Penn State Mont Alto SVA

Transcription

1 1

2 ~ This Page Intentionally Left Blank ~ 2

3 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. 3

4 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: Background 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. 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 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 4

5 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. 5

6 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 6

7 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 7

8 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 8

9 2. Maintain and increase active membership of Penn State Mont Alto SVA Short-Term Objectives: 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 attend Strategy iii: Monthly social events for all student veterans and their families to 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 9

10 3. Enhance the college experience for student veterans and set them up for future success Short-Term Objectives: 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, 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 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

11 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) 11

12 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 nonprofit 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 12

13 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 13

14 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. 14

15 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. 15

16 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. 16

17 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. 17

18 Financial Summary PSU MONT ALTO SVA CHAPTER BUDGET Expenses Line Item Line Item Description (less than 300 characters) Budget Spring 2014 Chapter Meetings Refreshments $ Chapter T-Shirts $ Chapter Coins $ SVA National Conference Chapter Stipend $ Actual Semester Total Budget $ 1, $ - Revenues Line Item Line Item Description (less than 300 characters) Budget Actual Student Government Allocation $ $ SVA Chapter Grant $ 1, $ 1, Semester Total Budget $ 1, $ 1, BALANCE BALANCE Budget $ $ 1, 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. 18

19 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 ( 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 19