Military & Veterans Programs

Division of Institutional Diversity, Equity, & Community Engagement

Prepared /Presented by:

Debra Crosby, M.A., Assistant Director

Bernice Flett, Unit Coordinator

Jeremy Sedeno, M.Ed., Unit Coordinator

Eric Washington, Unit Coordinator

Overview

Overview of Military & Veterans Programs

Overview - 5 Full-Time - MVP Staff

Debra Crosby, M.A., Assistant Director: Navy Dependent

Bernice Flett, Unit Coordinator: Air Force Dependent

Jeremy Sedeno, M.Ed., Unit Coordinator: Army Veteran

Eric Washington, Unit Coordinator: Marine Veteran

Jesse Jalomo, Interim Director: Marine Veteran

Overview - Student MVP Staff

VA Work Study Positions: 7 Veterans & 3 Dependents

Daniel Ayala

Sherie Yoon

Keynan Long

Luke Stone

Jason Esler

Nicolas Morton

Andrew Ortiz

Zachary Medley

Joshua Adrian

Bridget Morgan

Overview: Mission & Vision

MissionMilitary & Veterans Programs is here to assist veterans and their families in achieving academic and personal success.

VisionOur vision is to be the university of choice for military personnel, veterans, and their families. Military & Veterans programs will assist the students it serves in a seamless transition from military to civilian life, support and encourage campus and community engagement, and help provide a positive experience through degree completion and on to a successful future.

Overview: Values

Motivation: We want to provide an encouraging environment that is focused on your success.

Value: We appreciate your service and understand the diversity of thought and experience you bring to the university.

Performance: We will connect you to campus and community resources enhancing your overall college experience in order to provide a greater chance of successful academic achievement and degree completion.

MVP embraces the following values:

Eric Abbe Graduated in December 2012 while

stationed in Afghanistan.

MVP Responsibilities

Assist all students applying for Federal or State Veterans Educational Assistance.

Certify enrollment/changes/termination in enrollment for federal benefits.

Verify degree plans for compliance with VA and TVC policies.• Students must have degree plans on file in the MVP

Department on campus from entry into a VA Educational Program because VA only pays for classes which apply to the current DP.

Prepare TTU Compliance Materials for submission to VA.• The VA must approve Texas Tech to train veterans on a

yearly basis. Send Federal/State reports as required. Refer students to appropriate campus resources. Refer students to appropriate off-campus resources. Network with campus and community for resources. Offer celebratory events for veterans & families. Outreach and recruiting.

Overview: MVP Student Enrollment

Veteran and Dependent Enrollment Fall 07- Fall 14

Fall 07 Spr 08 Fall 08 Spr 09 Fall 09 Spr 10 Fall 10 Spr 11 Fall 11 Spr 12 Fall 12 Spr 13 Fall 13 Spr 14 Fall 14

Federal

334 318 326 300 483 487 689 638 776 719 829 749 783 811 887

State

115 109 115 110 160 210 394 453 736 737 974 933 1111 1070 1280

100

300

500

700

900

1100

1300

334 318 326 300

483 487

689638

776719

829749 783 811

887

115 109 115 110160

210

394453

736 737

974 933

1111 1070

1280

MVP Enrollment

Federal State

Programs & Services

MVP Programs & Services

Recognition & Participation

Veteran Friendly Veteran Supportive

1st Purple Heart Univ. in Texas

TTU Green Zone Program

What is it?Advocate training for advisors, staff, and faculty designed to help campus staff:

Understand difficulties that service members may face in transition from the service to campus.

Know where to direct student veterans for additional support both on/off campus.Training Phases

I. Initial Green Zone Training

II. Understanding Benefits

III. Mental HealthIV. Disability Support

ServicesV. Advising Veterans

Look for these stickers around

campus!

Types of Programs at TTU

Federal VA Programs of Education• Audited yearly by the State’s Approving

Agency: The Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) and the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA).

• VA Work Study possibilities within Lubbock and on campus.

State Exemptions• Hazlewood Act: Regulated through TVC• Combat Exemption: Regulated through

THECB.

DOD Department of Defense Programs

• Tuition Assistance Program.• ROTC: Army & Air Force

Federal Benefit Chapters

Federal VA Programs of Education are divided into ‘CHAPTERS each with their own rules, laws, regulations

• Post 9/11 GI Bill-Chapter 33

• Only benefit with possibility of transfer of entitlement to spouse or dependent

• MGIB: Montgomery GI BILL-Chapter 30

• MGIB: SR-Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve-Chapter 1606

• REAP: Chapter 1607

• DEA: Dependents Educational Assistance-Chapter 35

• VR&E: Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment-Chapter 31

TTU Federal Responsibilities

All institutions must do the following:

• Have a designated VA Certifying Official on campus.

• Keep VA informed of the enrollment status or changes for students using federal benefits.

• Keep up-to-date on current rules, regulations, laws.

• Maintain records of all VA students including degree plans for auditing & inspection.

• Submit compliance materials to VA yearly for approval.

State Hazlewood Act

State Exemptions: Hazlewood Act- Governed by state law, rules and regulations. Laws differ for each program. No money is exchanged.

There are 3 ways to use Hazlewood:

• Texas Veteran

• Legacy-Qualifying Texas Veteran transfers unused benefit to qualifying dependent

• Dependent or Spouse of a Texas Veteran who is rated 100% disabled for the purpose of employability, Missing in Action, MIA, or Killed in action, or Death related to service.

TTU State Responsibilities

All institutions must do the following:

• Keep up-to-date on current rules, regulations, laws.

• Maintain records for all students using Hazlewood benefits.

• Send a Hazlewood report to the state tri-annually.

Why should a Veteran or Family Member Choose Tech?

Department dedicated solely to assist Veterans and their Family Members:

Military & Veterans Programs, Drane Hall, Room 147

Veteran Liaisons in each academic and support office

Recognition upon Graduation at the Veterans Stole and Family Member Recognition Ceremony

Supporting Events for Veterans and Family Members

Stars and Stripes Veteran and Family Member Lounge

Student Organizations: VATT, Military Law Association

Faculty & Staff Veterans Association (over 250 Veterans or Service Members work at

TTU)

Veteran supportive campus and community

Misperceptions

Common Misperceptions of Hiring Veterans

Common Misperceptions

Veterans are trained to follow orders and not to think• “Adapt and Overcome”• What do normal orders look like• What is the reality

Common Misperceptions

PTSD• Levels• Manifestations• Causes• Treatment

Common Misperceptions

Aggressive or Combative Personalities• All the same• All combat veterans• Diversity of careers in the military

Hiring Benefits

Benefits of Hiring Veterans

One of America’s Greatest Untapped Human Resources

Veterans:

• Emotionally mature, goal-oriented, mission-driven leaders.

• Work tirelessly to achieve their objectives and look for ways to make meaningful decisions.

• Self-sufficient

• Not only understand the concept of sacrifice for the greater good, they have lived it.

• Respectful and protective of those around them.

• Think globally.

• Bypass most things trivial or trendy.

The kind of role models we need on campus and who you need to hire!

Handly, Lighthall, 2012, p.88

Translation of Strengths

Military Strength → Civilian Match

Camaraderie Friendship and Teamwork

Tactical Alertness Peripheral Mental Vision

Armed for Combat Creation of Safe Environments

Pressure Calm, Cool, Collected Person

Disciplined & Commanding First Impressions are not Easily Presence

Forgotten

Cantrell & Dean, 2007

Onboarding Strategies

Strategies for Onboarding Veterans into New Jobs

Strategies for Onboarding Veterans into New Jobs

Onboarding focuses on recruiting, retaining and integrating veterans into their new career. A successful onboarding plan builds a cohesive team and affects employee job satisfaction.

Strategies:

Start with a support plan which includes:

• A strong welcome by a selected onsite sponsor who will assist with the first 30 days of employment.

• Begin each new task with clear direction and support.

• Check in meetings with supervisor: weekly, biweekly, and 90 day. This will build teamwork, and demonstrate the need to meet expectations.

• Benchmark at 120 days to review goals and accomplishments.

• Performance evaluation at the end of the year.

Strategies for Onboarding Veterans into New Jobs

Resources and Tools:

Veteran Employment Leading Practices by Syracuse University. http://toolkit.vets.syr.edu/hr-processes/onboarding/

VA for Vets by U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs http://vaforvets.va.gov/docs/Onboarding_SupervisorGuide.pdf

Resources

Resources for Learning

Resources for Further Study

Armstrong, K., Best, S., and Domenici, P. (2006). Courage after Fire: Coping Strategies for Troops Returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and Their Families. Ulysses Press: Berkeley, CA.

Cantrell, B.C., Dean, C. (2007). Once a Warrior: Wired for Life. Wordsmith, Seattle, WA.

Cook, B.J., & Kim, Y. (2009). From Soldier to Student: Easing the Transition of Service Members on Campus. American Council on Education: Washington, D.C.

DiRamio, D., & Jarvis, K. (2011). Veterans in Higher Education: When Johnny and Jane Come Marching to Campus. ASHE Higher Education Report, Vol 37, No. 3.

Glantz, A. (2007). The soldier and student. The Nation. Retrieved September 23, 2009 from http://www.thenation.com/doc/20071210/glantz/print.

Horn, L.J. (1996). Nontraditional Undergraduates: Trends in Enrollment from 1986 to 1992. National Center for Educational Statistics, Wahington, D.C.

Lang, W.A., & Powers, J.T. (2011). Completing the Mission: A Pilot Study of Veteran Students’ Progress Toward Degree Attainment in the Post 9/11 Era. Tempe, AZ: Pat Tillman Foundation.

Metzner, B.S., & Bean, J.P. (1987). The estimation of a conceptual model of nontraditional undergraduate student attrition. Research in Higher Education. Vol. 27, No. 1.

Olson, K.W. (1974). The G.I. Bill, the Veterans, and the Colleges. Lexington, KY: The University of Kentucky Press.

Rumann, C.B., & Hamrick, F.A. (2009). Supporting Student Veterans in Transition. In Ackerman, R., & DiRamio, D. (Eds.). Creating a Veteran-Friendly Campus: Strategies for Transition and Success (New Directions for Student Services, Vol. 126, 25-34. Jossey Bass: San Francisco, CA.

Strawn, P., Draper, A., & Rothenberg, L. (2009). From Military Service to Student Life: Strategies for Supporting Student Veterans on Campus. The Advisory Board Company: Washington, D.C.

Sun, F. (April 2014). When Vets Come Home: 5 Things You Should Say (and 5 Things You Shouldn’t). http://www.nationswell.com/vets-come-home-5-things-say-5-things-shouldnt/

Weinstock, M. (2010). Military families and deployment. Retrieved July 19, 2011 from http://deploymentpsych.org/topics-disorders/military-families-and-deployment.

Wilkinson, G.E. (1949). Orientation interviews for veterans. The Journal of Higher Education, 20 (9), 469-472.

Wright, A. (2009). Post 9/11 G.I. Bill applicants wait for colleges to certify enrollment. The Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved September 22, 2009 from http://chronicle.com/article/Post-9-11-GI-Bill-Applicant/48159/.

How to Connect with MVP

Contact Us:• In Person: Drane Hall, 15th & University Avenue,

Room 147• Email: mvp@ttu.edu Phone:

806.742.6877 Visit us Online at: www.mvp.ttu.edu

• Links to MVP Forms• Resources: Campus, Community, State, Federal• Donate to the MVP Scholarship Fund

Connect with us on Social Media• Facebook• Twitter • YouTube

Questions

Reference Page

Cantrell, B.C., Dean, C. (2007). Once a Warrior: Wired for Life. Wordsmith, Seattle, WA .

Croft, H. (2012). Dispelling Veteran Recruitment Myths with Dr. Harry Croft . https://www.recruiter.com/i/dispelling-veteran-recruitment-myths-with-dr-harry-croft/

Handley (2013) Student Veterans are one of America’s Greatest Untapped Human Resources. Rally Point. https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/student-veterans-are-one-of-america-s-greatest-untapped-human-resources

Texas Veterans Commission website: http://www.tvc.texas.gov/Hazlewood-Act.aspx

VA for Vets by U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs http://vaforvets.va.gov/docs/Onboarding_SupervisorGuide.pdf

VA Website: http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/

Veteran Employment Leading Practices by Syracuse University. http://toolkit.vets.syr.edu/hr-processes/onboarding/

https://www.recruiter.com/i/dispelling-veteran-recruitment-myths-with-dr-harry-croft/