University of Evansville - The Military Family Research Institute at

UE VETS
Veterans Education Transition Support
University of Evansville
Champions
of Change
SVO Mission
Provide support and outreach to veterans,
current service members, and their families as they
transition from the military to college and beyond
to the workforce
to build relationships; to create
understanding & sensitivity among the UE
campus & tri-state area community about veteran
student issues
SVO Objectives
• Support development of
training & information to ease
the transition to college & to
the workforce
• Raise campus awareness
of veterans’ issues
• Collaborate with
community & campus
organizations
• Increase membership
• Assist UE with student
recruitment of veterans &
military affiliated students
Background
& Setting
• Private, not-for-profit, liberal arts & sciences
institution
• 2,400 students; 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio
• Over 100 areas of study, including accelerated
degree programs
Yellow Ribbon Institution of Higher Learning
Veteran Student
Enrollment Growth at UE
29
26
25
Up 383%
13
6
Spring 2009
Fall 2009
Fall 2010
Fall 2011
Fall 2012
UE VETS est. October 2009
Founding members Brian Shea, Nealson Foster,
Mike Smith and Cody Land, pictured with Maj. Gen.
(Ret) Verna Fairchild at the first annual University
of Evansville Veterans Day service, Nov. 11, 2009
Military Friendly School 2010 - 2013
MFRI Operation Diploma Grant Recipient
2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
Strategy &
Implementation
Constant:
Support veterans & advocate
for their needs
UE VETS evolves:
Study skills and writing skills
workshops
Transitions to
Professionalism interview
and dining etiquette
workshop
Accomplishments
Objective 1: Support
development of training &
information to ease the
transition to college & to the
workplace
100% increased knowledge
about veterans after Transition
from Military to College panels
100% learned professional
skills at Transitions to
Professionalism workshop
Source: post event surveys
Objective 2:
Raise campus
awareness
of veterans’ issues
Objective 3:
Collaborate
with community &
campus
organizations
Veterans Day Service
Vet Day 5K Walk, Run, Roll Road Race
Veterans
Fair
Book Discussion
The Things They
Carried
Anticipated
Accomplishments
2012-13
Indiana War
Memorial Museum
tour with UE alumnus/
Executive Director,
Brig. Gen. (Ret.)
Stewart Goodwin
University of Evansville
• Veterans Day Service
• Veterans Fair
• Transitions to
Professionalism job
search workshops
• Book and Movie
Discussions
Objective 4: Increase UE VETS membership
25
22
14
10
2009
2010
2011
2012
Objective 5:
Assist UE with student
recruitment of
veterans & military
affiliated students
Lessons Learned
• University community supports troops and
veterans
• Alumni support UE VETS
• Primary challenge is UE VETS participation
Sustainability
Financial
Sustainability
Student
Development Fund
UE VETS Fundraising
UE Office of
Veterans Affairs
Budget
Organization Sustainability
• Fall & spring welcome receptions
• Meetings with campus visitors and new student
orientation
• Monthly meetings & social gatherings
• UE VETS Executive Board leadership transition
• Office of Veterans Affairs
“I have seen firsthand
the remarkable
impact of UE
VETS…UE is indeed
a veteran-friendly
place, in large
measure due to the
efforts of UE
VETS.”
Tom Kazee
President
University of Evansville
“UE VETS work hard to
help veterans at UE
have a positive college
experience and are
doing a great job.
They inspire me.”
Jillian Smith
Senior
Society of History Scholars Club
University of Evansville
“It was great to see
veterans from our
community sharing
their stories. Everyone
came away from the
Veterans Fair more
compassionate
and
understanding.
Thank you, UE VETS!”
Cathy Pearce
OEF/OIF Case Manager
VA Health Care Center
Evansville, Indiana
“I feel so privileged to
help our student
veterans and to be able
to give back to them just
a little for all that they
have done for us.”
Debbie Kassenbrock
Director of Academic
Advising/Associate Registrar,
University of Evansville
The UE VETS are
concerned about
each vet on campus and
have teamed with my
office to provide services,
outreach & support. My
‘hat is off’ to them for their
caring and vision.
Gene Wells
Director, Center for Career
Development
University of Evansville
“Through UE VETS, I was
able to better myself and
help UE become veteran
focused. I’m proud of
the organization and
my alma mater.”
Cody Land
U.S. Air Force Veteran
UE graduate class of 2012