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Understanding the Needs of Veterans in the Classroom

Understanding the Needs of Veterans in the Classroom. Dichondra R. Johnson, Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, Education Analyst. Fall 2016. Mission. Session Objectives. Military culture and adjustment issues from military to classroom Identify health issues

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Understanding the Needs of Veterans in the Classroom

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  1. Understanding the Needs of Veterans in the Classroom Dichondra R. Johnson, Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, Education Analyst Fall 2016

  2. Mission

  3. Session Objectives • Military culture and adjustment issues from military to classroom • Identify health issues • Provide resources and suggestions

  4. Who are today’s student veterans?

  5. Education Attainment

  6. MI Higher Education Trends

  7. What Are Common Adjustment Experiences? • Administration of GI Bill benefits • Academic engagement • Social relationships • Military transfer of credit

  8. Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chap 33)

  9. Negotiating Government Issued (GI) Educational Benefits • GI Bill payment/student account issues • Enrollment and dropped classes • Struggles supporting self and family while in school

  10. Veteran Academic Performance • Mixed concerns about academic success and spends more time: • Preparing for classes • Talking w/ instructors outside of class • Less likely to participate in experiential learning • As likely to graduate as civilian students

  11. Veteran Admin, Faculty, and Student Engagement • Higher rate of positive faculty relationships • Lower rate of positive student relationships • Sense of belonging with administrative personnel

  12. Comparing Veterans to other Non-traditional Students 25 and older Similarities: • Unlikely to be engaged in non-coursework activities • Over-investment in time preparing for class • Less likely to work with peers outside of class

  13. Military Occupational Categories Nearly 75% of military employment is concentrated in six military occupational categories: • Health Care • Engineering, Science and Technical • Combat Specialty • Electronic and Electrical Equipment • Repair Transportation • Vehicle and Machinery Mechanic

  14. Military Transcripts • Air Force – Community College of the Air Force • Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard – JST – Joint Services Transcript

  15. Issues Transferring Military Credits • Even with ACE guidelines, credit transfer difficulties • Average number of transfer credits: 18

  16. Student Veterans and Disabilities • Musculoskeletal problems • Hearing problems

  17. Invisible Wounds of War • Post-traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI) • Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) • Depression • Anxiety

  18. What is PTSI? • Did you know? Most people who have experienced a traumatic event do NOT develop a mental disorder.

  19. PTSI in Student Veterans In the classroom, or on campus, PTSI symptoms may be observable in some of the following ways: • Re-experiencing • Avoidance • Negative Thoughts and Feelings • Alterations in Arousal

  20. Where do I go for help? • The Veteran’s Office and/or the Michigan Veteran Education Initiative (MVEI) Veteran Resource Representative on your campus is a great resource for assistance. • MVEI Participating schools : Baker College-Flint, Eastern Michigan University, Ferris State University, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids Community College, Jackson College, Lansing Community College, MIAT College of Technology, Michigan State University, Mid-Michigan Community College, North Central Michigan College and Northern Michigan University.

  21. Making a Referral for Supportive Services Offer the veteran options for support: • Academic Support • Counseling • Refer to VA and/or Campus Veteran Office • Disability Resource Center • Crisis Team for emergencies

  22. Making a Referral to Counseling • What should I do to prepare to talk to a student? • When should I approach a student? • How should I talk to student Veterans? What should I say?

  23. Other Veteran Resources Both the Michigan Veteran Resource Service Center (1-800-MICH-VET) and michiganveterans.com are available 24 hours a day and are a great resource for veterans and partners.

  24. Other Veteran Resources- Mental Health Screening Tool

  25. Veteran Classroom Adjustment Issues • Distraction • Provocative Content • Sitting Quietly • Sleepiness • Unstructured Setting

  26. Veteran Classroom Adjustment Tips • Vet-friendly syllabus • Keep open lines of communication • Accommodate VA and Reserve Duty commitments • Accommodate seating adjustments • Implement universal design of courses • Avoid expressing personal war sentiments

  27. Improving the Teaching/Learning Environment • Concentration/Memory • Test-taking • Alleviate Panic Attacks/Stress

  28. Student Veterans’ Assets • Emotionally mature • Goal-oriented and mission-driven • Developed communication skills • Team-oriented leaders • Diverse, global thinkers • Opportunities for creative learning experiences

  29. References • Accommodating Student Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Tips for Campus Faculty and Staff. American Council on Education: http://www.acenet.edu/news-room/Documents/Accommodating-Student-Veterans-with-Traumatic-Brain-Injury-and-Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder.pdf • American Council on Education: http://www.acenet.edu/higher-education/Pages/Military-Students-and-Veterans.aspx* • Cole, J and Kim, Y., Student Veterans/Service Members’ Engagement in College and University Life and Education. December 2013: https://www.acenet.edu/news-room/Documents/Student-Veterans-Service-Members-Engagement.pdf • Doe, S. The Uneasy Civilian: On Campus with Faculty and Student Vets. Voices. Colorado State University. May 2013: http://vets.syr.edu/the-uneasy-civilian-on-campus-with-faculty-and-student-vets/ • Lighthall, A. , Ten Things You Should Know about Today’s Student Veteran, NEA Higher Education Journal: http://www.nea.org/home/53407.htm • National Center for Veterans analysis and statistics (2011): http://www.va.gov/vetdata/ • Student Veterans in the College Composition Classroom: Realizing Their Strengths and Assessing Their Needs. Conference on College Composition and Communication. March 2015: http://www.ncte.org/cccc/resources/positions/student-veterans • Toolkit for Veteran Friendly Institutions. American Council on Education: https://vetfriendlytoolkit.acenet.edu/academic-services/Pages/Opening-Lines-of-Communication.aspx • 22 Things You Should Know about Teaching & Advising Student Veterans, Maryland Veterans Resilience Initiative, University of Maryland School of Public Health, Spring 2014: http://www.sjsu.edu/veterans/resources/teaching-veterans/ • What Are Common Adjustment Experiences? VA Campus Toolkit: http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/studentveteran/adjustment.asp#three • Who Are Today's Student Veterans? VA Campus Toolkit: http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/studentveteran/studentvets.asp#sthash.8r6CpYn5.DRfcU0bc.dpbs

  30. Contact Dichondra Johnson, johnsond5@michigan.gov 1-800-MICH-VET (800-642-4838) MichiganVeterans.com @MIVeteran/MIVeterans

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