It has become increasingly common for higher education institutions to recruit specific populations in their attempts to increase both enrollment and campus diversity. This is certainly the case for the veteran population. Since the inception of the Post 9/11 GI Bill®, colleges and universities across the country have been working to attract student veterans. While it is encouraging to see schools realize the ways in which veterans can enrich their campus community, it is vital that they consider the experience they are promising students. Further, they need to ensure that once students are enrolled they can deliver on that promise.

The Student Veteran
When veterans are considering their college options, they are often skeptical buyers. This is for good reason. They have worked extremely hard to earn quality, yet finite education benefits, and want to maximize the value they are gaining from their education. While most seek a higher education institution with quality academic or professional programs, they often gravitate to somewhere that they will be supported as they enter the world of non-traditional higher education. With this in mind, institutions that tell veterans they will be supported and welcomed need to assess whether they have the resources in place to make that a reality. Until this is determined and there is total confidence that the educational experience will align with front-end commitments, students from this group -- or any other defined group for that matter -- should not be specifically targeted for recruitment.

The full life cycle of the college experience spans from initial recruitment of the veteran to graduation. It is critical that schools or programs that actively recruit veteran students are prepared to offer support throughout this life cycle. Each veteran is different, and may have unique needs that institutions will need to navigate throughout the course of their academic career.

One critical phase of this life cycle is admissions. When veteran students look at a school, the information and interactions they have with the admission staff are a reflection of the institution itself. That's to say, it should be a preview into what they will encounter once they are students. Any misrepresentation, or perceived deception, would be a quick way to gain a negative reputation among the veteran community. Admissions representatives need to be honest regarding their academic, and support, products and follow up on commitments and student concerns.

Once a student veteran does commit to attending a school or program, it is crucial that this support and interest from the institution continues. The tough reality is that along the way there are countless challenges and factors that could -- and often do -- derail veterans academically and cause them to drop out of school. In many instances, this does not have to be the case. There are situations that are avoidable if proactively addressed.

While a 100 percent retention rate is not realistic, schools can greatly increase the number of veteran graduates by adopting one vital staff position.

The Answer
If schools decide to specifically recruit veterans, then they also need to invest in supporting them. One area of necessary investment is staffing. A veteran resource coordinator is a key position for any college that wants to optimize the support for their student veterans. The person in this position does not necessarily need to be a veteran, but needs to be reliable, dedicated, and willing to gain knowledge about veterans and higher education.

Ideally, the person in this position solely works with veteran and military-connected students. In other words, their time, energy, and attention are fully dedicated to assisting this group. Additionally, it is important to note that this person should be involved with students throughout all stages of their college experience. They can execute recruitment and community outreach for the military population of prospective students and help with the enrollment process. Additionally, they should then provide comprehensive support for students once they start classes at the institution. This allows the coordinator to form an immediate connection with prospective students and then support them until their graduation. When there is a veteran resource coordinator on staff, students always know they have a clear point of contact if they need anything. It is the job of the veteran resource coordinator to serve as both an advocate and facilitator for students. They are there to provide a personalized approach and help remove barriers to success based on the unique scenario of each student. The coordinator does not have to be an expert in every service a veteran may need but should have a firm grasp of the various resource providers and offices on campus. That way they can assist students in any situation and work alongside them each step of the way.

The supportive relationship that a veteran resource coordinator can form and maintain with students has a substantial impact. Veterans are used to teamwork. With the presence of a trusted staff member they know they will never have to overcome obstacles alone.

Conclusion
College is an exciting time for student veterans but can often be a challenging journey for various reasons. Still, basic interventions and sincere support can lead to significant, positive results for students. Most students are ready and eager to put in the effort to get their degree. We simply have to do our part to help get them there. The hiring of a quality veteran resource coordinator can greatly help in fulfilling that goal.

Article Topics

Military Friendly Institutions Serving Military in HigherEd Veterans Academic Success Working as a Veteran in HigherEd Workplace Inclusion

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