The growing population of women veterans in higher education calls attention to their unique needs and challenges on college and university campuses. It is crucial for individuals serving this student population to understand the rare strengths these students bring to higher education institutions. When I started my doctoral program, I knew I wanted to research women student veteran experiences in higher education; however, I needed to prepare for what little information I would find on this student population. Given the recent increase in women student veterans on college and university campuses, I investigated the available support systems for these unique learners. Through my doctoral research, I found that women student veterans possess a high level of grit and self-efficacy due to their military service, bringing invaluable strengths to college and university campuses. As such, if you serve in roles supporting women student veterans, please read and consider the following suggestions gleaned from my research on this growing population.

Engage in Professional Development Opportunities that Focus on Student Veteran Culture

One of the most important aspects of supporting women student veterans on college and university campuses is understanding and differentiating between the cultural challenges of non-traditional learners and student veterans. Compared to their non-traditional equivalents, women student veterans may encounter some of the same situational and social barriers in higher education, such as childcare issues, balancing work and school, and mental health challenges. However, specific experiences within the military create fundamental challenges for women student veterans, and support professionals need to understand the differing transitional, social, and situational barriers of women student veterans compared to their non-traditional equivalents. Support professionals must discover the wide range of professional development opportunities tailored to meet the unique needs of student veterans and their culture and gain invaluable insights and strategies to help better support and engage with this student population. To start, evaluating your institution's current support efforts for these learners is vital in providing exemplary support to this student population. Subsequently, taking ownership of your growth and knowledge of student veteran culture will enhance your students' experiences. Of the many resources available, there is “VITAL,” The Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership, located on the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs website, which is especially helpful. This program offers services for administrators, faculty, and staff supporting student veterans on their campuses. It includes resources for training and presentations, consultation on veteran-specific needs, and much more. Take a deep dive into the manyresources available that help aid your quest to provide exemplary support to this student population.

Provide Personalized Support to Women Student Veterans

It is no secret that supportive student-teacher relationships promote academic success and enhance the student experience, but have you considered providing personalized support to women student veterans to have the same effect? In my doctoral research, a common theme surfaced: women student veterans expressed favorable experiences when academic and administrative personnel prioritized providing personalized and culturally competent support. So, what does this look like for you? First, as described above, it means taking ownership of your understanding and knowledge of student veteran culture. Second, it means going back to the basics and getting to know your student veteran learner; asking about their goals, ambitions, and situational or transitional challenges; engaging and being an active participant in their learning and understanding their eagerness to succeed; and providing individualized academic roadmaps that paint a picture of their educational plan. Research also recommended that services providing support through administrative means emphasize timeliness and military service awareness while serving this student population. 

Leveraging the Strengths of Women Student Veterans

Women student veterans possess high grit and self-efficacy due to their military service, bringing invaluable strengths to college and university campuses. As such, support professionals need to leverage these strengths to enhance the student experience. This student population is eager to succeed; women student veterans complete four-year degrees at a higher rate than their non-veteran equivalents. This student population also holds a broader worldview, a larger sense of connection with others, and a sense of discipline compared to their traditional counterparts. So, what does leveraging women student veteran strengths look like when providing support to these unique learners? The most important aspect to understand is that this student population brings a skill set to higher education that is unlike the traditional learner. Their diverse experiences in the military require an institution that encourages its student veterans to share their experiences and take on leadership roles in the classroom and community.

It is vital for individuals serving this student population to understand the rare strengths these students bring to higher education institutions. To provide exemplary support to unique learners like women student veterans, it is crucial to engage in professional development opportunities that focus on their culture, provide personalized support, and harness their strengths. By doing so, you can ensure that you are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide the best possible support to these individuals.

Article Topics

Military Friendly Institutions Research on Student Veterans Serving Military in HigherEd Veterans Academic Success Women Veterans Workplace Inclusion

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