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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