semester
Strategy iii: Invite vetted businesses to present recruitment plans of their
organizations to chapter members at employer panels at least once a semester
Strategy iv: Utilize newly established LinkedIn networking group to connect current
and alumni chapter members with professionals in desired career fields
3E: Lower the financial burden on veterans at Penn State Mont Alto
Strategy i: Collaborate with PA State Legislature the PA
Department of Military and Veteran Affairs, PA Student Veteran Organizations, and other
community Veteran Service Organizations to establish a state bill for in-state tuition for student
veterans attending state schools such as Penn State Mont Alto
Strategy ii: Collaborate with Penn State Mont Alto Development Office and Patriot
Federal Credit Union to establish a student veteran scholarship endowment on campus
3F: Enhance the veteran friendly climate at Penn State Mont Alto by implementing programs
and services aligned with the criteria listed in our vision statement
Strategy i: Collaborate with campus leadership to sign the Education Pillar of the
“Got Your Six” pledge to implement and enhance resources, programs, and policies to support
the student veteran population utilizing the recommended resources from the Student
Veterans of America, American Council on Education Toolkit for Veteran Friendly Institutions,
and the Operation College Promise Field Guide
Strategy ii: Collaborate with Penn State Mont Alto Lion Ambassadors to have a
Student Veteran Lion Ambassador join their team to meet with prospective student veterans
(Note: Lion Ambassador Program is explained in detail on page 14 under Program Descriptions)
Penn State Mont Alto SVA
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Strategy iii: Collaborate with the Penn State Mont Alto Chancellor, Director of
Academic Affairs, and local educational service agency Lincoln Intermediate Unit to develop
free of cost introductory courses in Math, English, and Writing to our student veterans
Strategy iv: Collaborate with faculty, staff, and campus leadership to establish a
veteran specific student orientation to provide hands-on information regarding university
policies and procedures, university programs and services for student veterans, invite local
Veterans Affairs representative to discuss benefits, and invite local veteran supportive non-
profit organizations
4. Encourage the implementation and/or enhancement of
resources, programs, and policies to support the student veteran
population across the Penn State University system
Short-Term Objective:
4A: Establish a strategic partnership by the end of 2014 with the Penn State University
Hendrick Best Practices for Adult Learners Student Veterans Sub-Committee to provide
student veteran input on veteran programs and services across the Penn State University
system
Strategy i: Meet with university leadership and members of the committee to share
best practices, challenges, and solutions on veteran programs and services at PSU Mont Alto
Ongoing Objective:
4B: Enhance the veteran friendly climate across the Penn State University system
Strategy i: Collaborate with university leadership to sign the Education Pillar of the
“Got Your Six” pledge to implement and enhance resources, programs, and policies to support
the student veteran population utilizing the recommended resources from the Student
Veterans of America, American Council on Education Toolkit for Veteran Friendly Institutions,
and the Operation College Promise Field Guide
Strategy ii: Collaborate with university and other Penn State campus leadership to
share best practices for constructing and developing a Veteran Success Center on every Penn
State campus in the Commonwealth
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Strategy iii: : Collaborate with university and other Penn State campus leadership to
share best practices on establishing a veteran specific student orientation to provide hands-on
information regarding university policies and procedures, university programs and services for
student veterans, invite local Veterans Affairs representative to discuss benefits, and invite local
veteran supportive non-profit organizations
Strategy iv: Recommend all Penn State campuses address a letter annually to the
university president and student veteran services sub-committee by developing a system of
reporting metrics, providing a status report on the progress of the student veteran affairs, and
providing recommendations for better serving the veteran population at their campus and
university-wide
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Program Descriptions
Student Veteran Lion Ambassador Program
Lion Ambassadors are students who represent Penn State Mont Alto to prospective students
and families, faculty and staff, alumni and the community. Lion Ambassadors at Penn State
Mont Alto work closely with the Admissions office. It is a diverse group of students who come
from a variety of majors, interests, and backgrounds. These students provide a service to Penn
State Mont Alto by sharing pride, enthusiasm and commitment to the University. A few
additional goals of our Lion Ambassador Organization at Penn State Mont Alto are to gain
leadership skills, public speaking skills and time management skills that are necessary for our
Lion Ambassadors’ future. A Student Veteran Lion Ambassador is the first point of contact for a
prospective student veteran. They are the front lines to personally welcoming new student
veterans and providing peer support to ease the transition to campus life.
Lion Listener Program
The Lion Listener Program provides for the opportunity for our student veterans to gain
mentorship from Penn State Mont Alto leadership, faculty, and staff who are fellow veterans
and non-veterans as well. In collaboration with veteran founded organization, Vet Advisor,
train campus administrators, faculty, and staff on how to best source and retain student
veterans, as well as trainings to facilitate a better understanding of military culture and how
that differs from the culture of the campus. They are trained in the following areas: student
veteran sourcing strategies; veteran-centric sensitivity; student veteran retention strategies;
and the value of student veterans to campus life. Once trained, mentors are available in almost
all areas of campus life to include leadership, faculty, academic and student affairs, veteran
affairs, and career services. By having mentors trained in all areas it allows the student veteran
to personally select a mentor they feel comfortable with and have a positive relationship.
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Penn State University Hendrick Best Practices for Adult Learners Student Veterans Sub-
Committee
The Student Veterans Sub-Committee of the Penn State University Best Practices for Adult
Learners is an initiative spearheaded by university leadership, Office of Adult Learners, and
Penn State Student Veterans Organizations. It is comprised of educators across the Penn State
University system that is responsible for advising veteran programs and services across the
Commonwealth. Additionally, they serve as a bridge to university leadership to address
challenges and issues raised by the Penn State student veteran population.
Seats for Soldiers
“Seats for Soldiers” is a collaborative effort spearheaded by Penn State Athletics, Penn State
Office of Adult Learners, and the Penn State Mont Alto Student Veterans Association to provide
veterans and their families with the opportunity to attend and be honored at a Penn State
football game on Military Appreciation Day. Fan and businesses donate tickets to the “Seats for
Soldiers” program to thank or honor a military service member. United States military service
members (Active/Reserve)/Wounded Warriors, their direct dependents, and Gold Star families
residing in Pennsylvania are invited to attend the game through the program. Also, a pregame
tailgate is held for service members and their families with “Seats For Soldiers” tickets. Finally,
ROTC elite, active duty, Wounded Warriors and Penn State student veterans are honored for
their service during halftime.
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Operations
Leadership
The Penn State Mont Alto Student Veterans Association organizational structure and
responsibilities are detailed below:
President – The President is responsible for the overall operations and direction of the
chapter to include developing and maintaining the chapter business plan with the goals,
objectives/strategies, and proper sustainment of the organization. In addition, the
President approves the chapter budget. Additional duties if necessary.
Vice-President – The Vice-President is responsible for providing operational assistance
to the President in developing and maintaining the chapter business plan with the goals,
objectives/strategies, and proper sustainment of the organization. In addition, the Vice-
President serves as the development officer to establish and maintain strategic
partnerships with outside organizations. Additional duties if necessary.
Treasurer – The Treasurer is responsible for maintaining the chapters’ financials to
include creating the annual chapter budget. Also, maintaining the financial records in
the veteran’s affairs office. Additional duties if necessary.
Communications Coordinator – The Communications Coordinator is responsible for
transcribing all meeting notes, the records management system in the veteran’s affairs
office, and all marketing to include social media. Additional duties if necessary.
Student Government Representative – The Student Government Representative
position sits on the General Assembly of the Penn State Mont Alto Student Government
Association to represent the overall interests of the chapter. Additional duties if
necessary.
Leadership Transition Plan
Elections are held each fall semester to select the leadership of the Penn State Mont Alto
Student Veterans Association with the exception of the position of President. Every spring or if
the current President resigns or graduates the Veterans Services Coordinator and current
chapter leadership will interview each person running and select the best candidate. If all
current chapter leadership are resigning or graduating, the Veterans Affairs Advisor selects the
President. This plan provides the chapter with the ability to not only select its own leaders, but
to ensure leadership sustainability during periods of attrition.
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Marketing
We will utilize a creative and effective marketing plan based on our own 4 P’s of the Marketing
Mix for service oriented organizations: People, Physical Evidence, Processes, and Philosophy.
People - People refer to the knowledge, skills and values of the people delivering the
service, but also the customers and how they interact. Our student veterans in Penn State
Mont Alto SVA are the most knowledgeable about our organization and offer peer to peer
support to current and prospective student veterans. Example: Student Veteran Lion
Ambassadors
Physical Evidence - Physical evidence refers to what's used to promote and run the service,
for example the quality of the promotional pieces and the appearance of all items that
reflect the brand image of the Penn State Mont Alto SVA. Example: Penn State Mont Alto
Veterans Memorial, chapter t-shirts, and chapter challenge coins
Processes - Processes refers to what the customer has to go through in order to receive the
service. On day one, a new student veteran is met by a peer and the veteran’s affairs
coordinator who take personal care of them as they transition to our campus, the new
academic environment, and welcoming them to our Penn State Mont Alto SVA. We view
our student veterans not as customers we serve, but as members of our extended family we
are honored and proud to serve with. Example: Lion Listener Program, Student Veteran
Lion Ambassadors, SVA social events and community service projects
Philosophy - Philosophy because service oriented organizations nearly always have a
philosophical/values base to what they are doing which is consciously and openly known
and needs to be embedded in all the activities. The Penn State Mont Alto SVA philosophy is
based on our mission statement and our vision of supporting student veterans by creating a
preeminent veteran friendly campus through programs to receive a world-class education,
new opportunities, and exciting experiences in our extended family environment.
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Financial Summary
Records Management
All financial records are maintained by the Treasurer including additional chapter records are
maintained by the Communications Coordinator in the Veterans Affairs Office.
Line ItemLine Item Description (less
than 300 characters)Budget Actual
Spring 2014 Chapter Meetings Refreshments 200.00$
Chapter T-Shirts 300.00$
Chapter Coins 200.00$
SVA National Conference Chapter Stipend 500.00$
Semester Total Budget
1,200.00$ -$
Line ItemLine Item Description (less
than 300 characters)Budget Actual
Student Government Allocation 150.00$ 150.00$
SVA Chapter Grant 1,500.00$ 1,500.00$
Semester Total Budget
1,650.00$ 1,650.00$
BALANCE Budget
450.00$ 1,650.00$
PSU MONT ALTO SVA CHAPTER BUDGET - 2013-14
Expenses
Revenues
BALANCE
Penn State Mont Alto SVA
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Achievements Summary
Penn State Mont Alto Veterans Memorial - fundraised over $35,000 to construct and
dedicate a veteran’s memorial on campus on September 11, 2012 to recognize and
honor the service of our past, present, and future student veterans at Penn State Mont
Alto
Advocated for and encouraged campus leadership to sign the Education Pillar of the Got
Your Six campaign pledge
Created the Student Veterans Lion Ambassador Program
Collaborated to establish the Lion Listener Program
Collaborated to establish “Seats for Soldiers” program at Penn State athletic events
Enhanced Penn State Mont Alto Veterans Services website
(http://www.ma.psu.edu/StudentServices/Veterans/vets.htm)
Advised university administration on the creation of the Student Veterans Sub-
Committee under Hendrick Best Practices for Adult Learners
Advocated for and created a veterans specific student orientation and priority class
scheduling for student veterans
Testified at Pennsylvania State Senate Hearing on student veteran challenges and
assisted in the creation of an in-state tuition bill (HB 472) currently in committee
Planned and collaborated with campus and local community on the Veterans Memorial
dedication and Veterans Day events
Created a semi-annual survey for members to express strengths and weaknesses within
veteran services at Penn State Mont Alto
Established social media footprint on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and the creation of a
student veteran outreach video on YouTube
Created and established an “Outstanding Student Veteran of the Year Award”
Participated in local community service events such as Homes for our Troops, Toys for
Tots, Cumberland Valley Rails to Trails, Penn State Dance Marathon
Established corporate outreach ties with local and national companies such as Morgan
Stanley, JP Morgan Chase, Target, Volvo, Manitowoc, Google, JLG
Partnered with University of Pittsburgh and Seton Hill to plan, coordinate, and execute
the 2013 Veterans Education and Employment Conference in Pittsburgh, PA