AVECO Conference SOC/Concurrent Admissions Program

Transcription

1 AVECO Conference SOC/ St. Louis, Missouri July 17, 2013 Dr. Mark D. Sifford

2 An Initial Thought... Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world Nelson Mandela 2

3 Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges Established in a consortium of national higher education associations with over 1,900 institutional members... Functions in cooperation with the Department of Defense (DoD), the military services, including the Coast Guard...to meet, expand, and improve voluntary post secondary education opportunities for servicemembers worldwide... 3

4 SOC Mission Serve as vehicle to assist in coordinating post-secondary educational opportunities for servicemembers. Strengthen liaison and working relationships among military and higher education representatives. Advocate for flexibility needed to improve access to and availability of educational programs for servicemembers. 4

5 SOC Principles Servicemembers should share the same educational opportunities available to their civilian counterparts Educational programs that are provided by appropriately accredited colleges and universities Educational programs that are flexible in terms of scheduling, academic residency, course transfer, and acceptance of non-traditional credit

6 Be All You Can Be ConAP Today s Soldier Today s Army Wants to Join You Army of One Army Strong 6

7 Education The U.S. Army takes great pride in its education programs and is currently the only service that puts a plan in place for post secondary education at the time of enlistment. Historically, education benefits are the number one reason individuals join the Army and Army Reserve. 7

8 FY 2013 Recruiting Mission 69,000 - Regular Army 20,130 - Army Reserve Total Army -1 million + Target Recruiting Pool - Ages 17 to 24 o Only 2-3 of 10 fully qualified Non-high school graduate Medical failures Moral waivers Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) o More than 1 in 5 HS grads do not meet minimum standards 8

9 Army Enlistee Demographics ConAP 83% male, 17% female 99% high school diploma grads 13% have college experience 64% top half of the ASVAB Average enlistment age o Regular Army o Army Reserve Average enlistment term - 3 to 4 years Average age entering college - 24 to 26 9

10 Intangibles o Pride o Purpose of belonging o Self-confidence o Discipline o Patriotism Why the U.S. Army Tangibles o Education...money for college o Professional development...job skills...learn a trade o Benefits...individual & family...medical, dental, housing, steady income 10

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12 ConAP An Army unique program that reinforces the importance of higher education in today s society. The program is a partnership between the US Army Recruiting Command, more than 2,000 colleges, and Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges...It is designed to forge a relationship between a Future Soldier and a college at the time of enlistment. 12

13 Background A Partnership o U.S. Army Recruiting Command (USAREC) o Over 2,000 colleges o High Schools Originated in the late 1980s o Congressional criticism over low usage rate of GI Bill benefits Lack of family tradition in attending college Lack of planning to attend college after enlistment 13

14 What is ConAP A relationship builder o Bonds the Future Soldier with post secondary education opportunities A planning tool o Builds on the education foundation established by secondary educators NOT a guarantee o Only the college/university can guarantee admission 14

15 How ConAP Works Discuss education during interviews and the initial Future Soldier Brief one or more Intent to Enroll form(s) to college(s) Colleges provide guidance about applying for admission and preparing for academic experience by maintaining contact with the Future Soldier Soldiers must apply for admission 15

16 Electronic ConAP Form: College Process ConAP process is automated Requires up to date POC information Ensure IT personnel do not treat s as SPAM Let others know about ConAP 16

17 What Next? The astute college will: Send a congratulatory or letter to the Future Soldier...and to the Recruiter Advise the Future Soldier how to enroll for online courses if applicable At the appropriate time, provide the Future Soldier with information on matriculation, financial aid, and veteran services 17

18 Benefits for Post Secondary Institutions Colleges receive a legitimate referral from the US Army Future Soldier will ultimately be a veteran with guaranteed money for college (GI Bill) Colleges receive Future Soldier s contact information which allows for the opportunity to build an education bridge 18

19 Food for Thought I will prepare, and some day my chance will come. Abraham Lincoln Education is all a matter of building bridges. Ralph Ellison 19

20 Contact Information Mark D. Sifford, Ed.D Project Director - Concurrent Admissions Program (ConAP) 1307 New York Ave., NW. Fifth Floor Washington, DC siffordm@aascu.org 20