military outreach: strategies for serving our veterans mark eister director of military outreach...
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Military Outreach:Strategies for Serving Our Veterans
Mark EisterDirector of Military Outreach
February 2, 2015
Mark EisterUS Army (Ret)
Director of Military OutreachGeorgia Perimeter College
Combat tour in Afghanistan, with Military Service across the US and in
“Military Friendly”Everybody’s doing it...
AgendaAgenda
Military/Veteran Profile Transition Challenges VA Benefits Trends Veteran Statistics Best Practices/Services Offered Q & A
Why Are We Here?
GPC Student VeteranNavy Combat MedicPurple HeartPTSD/TBIWounded Warrior LeaderDAV (Disabled American Vets)
Jarrad Turner
Who is a Student Veteran?
Student Veterans are a diverse group: From all branches of the military Range in age, race/ethnicity, and gender Have served during times of war and peace Have different educational goals More likely to have families
Who is a Student Veteran?
Student Veterans have unique challenges: Transitioning from combat to classroom Moving into a less structured environment Some, but not all, have PTSD (Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder, TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), etc. Challenges navigating VA benefits process Have never attended college or have been out of
school for a long time
Military Experience
Separation from family or loved ones Most are leaving home for the first time Separation from extended family and close
friends Separation from boyfriends and girlfriends May be assigned to a base in a different
part of the country or world Adjustments to new climates and culture
Transition StrengthsTransition Strengths Veterans transitioning out of the military onto
college campuses bring a unique perspective Military training Life experience Expansive world view
Skills taught in the military help students to be successful Leadership Discipline/Motivation Time Management Work Ethic Stress Management
Transition Challenges
Being an older student Freshman 24+ years old with 18 year old
classmates Alienation
Veterans may find it difficult to integrate on campus due to their different life experiences
Insensitivity of some classmates, faculty, and others on campus when discussing military and war Veterans may have different views or may feel
attacked when asked about their experiences
Veteran Transition Challenges
Potential transition barriers to success Difficulty translating military skills into a new
profession Difficulty changing focus from military to civilian Schools attempting to decipher transfer credits from
military training and multiple colleges/universities Difficulty navigating the application, enrollment and
registration process Difficulty using GI Bill and other VA benefits
Student Veterans with Disabilities
23% to 31% of Veterans of OIF/OEF have PTSD symptoms and 20% have mild TBIs. Some of these veterans are on our campuses. New Disability Unaware of available services May not want to identify as having a disability
due to stigma, pride, etc.
Transition Difficulties
Things to understand about student veterans in the classroom: Some may...
Have difficulty relating to classmates Find loud noises to be disturbing Become anxious with changes in the classroom Have excessive absences Have PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
or TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury)
Veteran BenefitsStudent Veterans are using a variety
of VA educational benefits
Post 9/11 GI Bill
Selected Reserve GI Bill
Active Duty Montgomery GI Bill
National Call to Service Program
Reserve Educational Assistance (REAP)
Survivors & Dependents Assistance (DEA)
Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)
Veteran Stats Georgia has over 800,000 Veterans
Wars ending in Iraq and Afghanistan continue to raise this number, plus...
Planned military drawdown will bring even more veterans to our campuses
Student VeteransStudent Veteransat Georgia Perimeter Collegeat Georgia Perimeter College
One of the largest veteran populations in University System of Georgia
800+ student veterans receiving VA educational benefits (Spring Semester, 2015)
Hundreds more attend GPC who are not receiving VA benefits
(Military drawdown) + (end of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan) = many more veterans on campuses
Strategies for Being More Military Friendly
Senior Leadership Involvement and Support MOC (Military Outreach Center) Military Scholarships SVA (Student Veterans Association) Green Zone MVP (Mentoring Veterans Program) Early Alert Advising Free Tutoring Inter-departmental Collaboration/Cooperation Local Organizational Support
Military Outreach Center Veterans Lounge, Computer Lab, Library, Study Area,
Kitchenette, Conference/Training Room, Advisement Offices, SVA (Student Veterans Association)
Staffed full-time by military veterans Provides services to active military, veterans and their families in
the following areas:
Financial AidAcademic Advising
VA Benefits InformationDisability Accommodations
Personal Counseling ServicesPeer-to-Peer Support and Mentoring
Referral to State and Federal Resources
Military Outreach Center
Mark Eister and Chris Noerjadi with MOC Donations
Computers, free
printing, free snacks and drinks,
lounge area, TV/DVD,
study area, advisement
offices, conference
and meeting area.
MOC Art
MOC Resource Booths
Located on all five GPC Campuses Staffed by VA Work-Study students
GPC Military Scholarships Marcus Foundation Military Scholarship (10) Military Outreach Scholarship VFW Post 10822 Scholarship Remington Youngblood/Change4Georgia
Scholarship AVVBA (Atlanta Vietnam Veterans Business
Association) Scholarship American Legion Post 66 Scholarship COL Robert E. Rogan Scholarship
SVAStudent Veterans Association
An approved chapter of the national organization Student Veterans of America.
Student-led, college-wide organization providing veterans the opportunity to meet together to study, relax, plan
events and perform community service.
Green Zone(Staff & Faculty Training
Program)
MVP(Mentoring Veterans Program)
CAV(Calling All Veterans)
GPC ‘Home Grown’ Programs
Things to Remember
Military and Veteran students are a unique population with diverse experiences and challenges.
There are numerous ways to help student veterans, just as there are for other student populations.
Senior leadership support is critical to truly becoming a Military Friendly School!
Military Outreach CenterMark Eister, MOC Director
John Douglas, MOC [email protected]
Chris Noerjadi, Military Student [email protected]
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8am-5pmPhone: 678-891-3025