OOS 3-7
How community colleges hold the key to nurturing veterans toward ecological sciences and a life in academia
With the availability of the Post 9/11 GI Bill in August of 2009, academic institutions across the country have seen a dramatic influx in veterans enrolling for classes in recent years. Though this is indeed a great result, there are considerations that must be made with such a large influx of students transitioning from a military at war, to a classroom. Being a veteran in academics and science indeed has very strong advantages, but it also comes with a very unique set of challenges the aspiring scholar must overcome in order to succeed. Many of these challenges go unnoticed by faculty and staff, and results in a very difficult start to what should be a very rewarding journey into academia. It is also important to realize that not all veterans stop serving actively. Some serve in reserve units, which in itself presents challenges with balancing a military lifestyle and a civilian/academic one. So how should academic institutions address the unique challenges a veteran student will face? In this talk I will address some of these challenges on an administrative level and classroom level, as well as provide insight about how they directly impact the veteran.
Results/Conclusions
Veteran students are forced to cope with many challenges that are unique to their particular situations. Those coming off active duty must quickly adjust to a civilian lifestyle that is foreign and chaotic, while also acclimating to the formal classroom setting that comes with pursuing academics. Many also bring with them the traumas of war, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) that severely impede their efforts to properly acclimate. Institutions need to be capable of properly identifying veteran students, and addressing their particular challenges appropriately in order to ensure a smooth transition. Professors need to properly communicate with veteran students, and not see attempts to reach out and explain shortcomings as another excuse made by another lazy student. Admissions administrators need to consider gaps in academic records and not penalize veterans for their service. This is not exclusive to veterans coming off active duty, but for reservists who continue to be activated while already enrolled in academic programs. Though the challenge is great, educators may find it very rewarding to help nurture these aspiring scholars, because they are hard-wired to give 110% everyday in every pursuit. That is the defining character of a veteran.