College Transitions for Student Veterans Martina
Preston-Sternberg, PhD (ABD) Monica Solinas-Saunders, PhD Dan
Nyaronga, PhD
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OUTLINE FACTS PERCEIVED OBSTACLES VETERANS AS STUDENTS FACULTY
IMPACT SUMMARY
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FACTS 1.5 million service members have been deployed to Iraq
and Afghanistan and are eligible for GI benefits (IAVA) Thousands
have been deployed multiple times in regular cycles resulting in
mid-semester withdrawals New GI Bill goes into effect August 2009-
allows veterans to transfer a portion of educational benefits to
dependents Indiana has tuition remission for children of disabled
veterans
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FACTS New GI bill could increase student veteran population as
it provides 4 academic years of educational benefits Over 15,000
Guard and Reserve service members live and work in Indiana 4000
deployed service members have recently returned 4
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Financial Benefits To Campuses 28,147 Service members have
served in Iraq and Afghanistan since 9/11 6,535 Service members are
currently deployed 70% of Veterans attend college, many with the
G.I. Bill 19,702($4500)=$88,663,050 (Statewide) Over
4yrs.=$709,304,400 (Statewide) Only 8% persist to graduation Net
loss of $652,560,048 (Statewide) Courtesy of John Schuppe and Ryan
Carlson
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Academic and Social Integration Tinto study - Two variables
important to retention efforts are academic integration and social
integration (Tinto, 1993). Students are academically and socially
integrated when they have positive regard for their academic
performance and they value the social relationships they have
established at the institution.
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Perceived Obstacles From Student Veteran Perspective Academic
integration College is a puzzling maze Adjusting to college life
Lack of assistance or awareness from departments on campus Social
Integration / Connecting with Peers Identity issues Finances
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OBSTACLES: Medical, Emotional, Financial Adjustment to college
life is difficult WHY? Physical conditions (TBI mild to severe,
amputations, GI, pulmonary, dermatologic burns on body, hearing
loss, loss of sight, etc) Combat Stress Injuries (PTSD, depression,
anxiety and panic, anger, substance abuse) Financial Reintegration
(family, leaving battle buddies, making new friends, new culture of
civilian life)
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Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Symptoms of depression,
irritability, reliving intense emotional trauma, social withdrawal,
sleep disturbances, memory and concentration problems, anger, lack
of trust Most prevalent symptoms include hyperarousal, re-
experiencing, and avoidance (Brenner et al., 1996) Symptoms impede
academic success and decrease persistence to degree completion
Symptoms can begin at anytime in semester
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Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Signature injury of
Iraq/Afghanistan war Walter Reed Hospital: about 60% of cases are
TBI traumatic brain injury Severity is on a continuum from mild to
severe; often accompanied by forgetfulness and restless sleep Sleep
filled with feelings of helplessness, loss of control Headaches,
sensitivity to light or noise, behavioral changes. Thinking
(impaired memory and reasoning; loss of problem solving ability).
Further complications of sensation (touch, taste, and smell) and
language Emotion (depression, anxiety, personality changes,
aggression, acting out, social inappropriateness). Symptoms impede
academic successforgotten homework, assignments, procrastination,
missed appointments, lack of time management skills Reduced chance
of academic persistence/success unless appropriate
intervention
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Do active Army and Marines NOT report?
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Going from the Battlefield to Home and Class Can Be a Hard
Reintegration Process You go from that situation where everything
goes 100 miles an hour, and it goes down to five miles an hour. I
sit there [during class] and Im tapping my foot and Im
anxious.
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When a service member comes home, he/she may find it hard....
Borrowed from Dr. Jennifer Lambert, VA Medical Center Reintegration
hard?
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To Study For a Psychology Test
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To sleep through the night
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To forgot what they have seen to stop the nightmares and
flashbacks
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To stay calm & not be startled when they hear loud
noises
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To make new friends in class
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How does combat affect your student veterans in YOUR class
Sleep difficulties Difficulty concentrating, focusing, homework
Discomfort in crowds, classrooms, closed spaces, need to sit where
they have best view of surroundings Anger/impatience Loud noises
can be disturbing Depression, loss of motivation Feel out of
place/different (isolated) Sensitive to war references Adjustment
from combat to campus Unusual items may cause anxiety -backpacks,
crumpled bags, etc.
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What Do Veterans ADD To Your Class? I think that my time in the
service gives me a lot of appreciation for an education that
otherwise wouldnt be possible, Bring a different perspective to
classrooms: Faculty were interviewed and most enjoyed having
student veterans because they were committed to learning and shared
real world experience that enriched the learning environment
Veterans were very much more serious than other studentsthey were
really smart fellows who work very hard (Edmonds, 2001: 136). They
challenged Professors who had not been challenged beforethey put
good input into the college (Edmonds, 2001: 136).
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What Can Faculty Do? Include veterans information on syllabus
Student veterans may/may not feel comfortable publicizing their
veteran status. This is especially true for some topics. If your
course covers war topics establish an atmosphere they feel
comfortable in. Be understanding of veterans different viewpoint on
topics. Be flexible with attendance for student veterans who have
appointments with Veterans Affairs. Rescheduling these appointments
is often not possible or result in a long delay. Be aware of
military spouses and family members with individuals deployed. This
is a very difficult period for them as well. Know the college and
community resources that might be available Takes VA a LONG time to
diagnose student vets with a disability so they can use disability
support services REFER if needed Last experience in a class setting
may not have been stellar have learned and grown help student
veterans realize how their military skills have set them up to
succeed THIS time in school
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Simple Dos and Donts for Faculty DO Provide support and
structure Recognize service and sacrifice Expect good performance,
but remember it takes time to readjust Know what resources are
available and refer if needed DO NOT Assume the worst Label with
PTSD, TBI (some combat vets have it some dont) Isolate or make them
stand out from their peers Make them a spokesperson for war or the
military Make comments about the war that might isolate We Love
Your Faces But Hate Your Bases! 22
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Innovations Around the Country Financial Support Scholarships
for veterans & spouses Tuition remission for children of
disabled vets Grants for tuition and fees In-State tuition rate for
state colleges Waiver first semester tuition (ISU) Education and
awareness: In-service training for faculty/staff Training available
on website for faculty/staff Veteran Support Veterans Desk Upward
Bound for Vets Online support center for vets 24/7 Veteran Services
Office one stop shops Online services, resources, classes
Identified academic counselors Identified disability support
counselors Adapted first year seminar Student vet club
Referral/coordination with VA and community resources Mentoring
Orientation to help adapt from military culture to college culture
PE classes adapted as needed
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What can WE do to engage and integrate student veterans? What
can student veterans do to help faculty help student veterans?
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Summary Veterans are deployed at highest number in many years
Veteran, spouse & child enrollments likely to increase GI Bill
will increase benefits beginning August 2009 Perceived obstacles of
student veterans Innovations around the country What can we do at
Ivy Tech to increase academic and social integration and therefore
retain student veterans and family members
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THANK YOU FOR SERVING!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ervaMPt4Ha0