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An initiative to support student veterans, military & their families
Program adopted from the UNC-Chapel Hill Green Zone Training
For more information or to schedule a Green Zone training, contact:
Nicole Jones, MSW
Military & Family Transitions Coordinator
[email protected] or 505.277.1536
Updated June 2014
Today’s Agenda
•Welcome & Introduction
•Terminology: Commonly Used Terms
•Facts & Data: UNM Student Veteran Population
•Veterans Resource Center (VRC) Overview
•Introduction to the Green Zone Training Program: What it is, why it matters and how it
benefits you
•How to schedule a Green Zone Training for your department/office
•Questions
TerminologyCommonly Used Terms
Military Servicemember
◦ Generic term which encompasses Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserves personnel
Veteran
◦ Any individual who served in the U.S. military
Dependents (AKA—Military Family Member)
◦ Child or Spouse of a Military Servicemember
Facts & Data Veteran Enrollment, Fall 2014
UNM has over 1340 identified veteran &
military students enrolled for Fall, 2014
Note: This number only includes veterans
who utilize GI Education Benefits and
therefore are under the VETCODE
Facts & DataEnrollment & Chapter Benefits
In Fall of 2013, 939 students used
military education benefits:
• 38% were female• Average age was 26 years, and 48% were veterans or
active duty
• 62% were male• Average age was 30 years, and 84% were veterans or
active duty
Facts & DataTop 8 Majors, Fall 2013
◦ Business Administration
◦ Psychology
◦ Criminology
◦ Engineering
◦ Biology
◦ Nursing
◦ Liberal Arts
◦ Political Science
Facts & DataCohort Analysis: Graduation & Retention
Of the 164 students in the Fall 2009 cohort,
◦ 29.3% have graduated
◦ 23.2% have dropped
◦ 47.6% are still attending
◦ In total, a 76.8% retention rate
Welcome To the VRC!Student Union Building, Suite 2002
VRC Mission
The Veterans Resource Center is dedicated to providing the highest quality, comprehensive
support to student veterans & their families, in an atmosphere that demonstrates commitment,
respect, and academic excellence.
VRC Goals
Meet the Team…
SERVICE OVERVIEW
GI Benefits Certification
• Student benefits education and processing assistance
• Certification of benefits for tuition and basic housing allowance
VetSucess on Campus (VSOC)
• Assists student with successful transition to college life, degree completion and career acquisition
Academic Success Program
• Student outreach, scholarship education, recruitment and guidance, veteran specific orientation, and advocacy
Military & Family Transitional Support Program
• Conducts basic assessment of individual and/or family needs and provides resource education and referrals to campus and community service providers
• Vet-2-Vet Peer Mentoring Program
Community Education & Training
• Workshop delivery
• Green Zone Training Program
www.http://vrc.unm.edu
Introduction to Green Zone
Does anyone here know what the Green
Zone signifies in the military?
Background & Origin
The Green Zone Training Program was originally created and launched by
the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Modeled after the Safe Zone
Program, Green Zone volunteers receive training specific to issues
potentially facing the student veteran community.
(UNC Office of the Dean of Students, 2014)
The
Green Zone
Goal
Prepare university faculty and staff to better understand the
experience of veterans, military service members
and their families at UNM
Empower faculty and staff to provide support and information
about resources available to student veteran community
To develop a Veteran Liaison Network at UNM
Green Zone Curriculum
Terminology
Demographics
Identity, diversity & culture
The military experience
Transitions to campus
Disabilities on a college campus
VRC services
Educational benefits
Being an ally
Scenarios & Discussion
Learning Objectives
By the end of this training participants will be able too…
Use the correct terminology related to veterans and active-duty military.
Describe the demographics and diversity of UNM veteran and military students.
Identify and explain VRC services for veteran and military students.
Identify the types of military educational benefits and how schedule changes can incur a student debt.
Summarize the unique strengths of veteran and military students.
Discuss the military experience, including the emotional cycle of deployment, the challenges of transitions from and back to civilian life, and the experience of military family members.
Explain how Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) can affect the student’s experience, and suggest services for support.
Determine what to say and what not to say to veterans to be most supportive.
Identify the support veteran and military students want from staff and faculty.
Appraise what to do in difficult scenarios when working with veterans and military students.
Volunteer to be a member of the UNM Veteran Liaison Network.
Who is a Green Zone Ally?
Someone who is…
◦ aware about the issues and concerns faced by student veterans, servicemembers & families
◦ available to assist the military student
◦ able to make the best possible referral for problem resolution
They are not…
◦ expected to be experts on the experience of student veterans
◦ expected to “solve” our students’ problems
Veteran Liaison Network
The Veteran Liaison Network (VLN) is a program designed to strengthen veteran specific support efforts through the identification of dedicated points of contact or liaisons in each department at UNM.
Liaisons are…
◦ Volunteers
◦ Green Zone trained
◦ Included in the VLN resource guide
◦ Willing to engage in continuing student veteran related education and/or participate in the Veteran Taskforce
Student Voices: What students want campus staff and faculty to know
“We are having normal reactions to an abnormal experience.”
“No two veterans are alike.”
“Each of us has had different experiences.”
“Do Not assume that you know my politics or beliefs just because I was in the military.”
“I may or may not be ready to talk about my experiences.”
“Trust can be an issue for me.”
“Being friendly and listening can go a long way toward building trust.”
“Do Not be afraid of me.”
“We are accustomed to being successful and may be too proud to ask for help.”
(Pfeffer, 2010)
Transition Strengths
Veterans bring a unique perspective:
◦ Military training
◦ Life experience
◦ Established identity
◦ A more worldly view
Skills taught in the military:
◦ Leadership
◦ Motivation
◦ Time Management
◦ Work Ethic
Transition Difficulties
Translating their military skills into a new profession
Military skills & training may not translate into college credits
Universities may have difficulty deciphering transfer credits for those who have attended multiple institutions
Accessing disability resources for accommodations
Understanding the GI Bill
Difference in demographics and life experiences from other students
VETERANS FACE A 4-FOLD TRANSITION
Returning to civilian life
For some, having seen combat duty
Some are living with visible &
invisible disabilities
Becoming a college student
Adapted from Trina Zahller, 3-Fold Transition Model
Student Veterans’ Nontraditional Composition
HOW TO SCHEDULE A GREEN ZONE TRAINING
Contact Nicole Jones, MSW
Military & Family Transition Coordinator, Public Ally
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 505.277-1536 or 505.277.3181
Or Sign Up Today!
QUESTIONS?
References
Office of the Dean of Students (2014). Green Zone Training .Retrieved October 10, 2014 from University of North Carolina,Chapel Hill , Web site:https://deanofstudents.unc.edu/student-support/veterans-resources/green-zone-training
Veterans Resource Center (n.d. ). Meet The Staff . RetrievedOctober 10, 2014 from University of New Mexico , Web site: http://vrc.unm.edu/facultystaff/meet-the-staff.html
Veterans Resource Center (n.d. ). Mission & Goals . RetrievedOctober 10, 2014 from University of New Mexico , Web site: http://vrc.unm.edu/index.html
Virginia Commonwealth University, USS RAMS (n.d.). UniversitySupport Services for Returning and Active Military Students.Retrieved October 12, 2014 from Virginia Commonwealth University ,Aurora Foundation Web site: aurora4vets.org/s/Green-Zone-training.ppt
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