Supporting Military & Veteran First-Year Students: A Three-Tier Approach
Joshua Clasen - Office of Military and Veterans Services
Sophie Braga de Barros - Off-Campus & Commuter Student Services
Dilnavaz Cama - Off-Campus & Commuter Student Services
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Learning Outcomes
● Attendees will identify characteristics and challenges faced by the first-year military and veteran student population at OSU.
● Attendees will recognize key resources offered by Military and Veterans Services in order to support first-year military and veteran students from their areas.
● Attendees will identify the purpose of the Veteran Community Advocate Program and the importance of extending support for this population across the university.
● Attendees will examine their role of support after identifying the three tiers of support for military and veteran students at OSU.
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Military & Veteran Students @ Ohio State
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Key Demographics and Characteristics
● Total Military-Affiliated Population at The Ohio State University○ 2,280 Students (3.4% of Total University Enrollment)
■ 128 Active Duty Military Personnel● Student is serving full-time.
■ 436 National Guard/Reserve Members● Student is serving part-time (1 weekend a month/2 weeks a
year).■ 849 Military Veterans
● Student is no longer serving.■ 429 ROTC Students
● Students may or may not be serving.■ 438 Military-Connected Dependents
● Students have parents/guardians who are currently or have previously served.
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● General Student Veteran Demographics○ 95% are non-traditional college students.○ 47% have children.○ 47% are married.○ 62% are first generation students.○ 51% report having a VA disability rating.○ 46% work full-time or part-time while in school.○ 32% use federal student loans and personal savings to fund
education in addition to GI Bill.○ 70% use the GI Bill.○ Represent all colleges/majors; Bachelors through
PhD/JD/MD/DVM
Key Demographics and Characteristics
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What Does the Research Say?
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Characteristics
● Growing population
● Different social
identities within
● Strictly Structured
● “Non-Traditional”
Challenges
● Transitioning into
“civilian” life
● Long absence from
prior schooling
● External
Commitments
● Mental Health
● Bureaucracy
Support
● Social Networks
● Representation
among faculty/staff
● Orientation
● Education of
faculty/staff
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The Three Tiers of Support
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Office of Military & Veterans Services (OMVS)● The university’s single point of contact for all military and veterans
services and concerns.
○ Manages the certification process for all VA education benefits (GI Bill).○ Coordinates the VA education payment activity with the Buckeyelink,
Registrar, Bursar, and Financial Aid offices.○ Academic Advising for Exploration students.○ Assists students with accessing essential university services including
advising, advocacy, counseling, and disability services.○ Connects students with State and Federal agencies that support
veterans.○ Supports student success through office programming and events.○ Educates faculty and staff on military student issues.
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● Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits
○ Tuition (Up to 100% of all Tuition and Fees)○ Book Stipend ($40 per Credit Hour up to $1000 per Year)○ Living Stipend (Monthly Housing Allowance ~$1200)
● GI Bill Rules and Regulations○ Financial Aid Types
■ Tuition Specific Scholarships and Grants○ Coursework
■ Must be Required for Degree Completion○ Full Time Status
■ Differs from University’s Definition○ Approved Programs
■ Study Abroad, Aviation/Flight, Etc.
VA Benefits Certification
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● Orientation (First Year and Transfer Sessions)○ OMVS meets with students at check-in.○ Student completes transfer orientation programming and
registers for classes.○ Student finishes session at OMVS to start GI Bill process, learn
about available services, and have any other questions answered.
● Exploration Advising○ Dedicated university exploration advisor within OMVS.○ Acts as secondary advisor for all military-affiliated students.○ Runs office reporting.
● Military Survey Class○ First Year Survey class designated for military students.○ Learning Outcomes centered on successfully transitioning
students from the military to the classroom.
First Year Experience
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● VetSuccess On Campus (VSOC) Counselor○ Federal VA Employee (Vocational Rehabilitation and
Employment Counselor) who is stationed within OMVS and is dedicated solely to the OSU student population.
● Peer2Peer Sponsor Program○ Employ 6 military students to act as peer leaders to new
students each semester.○ Sponsor military programming and events.○ Work OMVS front desk 10 hours per week answering
student questions.
● Veteran Community Advocate Program
Student Success
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Veteran Community Advocate Program● About the Program
○ Started in 2013-2014 FY as a donor funded program.■ Partnership between Student Life and OMVS■ Students work 5-10 hours (rolling average) per week.■ 10 Advocates in 10 Offices
○ 2018- 2019 FY■ 31 Advocates in 24 Offices and Colleges
○ Benefits■ Student receives two $1000 scholarships (Autumn and Spring Term)■ Office/College receives $1000 to sponsor Military programming, events,
research, etc.■ Students receive resume experience planning events, answering inquiries,
conducting research, acting as a student leader, etc. (Sky’s the limit!)■ 2 Way Liaison Between Students and the Offices/Colleges■ Specialized In-house Knowledge■ Designated Points of Contact Around Campus
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Off-Campus & Commuter Student Services:
○ Joined VCA Program early on○ 6 Veteran Community Advocates○ Recent focus on programming to engage students in the
off-campus community/Sharing office resources
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Peer-to-Peer Interaction
○ Sean Dupiano■ Junior■ Finance Major■ Senior Airman
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Peer-to-Peer Interaction
● Reflecting on first year experience○ General transition○ Complete reset second year○ Balancing contact with many stakeholders○ Matured a lot
● Things I wish I knew○ Vets 4 Vets / VCA Program○ Military and Veterans Services Office / Lounge○ Military Email Listserv
● Acting as a peer leader
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What University Practitioners Should Know
● Resources can be overwhelming - focus on the basics● For faculty: understand student’s responsibilities with
the military● Knowing about key locations/resources to be another
point of contact
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Any Questions?
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Thank You!Let’s Stay Connected:
Joshua Clasen - Sr Veterans Benefits [email protected]
Sophie Braga de Barros - Graduate Administrative [email protected]
Dilnavaz Cama - Department [email protected]
Sean Dupiano - Veteran Community [email protected]
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Cate, C.A., Lyon, J.S., Schmeling, J., & Bogue, B.Y. (2017). National Veteran Education Success Tracker: A Report on the Academic Success of Student Veterans Using the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Retrieved from https://www.luminafoundation.org/files/resources/veteran-success-tracker.pdf
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