Daniel Corr, Ed.D Scottsdale Community College

1. National Best Practices Supporting Student Veteran Community College Retention and Successful Transition to our Universities Andrew Griffin, Ed.D Northern Arizona University Daniel Corr, Ed.D Scottsdale Community College

2. Our Calling: Transition-Retain-Graduate-Career Development Phoenix~ Eric K. Shinseki, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, told college leaders here today at the American Council on Education's annual meeting that: “Colleges should reach out to the veterans arriving on their campuses and help them make the transition from the combat zone to college.” “Veterans especially need help in the first six months to a year, as they move from a high-stress, highly structured environment into a looser one at college.” “But admitting veterans with benefits from the new GI Bill is not enough, I’m looking at graduation rates.” ~The Chronicle of Higher Education, March 9, 2010. Colleges Should Help Veterans on Path to New Future, VA Secretary Says

3. Who are Today’s Military? • 2.5 Million have served since 9/11 • Guard and Reserves in unprecedented numbers • Often have had several deployments • Heavily engaged in combat • More than 1,000+ military bases in 130+ countries world-wide • Drawdown of the military will continue at a fast pace through 2016 www.military.com/video/operations-and-strategy/afghanistan-conflict/huge-taliban-ied-hits-buffalo/1708063884001/

4. Who are our Student Veterans? • Have the Post 9/11 GI Bill • 660,000 enrolled in higher education • Only 15% traditional college age • Older students: Average age is 27 • 27% female and 49% married • Most work at least part-time • Some post-secondary education • Resilient and know what they want • Motivated to succeed • Excellent addition to our classes • However, may bring challenges to our campuses

5. Transition Challenges 1. The Post 9-11 G.I. Bill 2. Transfer credit and initial academic counseling 3. Navigating both college and veteran bureaucracies. 4. Adjusting to the classroom and academic rigor 5. Social relationships on campus 6. A non-traditional student 7. Military deployments while in school 8. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) 9. Potentially other injuries

6. NAU: Working and Needs Work +Building a culture of trust and connectedness across the campus to promote veteran success + Developing a consistent and sustained support from campus leadership and others regarding best practices + Improving the Veteran Student Center + Collaboration with local communities and organizations, including government agencies, to align and coordinate various services for veterans + Providing comprehensive professional development for faculty and staff on issues and challenges unique to veterans + For fall 2014 we are launching a comprehensive student veteran transition program (VETS) + Expanding fundraising partnerships + State and national recognition for best practices - Construct a uniform set of data tools to collect and track information on veterans, including demographics, retention, and degree completion - Establish an early alert system to ensure all veterans receive academic, career, and financial advice before challenges become overwhelming - Institutionalize the seamless transfer of student veterans

7. SCC: Working and Working on • Created a veteran’s lounge • Formed a veteran’s student organization • Established a one-stop center for veteran’s financial aid • Offered special orientations for veteran students • Introduced veteran’s only college success course • Hosted first ever job fair for veteran students • Provided faculty professional development • Expanded partnerships with universities

8. Arizona Veterans Supportive CampusAZ Senate Bill 1373, section 41-609 | Signed April 2011 To qualify Institutions of Higher Learning must: • Conduct a campus survey of student veterans • Establish a campus steering committee • Conduct sensitivity and awareness training on campus • Establish student veteran orientation programs • Have peer mentoring and peer support programs for student veterans • Develop and implement outreach strategies to local military bases • Have one-stop resource and study centers on campus • Promote community-based collaborations • http://www.azdvs.gov/veteran_supportive_campuses.aspx

9. Critical Handoff Between the Community College and Universities • VA Certifying Officials coordinating the certification, use and transfer of educational benefits • Coordinating advisement for academics and transfer credit • Combined Student Veterans of America chapter events and communication • Coordination between veteran student advocacy offices regarding all other transfer special needs

10. Best Practices? Resources, Policies, and Recommendations Service and support based on: • AZ Senate Bill 1373, section 41-609: Arizona Veterans Supportive Campuses • Executive Order 13607 -- Establishing Principles of Excellence for Educational • Institutions Serving Service Members, Veterans, Spouses, and Other Family Members • President Obama’s “8 Keys to Success” in serving student veterans • Department of Defense Voluntary Education Memorandum of Understanding • American Council on Education (ACE) Toolkit for Veteran Friendly Institutions

11. Questions & Comments Andrew.Griffin@nau.edu daniel.corr@scottsdalecc.edu