Military & VeteransResource Center

Ray WikstromDirector

Phone: (904) 620-2655E-mail: ray.wikstrom@unf.edu

Board of TrusteesStudent Life & Facilities

CommitteeOctober 18, 2011

Developed the Concept for an All-Purpose Military & Veterans Resource Center under the UNF’s Yesterday’s Warriors, Today’ Students, Tomorrow’s Leaders Project

Expanded the Service Capacity of the Counseling, Disability Resources and Mental Health Counseling for veterans

Developed One-Stop Shop Concept for Timely VA Support/Financial Assistance/ Military Academic Advisors

Obtained $217K in BrAIve Funds from the Community Foundation of Florida

Task Force (Phase 1 – Oct

2009) Hired Staff and Established

Partnerships

Renovated the Temporary Existing Spaces for the Center

Trained the Staff/Faculty and Opened the Doors (Orientation)

Became a Military-Friendly School (in our First Year of Operation)

Infrastructure and Execution

(Phase 2 - Aug 2010)

Enhance Student Services & Resources throughout the University’s 5 Colleges and Academic and Student Affairs

Increase Grant and Scholarship Opportunities

Engage the Business Sector to Increase Internships, Externships and Mentorships for Career Opportunities

Identify and Implement Marketing Strategies and Outreach Activities to Promote the University and the Military & Veterans Resource Center

Marketing and Expansion (Phase 3 – July 2011)

Center History Timeline

Funding Sources 2011-2012

Michael & Kim Ward (3 years/$239K)Prudential (3 years/$60K)MVRC Foundation AccountUNF Student Affairs E&G Account

Ray Wikstrom(Navy)

Director

Judith JeromeOffice Manager

Declan Duffy(Army)

VA Work Study

Scott Christopher(Navy)

VA Work Study

Rod Fulgencio(Navy)

Transition Coach

Mark Middlebrook(Army)

Student Assistant

Rose Morisseau(Navy)

Student Assistant

Whitney MeyerOffice Assistant

Staff has a combined total of over 60 years of active duty service and military experience

To Provide a Broad Range of Student Services and Resources Focused on the Special Needs of Today’s Military Veterans, Service members, and Their Families, to Enhance Their Smooth “Transition” from the Military Environment to Campus Life Leading to Academic Success, Graduation and Employment Opportunities

MVRC Mission

ServicesAcademic AdvisingTutoringStudy GroupsWorkshopsAmbassador ProgramMilitary OrientationMilitary HandbookPriority Registration 8.12*

ResourcesCounseling CenterDisability Resource centerVA Educational benefitsFinancial AidStudent Veterans of AmericaStudent GovernmentMVRC Web PagesFacebook/Twitter

Academic Success & GraduationTrained FacultyTrained StaffTrained AdvisorsScholarships Specifically for VetsSeeking Fellowships*

Employment OpportunitiesCareer ServicesVeterans Alumni Association ClubInternshipsIMPACTJaxWorkSource Florida

Resource CenterTransition CoachComputer LabCopy MachineGroup StudyPeer to Peer SupportLounge Area/TVExtended HoursSpecial Programming

Over 740 Veteran Students (GI Bill)Over 100 Active Duty Students (Tuition Assistance)Over 120 Army ROTC Cadets140 Graduates (Academic Year 2010-2011) 124 New Enrollments (Fall 2011)4,438 Visits to the Center by Veterans (Last Year)

492 Monthly Users15,132 Total Site Visits

Michael & Kim WardVeterans

Scholarship(12/$2.5K)

Hurley MeeksVeterans

Scholarship(3/$2K)

Cindy AldersonVeterans

Scholarship(3/$1K)

CorporalJoshua Watkins

MemorialScholarship

(3/$2K)

(UNF)Student Veteran

Internships (5)

Scholarships/Internships

SUMMER - Veterans College Ready Boot Camp

Veterans Textbook Vouchers - Prudential

FALL - Veterans Day Tribute – November 10, 2011

Upcoming Center Initiatives

SPRING – Hosting Military Friendly Boot Camp Consortium with SUS Schools

WE REMEMBER, WE CARE, AND WE SUPPORT