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.

 

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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.

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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

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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. 

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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.

 

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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.)

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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