Penn State Mont Alto SVA - Student Veterans of America State Mont Alto...Penn State Mont Alto SVA 3...

Penn State Mont Alto SVA

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Executive Summary

The Penn State Mont Alto Student Veterans Association is a student organization on an idyllic,

103 acre tree-lined campus in Central Pennsylvania. Student veterans of all ages and

backgrounds are challenged at Penn State Mont Alto to be prepared to live and work anywhere

in the world. We want all Penn State Mont Alto graduates to have the skills and knowledge they

need to thrive in their careers.

Student veterans are welcomed into our extended family of camaraderie amongst a strong

network of campus and community leaders. Our focus is to advocate and provide our student

veterans with the resources they need in order to achieve their academic and career goals. This

business plan will detail four main goals along with short and long-term objectives and

strategies our student veteran organization has established in order for us to better serve our

nations heroes at Penn State Mont Alto: Serve as a collective voice for student veterans on

campus, Maintain and increase active membership of the Penn State Mont Alto SVA, Enhance

the college experience for student veterans and set them up for future success, Encourage the

implementation and/or enhancement of resources, programs, and policies to support the

student veteran population across the Penn State University system.

At Penn State Mont Alto you will get a top-tier education, with its reputation for excellence, as

well as the benefits of a small, nurturing campus dedicated to serving its student veterans.


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Mission Statement

To provide military veterans and their families with the advocacy and resources to support their

successful transition into the university and through graduation

Vision Statement

At Penn State Mont Alto, our fundamental values are to provide a world-class education,

opportunities, and experiences for our student veterans. Aligning with campus and university

initiatives, our vision is to collaborate with key stakeholders to create a preeminent veteran

friendly institution by:

Creating programs that support a personal and welcoming transition from military to

campus life

Promoting an extended family atmosphere of camaraderie amongst all veterans

Educating the campus and local community on student veteran challenges

Providing the tools necessary to achieve their academic and career goals through

graduation and into new and rewarding careers.

Background

In May 1903, Penn State Mont Alto was founded as the Pennsylvania State Forestry Academy.

Over 100 years later, the Forestry Academy, now Penn State Mont Alto has a strong tradition of

educating student veterans. Just after WWII, the majority of students on campus were

veterans. Since that time, Penn State Mont Alto has excelled in supporting, serving, and

educating our nation’s heroes.

The Penn State Mont Alto Student Veterans of America chapter was founded in 2011. Since the

chapters founding, we have made tremendous strides in honoring and supporting our student

veterans. Currently, 6% of the student population is comprised of veteran students. The

campus culture at Penn State Mont Alto is very welcoming, comfortable, and our student

veterans enjoy the extended family atmosphere. The extended family atmosphere is the

backbone of our chapter. The key to all of our successes lies within the strong and dedicated

collaborative network of campus leadership, faculty/staff, alumni, and community members

who are intimately involved in supporting, mentoring, and empowering our veteran students.

Our chapter members have gained prominence on campus as true leaders. We have members

in Student Government, Peer Tutors, numerous student groups, athletics, and leaders of the


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world’s largest student run philanthropy Penn State Dance Marathon where last year they

raised over $12.3 million for the fight against pediatric cancer. We have created a strategic

business plan built on our motto of “Success with Honor” and the foundations of the MFRI SVO

Manual: Success in 3D and American Council on Education (ACE) Veteran Friendly Toolkit.

Campus Culture

As mentioned, the Penn State Mont Alto culture is focused on an extended family atmosphere

of camaraderie and togetherness. The campus is very in tuned with identifying and addressing

the needs and expectations of our student veterans. Currently, the total student population is

approximately 1100 and 45 of which are student veterans. The majority of our veteran

students are classified as commuter students and only a very small percentage are residential.

All current student veterans are welcomed as chapters members and upon graduation have the

opportunity to join the over 500,000 member Penn State Alumni Association. Penn State Mont

Alto has identified the following needs and expectations of our student veterans based on our

semi-annual survey of current and former veteran students:

Social support and a sense of fitting in

Introductory courses in Math, English, Writing

Flexible class schedules

Academic and career counseling

Financial needs

Campus leadership and our student veteran chapter have formed a positive and successful

partnership in addressing these needs and expectations. As a demonstration of Penn State

Mont Alto’s commitment to student veterans, our chancellor Dr. Francis A. Achampong has

signed a pledge to join the Education Pillar of the Got Your 6 campaign by implementing and

enhancing resources, programs, and policies to support our veteran population.

http://www.ma.psu.edu/StudentServices/Veterans/vets.htm


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Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT) Analysis

Strengths

Great collaborative environment with student veterans, campus, and local community

Dedicated student veteran peer support network

Student Veterans awareness on campus

Student Veteran dedication to each other, the university, and community

Weaknesses

Active involvement

Communication amongst other PSU SVOs

Opportunities

Collaborative partnerships with all PSU SVOs

Additional corporate outreach partners

Establishing annual student veteran social event

Additional community service project partners

Threats

Reduced student veteran population

Reduced funding

Approval of chapter initiatives through main campus

Leadership transition


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Strategy Implementation

We have identified 4 main strategic goals for our organization, short-term (1 year or less) and

ongoing (1 year or more) objectives, and our strategies by which we will accomplish them.

1. Serve as a collective voice for student veterans on campus

Short-Term Objectives:

1A: Create a semi-annual survey at the end of fall and spring semesters for members to

express strengths and weaknesses within veteran services at Penn State Mont Alto

Strategy i: Identify office of primary responsibility (OPR) for the development and

administration of the survey

Strategy ii: Monitor/evaluate results of the survey and revise programs/services

accordingly

1B: Engage all faculty/staff on the dynamic characteristics of student veterans at Mont Alto

Professional Development Days in 2014 prior to spring and fall semesters and during 2014

monthly Faculty Senate Meetings

Strategy i: Collaborate with University, faculty/staff, and non-profits such as SVA,

Institute for Veterans Military Families, and Vet Advisor to offer assistance on how to recruit,

train, and interface with veterans and service members

Strategy ii: Write an annual letter to the President of Penn State University and

Chancellor of Penn State Mont Alto based on survey findings with the inclusion of

accomplishments, real world applicable solutions to short comings and enhancement strategies

for successful best practices


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1C: Create a Lion Listeners program by Feb 2014 on campus to serve as open door policy

mentors to student veterans. Program will be monitored by PSU Mont Alto Veterans Services

Coordinator (Note: Lion Listener program is explained in detail on page 14 under Program

Descriptions)

Strategy i: Partner with non-profit organization, Vet Advisor, to offer professional

development training on dynamic characteristics of student veterans to Penn State Mont Alto

leadership, faculty, and staff

Strategy ii: Create list of leadership, faculty, and staff to serve as Lion Listener

mentors and distribute to all student veterans.

1D: Engage a minimum of 2 other student groups in 2014 to increase veteran footprint and

visibility around campus

Strategy i: Schedule to attend meetings of at least 2 other student organizations to

discuss an opportunity to work together

Strategy ii: Incorporate other student organizations in our community service,

social, and other activities

Ongoing Objective:

1E: Serve as the focal point for veterans advocacy on campus and university-wide

Strategy i: In utilizing our other objectives such as the semi-annual survey, monitor

what the needs and expectations are for our student veterans

Strategy ii: Collaborate with National SVA, other PSU SVA Chapters, Penn State Sub-

Committee on Veteran Services, and other advocacy groups to determine and implement the

best strategies to accomplish our goals at the school, regional, state, and national level


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2. Maintain and increase active membership of Penn State Mont

Alto SVA


2A: Maintain current active membership level of 8 out of 45 eligible and increase active

membership level by 10% of total eligible in 2014

Strategy i: In collaboration with the Veteran Services Coordinator, develop veteran

specific orientation along with welcome luncheon prior to the start of the fall semester to

engage with new and incoming student veterans, provide hands-on information regarding

university policies and procedures, university programs and services for student veterans, invite

local Veterans Affairs representative to discuss benefits, and invite local veteran supportive

non-profit organizations

Strategy ii: Schedule recruitment booths on campus during first two weeks of the

semester, prior to Veterans Day activities, and other highly attended campus events or

programs

Strategy iii: Monthly social events for all student veterans and their families to

attend

2B: Establish social media footprint on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn by the end of 2014 to

have a minimum of 50 likes/followers/connections by posting a minimum of weekly to one of

the accounts by the Communications Coordinator

Strategy i: Create and market public Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn accounts via

student veteran distribution list and in PSU Mont Alto Veteran Services welcome packets

Strategy ii: Establish professional networking group on LinkedIn to connect current

and alumni student veterans


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3. Enhance the college experience for student veterans and set

them up for future success


3A: Enhance Academic Support for student veterans by end of 2014 by offering veteran

specific tutoring sessions

Strategy i: Collaborate with the Academic Support Center to establish individual and

group veteran specific tutoring sessions

3B: Enhance Career Services for student veterans by end of 2014 by establishing veteran

specific career counseling sessions

Strategy i: Collaborate with the Career Services to establish veteran specific career

counseling sessions such as workshops for resume writing, interview preparation, internship

and job search, and career planning

Strategy ii: Collaborate with Career Services, local veteran friendly corporations and

businesses to conduct employer panel and attend career informational sessions at these

locations

3C: Finalize collaborative project plan by January 31, 2014 with campus leadership for

establishing Veteran Success Center in the Spring House on campus with a project completion

deadline of December 31, 2014.

Strategy i: Collaborate with university and campus leadership on a project outline

along with our chapter business plan to apply for the VetCenter Initiative grant from SVA and

the Home Depot Foundation

Ongoing Objectives:

3D: Establish career mentorship pipelines for student veterans in Business, Medical,

Education, Social-Work, Law, Forestry, and IT career fields. Initial goal is to have at least one

mentor in each career field by January 2015.

Strategy i: By collaborating with the Penn State Alumni Association and student

veteran alumni, establish an Alumni Association Student Veteran Interest Group by end of 2014


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Strategy ii: Schedule networking events connecting our student veterans with

professionals in desired career fields at least once a semester

Strategy iii: Invite vetted businesses to present recruitment plans of their

organizations to chapter members at employer panels at least once a semester

Strategy iv: Utilize newly established LinkedIn networking group to connect current

and alumni chapter members with professionals in desired career fields

3E: Lower the financial burden on veterans at Penn State Mont Alto

Strategy i: Collaborate with PA State Legislature the PA

Department of Military and Veteran Affairs, PA Student Veteran Organizations, and other

community Veteran Service Organizations to establish a state bill for in-state tuition for student

veterans attending state schools such as Penn State Mont Alto

Strategy ii: Collaborate with Penn State Mont Alto Development Office and Patriot

Federal Credit Union to establish a student veteran scholarship endowment on campus

3F: Enhance the veteran friendly climate at Penn State Mont Alto by implementing programs

and services aligned with the criteria listed in our vision statement

Strategy i: Collaborate with campus leadership to sign the Education Pillar of the

“Got Your Six” pledge to implement and enhance resources, programs, and policies to support

the student veteran population utilizing the recommended resources from the Student

Veterans of America, American Council on Education Toolkit for Veteran Friendly Institutions,

and the Operation College Promise Field Guide

Strategy ii: Collaborate with Penn State Mont Alto Lion Ambassadors to have a

Student Veteran Lion Ambassador join their team to meet with prospective student veterans

(Note: Lion Ambassador Program is explained in detail on page 14 under Program Descriptions)


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Strategy iii: Collaborate with the Penn State Mont Alto Chancellor, Director of

Academic Affairs, and local educational service agency Lincoln Intermediate Unit to develop

free of cost introductory courses in Math, English, and Writing to our student veterans

Strategy iv: Collaborate with faculty, staff, and campus leadership to establish a

veteran specific student orientation to provide hands-on information regarding university

policies and procedures, university programs and services for student veterans, invite local

Veterans Affairs representative to discuss benefits, and invite local veteran supportive non-

profit organizations

4. Encourage the implementation and/or enhancement of

resources, programs, and policies to support the student veteran

population across the Penn State University system

Short-Term Objective:

4A: Establish a strategic partnership by the end of 2014 with the Penn State University

Hendrick Best Practices for Adult Learners Student Veterans Sub-Committee to provide

student veteran input on veteran programs and services across the Penn State University

system

Strategy i: Meet with university leadership and members of the committee to share

best practices, challenges, and solutions on veteran programs and services at PSU Mont Alto

Ongoing Objective:

4B: Enhance the veteran friendly climate across the Penn State University system

Strategy i: Collaborate with university leadership to sign the Education Pillar of the

“Got Your Six” pledge to implement and enhance resources, programs, and policies to support

the student veteran population utilizing the recommended resources from the Student

Veterans of America, American Council on Education Toolkit for Veteran Friendly Institutions,

and the Operation College Promise Field Guide

Strategy ii: Collaborate with university and other Penn State campus leadership to

share best practices for constructing and developing a Veteran Success Center on every Penn

State campus in the Commonwealth


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Strategy iii: : Collaborate with university and other Penn State campus leadership to

share best practices on establishing a veteran specific student orientation to provide hands-on

information regarding university policies and procedures, university programs and services for

student veterans, invite local Veterans Affairs representative to discuss benefits, and invite local

veteran supportive non-profit organizations

Strategy iv: Recommend all Penn State campuses address a letter annually to the

university president and student veteran services sub-committee by developing a system of

reporting metrics, providing a status report on the progress of the student veteran affairs, and

providing recommendations for better serving the veteran population at their campus and

university-wide


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Program Descriptions

Student Veteran Lion Ambassador Program

Lion Ambassadors are students who represent Penn State Mont Alto to prospective students

and families, faculty and staff, alumni and the community. Lion Ambassadors at Penn State

Mont Alto work closely with the Admissions office. It is a diverse group of students who come

from a variety of majors, interests, and backgrounds. These students provide a service to Penn

State Mont Alto by sharing pride, enthusiasm and commitment to the University. A few

additional goals of our Lion Ambassador Organization at Penn State Mont Alto are to gain

leadership skills, public speaking skills and time management skills that are necessary for our

Lion Ambassadors’ future. A Student Veteran Lion Ambassador is the first point of contact for a

prospective student veteran. They are the front lines to personally welcoming new student

veterans and providing peer support to ease the transition to campus life.

Lion Listener Program

The Lion Listener Program provides for the opportunity for our student veterans to gain

mentorship from Penn State Mont Alto leadership, faculty, and staff who are fellow veterans

and non-veterans as well. In collaboration with veteran founded organization, Vet Advisor,

train campus administrators, faculty, and staff on how to best source and retain student

veterans, as well as trainings to facilitate a better understanding of military culture and how

that differs from the culture of the campus. They are trained in the following areas: student

veteran sourcing strategies; veteran-centric sensitivity; student veteran retention strategies;

and the value of student veterans to campus life. Once trained, mentors are available in almost

all areas of campus life to include leadership, faculty, academic and student affairs, veteran

affairs, and career services. By having mentors trained in all areas it allows the student veteran

to personally select a mentor they feel comfortable with and have a positive relationship.


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Penn State University Hendrick Best Practices for Adult Learners Student Veterans Sub-

Committee

The Student Veterans Sub-Committee of the Penn State University Best Practices for Adult

Learners is an initiative spearheaded by university leadership, Office of Adult Learners, and

Penn State Student Veterans Organizations. It is comprised of educators across the Penn State

University system that is responsible for advising veteran programs and services across the

Commonwealth. Additionally, they serve as a bridge to university leadership to address

challenges and issues raised by the Penn State student veteran population.

Seats for Soldiers

“Seats for Soldiers” is a collaborative effort spearheaded by Penn State Athletics, Penn State

Office of Adult Learners, and the Penn State Mont Alto Student Veterans Association to provide

veterans and their families with the opportunity to attend and be honored at a Penn State

football game on Military Appreciation Day. Fan and businesses donate tickets to the “Seats for

Soldiers” program to thank or honor a military service member. United States military service

members (Active/Reserve)/Wounded Warriors, their direct dependents, and Gold Star families

residing in Pennsylvania are invited to attend the game through the program. Also, a pregame

tailgate is held for service members and their families with “Seats For Soldiers” tickets. Finally,

ROTC elite, active duty, Wounded Warriors and Penn State student veterans are honored for

their service during halftime.


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Operations

Leadership

The Penn State Mont Alto Student Veterans Association organizational structure and

responsibilities are detailed below:

President – The President is responsible for the overall operations and direction of the

chapter to include developing and maintaining the chapter business plan with the goals,

objectives/strategies, and proper sustainment of the organization. In addition, the

President approves the chapter budget. Additional duties if necessary.

Vice-President – The Vice-President is responsible for providing operational assistance

to the President in developing and maintaining the chapter business plan with the goals,

objectives/strategies, and proper sustainment of the organization. In addition, the Vice-

President serves as the development officer to establish and maintain strategic

partnerships with outside organizations. Additional duties if necessary.

Treasurer – The Treasurer is responsible for maintaining the chapters’ financials to

include creating the annual chapter budget. Also, maintaining the financial records in

the veteran’s affairs office. Additional duties if necessary.

Communications Coordinator – The Communications Coordinator is responsible for

transcribing all meeting notes, the records management system in the veteran’s affairs

office, and all marketing to include social media. Additional duties if necessary.

Student Government Representative – The Student Government Representative

position sits on the General Assembly of the Penn State Mont Alto Student Government

Association to represent the overall interests of the chapter. Additional duties if

necessary.

Leadership Transition Plan

Elections are held each fall semester to select the leadership of the Penn State Mont Alto

Student Veterans Association with the exception of the position of President. Every spring or if

the current President resigns or graduates the Veterans Services Coordinator and current

chapter leadership will interview each person running and select the best candidate. If all

current chapter leadership are resigning or graduating, the Veterans Affairs Advisor selects the

President. This plan provides the chapter with the ability to not only select its own leaders, but

to ensure leadership sustainability during periods of attrition.


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Marketing

We will utilize a creative and effective marketing plan based on our own 4 P’s of the Marketing

Mix for service oriented organizations: People, Physical Evidence, Processes, and Philosophy.

People - People refer to the knowledge, skills and values of the people delivering the

service, but also the customers and how they interact. Our student veterans in Penn State

Mont Alto SVA are the most knowledgeable about our organization and offer peer to peer

support to current and prospective student veterans. Example: Student Veteran Lion

Ambassadors

Physical Evidence - Physical evidence refers to what's used to promote and run the service,

for example the quality of the promotional pieces and the appearance of all items that

reflect the brand image of the Penn State Mont Alto SVA. Example: Penn State Mont Alto

Veterans Memorial, chapter t-shirts, and chapter challenge coins

Processes - Processes refers to what the customer has to go through in order to receive the

service. On day one, a new student veteran is met by a peer and the veteran’s affairs

coordinator who take personal care of them as they transition to our campus, the new

academic environment, and welcoming them to our Penn State Mont Alto SVA. We view

our student veterans not as customers we serve, but as members of our extended family we

are honored and proud to serve with. Example: Lion Listener Program, Student Veteran

Lion Ambassadors, SVA social events and community service projects

Philosophy - Philosophy because service oriented organizations nearly always have a

philosophical/values base to what they are doing which is consciously and openly known

and needs to be embedded in all the activities. The Penn State Mont Alto SVA philosophy is

based on our mission statement and our vision of supporting student veterans by creating a

preeminent veteran friendly campus through programs to receive a world-class education,

new opportunities, and exciting experiences in our extended family environment.


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Financial Summary

Records Management

All financial records are maintained by the Treasurer including additional chapter records are

maintained by the Communications Coordinator in the Veterans Affairs Office.

Line ItemLine Item Description (less

than 300 characters)Budget Actual

Spring 2014 Chapter Meetings Refreshments 200.00$

Chapter T-Shirts 300.00$

Chapter Coins 200.00$

SVA National Conference Chapter Stipend 500.00$

Semester Total Budget

1,200.00$ -$

Line ItemLine Item Description (less

than 300 characters)Budget Actual

Student Government Allocation 150.00$ 150.00$

SVA Chapter Grant 1,500.00$ 1,500.00$

Semester Total Budget

1,650.00$ 1,650.00$

BALANCE Budget

450.00$ 1,650.00$

PSU MONT ALTO SVA CHAPTER BUDGET - 2013-14

Expenses

Revenues

BALANCE


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Achievements Summary

Penn State Mont Alto Veterans Memorial - fundraised over $35,000 to construct and

dedicate a veteran’s memorial on campus on September 11, 2012 to recognize and

honor the service of our past, present, and future student veterans at Penn State Mont

Alto

Advocated for and encouraged campus leadership to sign the Education Pillar of the Got

Your Six campaign pledge

Created the Student Veterans Lion Ambassador Program

Collaborated to establish the Lion Listener Program

Collaborated to establish “Seats for Soldiers” program at Penn State athletic events

Enhanced Penn State Mont Alto Veterans Services website

(http://www.ma.psu.edu/StudentServices/Veterans/vets.htm)

Advised university administration on the creation of the Student Veterans Sub-

Committee under Hendrick Best Practices for Adult Learners

Advocated for and created a veterans specific student orientation and priority class

scheduling for student veterans

Testified at Pennsylvania State Senate Hearing on student veteran challenges and

assisted in the creation of an in-state tuition bill (HB 472) currently in committee

Planned and collaborated with campus and local community on the Veterans Memorial

dedication and Veterans Day events

Created a semi-annual survey for members to express strengths and weaknesses within

veteran services at Penn State Mont Alto

Established social media footprint on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and the creation of a

student veteran outreach video on YouTube

Created and established an “Outstanding Student Veteran of the Year Award”

Participated in local community service events such as Homes for our Troops, Toys for

Tots, Cumberland Valley Rails to Trails, Penn State Dance Marathon

Established corporate outreach ties with local and national companies such as Morgan

Stanley, JP Morgan Chase, Target, Volvo, Manitowoc, Google, JLG

Partnered with University of Pittsburgh and Seton Hill to plan, coordinate, and execute

the 2013 Veterans Education and Employment Conference in Pittsburgh, PA

http://www.ma.psu.edu/StudentServices/Veterans/vets.htm

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