Advising Veterans: Challenges and

Constraints

Presenters:Donna Carey, Assistant to the DeanKevin Dean, Assessment Specialist

Desiree Drindak, Military Academic Advisor

Center for Distance LearningSaratoga, NY

NACADAMarch 13, 2009

Advising Veterans: Challenges and Constraints

• Empire State College Overview• Mentoring process • Who are today’s military students?• Empire State College Military programs

and Services• Assigning military student advisors• Tips: Advising Military Students• Questions

Empire State College

• Founded in 1971 as part of SUNY, expressly designed to meet the needs of adult learners

• Dedicated to enabling motivated adults, regardless of geography or life circumstance, to manage and master a rigorous academic program and earn a degree

• 35 statewide locations in 7 regional areas

Empire State College

• Empire State College employs 169 full-time faculty and over 1,200 part-time and adjunct faculty.

• Empire State College is one of 64 institutions that comprise the State University of New York (SUNY) system.

Empire State College• 70% of students are non-matriculated.• The largest number is students who are

enrolled in the Business, Management and Economics (BME) area of study then Community and Human Service (CHS).

• 60% of students are female• The median time to complete a

bachelors is under 3 years.

Degree programs• Offer 5 undergraduate degrees in 11 broad

areas of study, 6 graduate programs• Offer highly individualized degree

programs, various modes of study, as well as assessment of prior learning– Guided independent study– Distance learning– Study groups– Cross registration

What is CDL?• In 07-08 the Center for distance learning

generated 86,000 credits.

• The Center for Distance Learning accounts for over 38% of total undergraduate enrollments at the college.

• Last year had the greatest growth in the number of credits offered

• Highly non-traditional population• Adults• Average age (undergraduate) 35• Majority working full-time engaged in

part-time study• Majority have had some prior college

experiences/credits (transfers)

Who are the Students?

Advising Model• We offer one-on-one advising.

• Every student works with their assigned mentor to design an individualized degree plan to meet educational, career and employment needs.

• The mentor-student model keeps the individual student in mind.

Advising Model• Graduating Student Quote

“It could be compared to collecting (on an informational level) all the fruits of prior endeavors, interests, hobbies, experiences, etc., placing them all on a table and giving them form. Having created this form, with the assistance of one's mentor, enables the designing of an appropriate and exciting degree program. On a more personal level, accomplishing this review within the framework of academia, allowed me to enhance my sense of self identity. In other words, it gave me a clearer understanding of who I am.”

Military/Veteran Students

There have been two major shifts in military postsecondary education over the last few years:

1. The advent and acceptance of online learning.

2. The advent of the new G.I. bill for military/veterans

Military/Veteran Students• Adult learning theory stresses the value

of instructional approaches that respect and draw upon learners’ experiences and strengths.

• Military/Veteran students have certain strengths

Military/Veteran Students

• People who join the military are less likely to attend to college afterwards even after factoring out the self selection of joining the military. *

• Veterans are less likely to attend college than non veterans from all socio-economic backgrounds. *

RAND report by Alair MacLean

Military/Veteran Students• Institutions creating programs for the

military should include be aware that there may be cultural barriers that will have to be overcome to ensure student success.

• Do we speak Army? Over!

Military/Veteran Students• “by the time the original G.I. Bill ended in July

1956, 7.8 million World War II veterans had participated in an education or training program” (V.A.).

• The signature wound of the current conflicts is traumatic brain injury (TBI) which can cause cognitive damage. Clearly, returning veterans on some level are going to need special services and trained staffs who understand the culture from which the soldier has come as they enter into the culture of higher education.

Military Programs• Dedicated Staff• Outreach

– On-site military advisors– Preliminary reviews– Community events

• Partnerships– GoArmyEd– Navy College Distance Learning Partnership (NCPDLP)– Air University– SOC

• On-going Admissions and Registration• Semi-structured degree programs• Military credit transfer – ACE recommended credits

Military Programs• PTSD/TBI training module for Course

instructors, mentors, and staff.– Assist college employees with identification of

symptoms and how to approach students which might be experiencing behavior.

• NEW! Transitions: Career and Educational Skills for Military and Veteran Students.– Discuss education, career, and civilian transition and

resources that will assist with the transitions.

Mentor Assignments• Mentors are assigned daily for all

students after their acceptance and completion of an online orientation.

• We are continually integrating/updating information in our online orientation so that mentors can focus on academic advisement.

Mentor Assignments

• Military Program students are assigned an advisor immediately.

• Military Program students are assigned to a core group of advisors.

• Plan for continued training and support for mentors regarding working with military students.

TIPS: Advising Military Students

• Flexibility• Understanding of lifestyle• Be familiar with symptoms of PTSD/TBI• Know the process for GI Bill/TA for your

college• Alternative ways of communication• Easy access to information

Conclusion• Returning veterans are going to need

special services and trained staff who understand the culture from which the soldier has come as they enter college.

• “The military leader is influenced not by the degree but by the college culture.” Vitas.

Contact InformationDonna Carey

Assistant to the DeanDonna.carey@esc.edu

Kevin DeanAssessment SpecialistKevin.dean@esc.edu

Desiree DrindakMilitary Academic AdvisorDesiree.drindak@esc.edu