In Part 1 of this series, we covered the high number of veteran “stop-outs” within higher education, the potential causes for the phenomenon, and how one university has set the benchmark for serving student veterans to ensure future success.

At Texas A&M University, Gerald Smith and Mike Dvoracek have taken on the challenge of improving student retention in the veteran population. With the programs enacted and their individual engagement, the university has shattered the national average for graduation rates for all students as well as the retention of student veterans. These statistics require serious dedication to the veterans who have served or continue to serve, providing programs and resources that help ensure the successful completion of their desired degree programs.

Texas A&M University’s Office of Veteran Services focuses on engagement and the deliberate linkage from application to vocation. Gerald Smith, the director of the Office of Veteran Services, indicated that this is key, and continued contact with student veterans is essential to ensure they remain enrolled in pursuit of their overall goals. Smith's department starts strong by engaging with over 90% of undergraduate students through their orientation program. The early face-to-face contact can set the groundwork for continual relationship building and mentoring throughout the student's academic career. Monitoring is another way to track progress, enabling early identification of those who may be considering "stop-out" or withdrawal. Additionally, Smith's department has assigned counselors qualified to address and assist veterans experiencing any mental health issue, such as PTSD, that may hinder their ability to remain engaged in their academic programs. Mike Dvoracek, veteran academic coach, helps assess academic matters so veterans can overcome the challenges of the learning environment. These initiatives are essential to the successful retention of veteran students, as shown in the university's statistics, and should be used as a benchmark for other universities and colleges that wish to improve the retention of student veterans.

In addition to the engagement of the veteran-specific departments at Texas A&M University, the institution itself has developed critical programs to assist and serve the community that has served this country. The Don & Ellie Knauss Veteran Resource & Support Center Program was established in 2012 and boasts the four pillars of academic fitness to create proactive, inclusive, strengths, and evidence-based results. The Texas A&M Veteran Support Model takes a holistic view by focusing on academic and financial well-being and career success. This holistic view is supported by the process that highlights proactive approaches beginning with orientation, continuing with connection and engagement, and culminating in the graduation of student veterans.

The complete guide for the Veteran Resource & Support Center Programs can be found here. There are over 11 core and key programs, including more than 25 program components such as new student engagement, vet camp, VA work study, troops to college, faculty, staff and advisor support, veterans recognition, vet coaching, women veterans, and more. These programs encompass outreach, work-study, scholarships, focus groups, and support services for veterans on and off campus. With this broad reach of services, every student veteran is covered, and no one will be on campus unsure of where to go for assistance, which is likely to happen at universities without widespread support systems in place.

Before we ended our interview, I asked Smith, "what do other universities need to do to replicate your success with veteran retention?" His advice was to advocate for more connectivity through university offices. He unwaveringly insisted that their success was due to all offices being on board, including faculty, advisors, financial offices, registrars, medical agencies, etc. He emphasized that it is essential to create a broad campus network like Texas A&M University’s “Troops to College” committee, which has more than 60 member offices across the entire campus. With this many members from various university departments, the likelihood of veteran program knowledge and understanding is significantly increased throughout the college. Therefore, any student veteran can get proper direction and assistance regardless of where, or to who, they present a problem or need.

As a veteran educator, sometimes I wonder who student veterans go to for answers, which is why my veteran status is the first thing I present during my classes. But I am only one person, with only a small number of students overall. So, who are the many others turning to? Do they try to figure it out on their own? Do they give up? Do they disenroll? This is on my mind and should concern all employees within any higher education institution that recruits and advocates for veteran enrollment. Processing the GI Bill® or helping with registration is only the start of what veterans need. They need to feel valued and supported by the entire university community, not only those who have a veteran office title on their doors. Universities that genuinely want to serve the student veteran community can take a page from the book at Texas A&M University, which aim to do more than enroll student veterans. Their premise is to enroll, support, motivate, coach, mentor, and prepare their veterans for academic success, culminating in achieving long-desired goals and aspirations…cap and gown tossing, and long-awaited career attainment.

Article Topics

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

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