ISU Veterans Sanctuary.

Transcription

1 ISU Veterans Sanctuary

2 Background Veterans Sanctuary Program started in July, 2009, as a response to the urgent need for veterans services at universities expressed by veterans groups throughout the country Involved a year of planning by two ISU University Business Officers, Scott Turner and Lynn Roberts From , Sanctuary Director worked with student vets, staff, faculty, administrators, and key partners external to the university, to develop Sanctuary into a three-phase model Outreach/college preparation (recruitment) Student resources and support services (retention) Workforce preparation Multiple national awards for our efforts G.I. Jobs Magazine: Military Friendly School list for 2010, 2011 and 2012 National citations from American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Enrollment of student veterans attending ISU on VA benefits has risen 48 percent, from 325 to 480

3 Purpose To develop the Veterans Sanctuary into a national leader of university-based transition and support services for military veterans and service members by: Providing student vets with access to all campus resources in one office Providing guidance from the moment vets contact ISU about applying to school until they graduate Fostering a campus environment that is comfortable for student veterans to increase their opportunity for success Working with businesses, organizations and leaders in communities throughout Southeast Idaho to develop the Sanctuary and increase opportunities for student veterans Raising scholarship money for student veterans

4 Sanctuary Offices First one-stop veterans support center at any college or university in Idaho Features a comprehensive array of resources and support services that help student and non-student veterans Located on the third floor of the Pond Student Union Building on Pocatello Campus

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6 Veterans Sanctuary Model

7 Resources & Support Services Veterans Sanctuary resources and support services include: G.I. Bill certifying official to assist with VA educational benefits Bannock County Veterans Service Officer (on-site through unique partnership) to assist with VA medical and other benefits VA Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor to provide guidance and funding to disabled vets attending ISU Outreach to and college preparation for prospective student veterans Orientation events for new student veterans ISU Disability Resource Center to provide accommodations and adaptive technology to student veterans with disabilities

8 Resources & Services Continued ISU Institute of Rural Health s Idaho TBI Virtual Program Center for veterans dealing with TBI and their family members Registration events to streamline the registration process and provide access to many campus and community resources and services in one location student vets finished in less than one hour Veterans Academic and Technical Advisors to keep student vets on-track with their degree plans and ensure they are taking classes the G.I. Bill will fund Student-run Veterans Club to provide peer support and improve the quality of student life and academic success

9 Resources & Services Concluded Free individual tutoring in any subject through ISU Student Success Center and Veterans Sanctuary math and English tutors Individual and group counseling through ISU Counseling and Testing Center, Pocatello Vet Center and Pocatello VA Community Based Outreach Clinic Scholarships and Financial Aid Free music education through the national Soldier Songs program Opportunities for outdoor recreation for student veterans Workforce preparation, professional attire and employment assistance through Career Closet program

10 Outreach Program

11 Rural Outreach Officer Kale Bergeson, sophomore studying Human Resources Training and Development at ISU College of Technology Gulf War Veteran who served in the Marine Corps 3.81 GPA 2010 recipient of the ISU Sgt. Blake Stephens Scholarship, named after a Pocatello soldier killed in Iraq and funded by community and university fundraising efforts 2011 recipient of Marine Corps League Scholarship Former President and current Vice President of ISU Armed Forces Veterans Club-Pocatello Chapter Informs veterans in rural communities about ISU s support for student veterans, G.I. Bill benefits and ISU College of Technology outreach centers in their hometowns that offer free college prep courses Saves time and money by reducing the need for remedial classes once enrolled as ISU students

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17 Native American Outreach Officer Tony Borjas, sophomore studying Human Resources Training and Development at COT Vietnam Veteran who served in the Marine Corps Member of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, the student-run ISU Armed Forces Veterans Club and the ISU Shoshone Club Works on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation with local veterans for the Sanctuary Provides information about G.I Bill educational benefits and speaks first-hand of ISU s commitment to help Native Veterans achieve a higher education

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19 Veterans Registration Event Allison Gonzalez, VA Certifying Official, Office of the Registrar Registration Event cuts red tape for student vets Veterans academic and technical advising Register for classes Initiate VA benefits Meet with VA Voc Rehab counselor University Housing Financial Aid Tuition Assistance Employment information from ISU Career Center and Idaho Dept of Labor Veterans Club Most students done with everything in less than an hour

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21 Sgt. Blake Stephens Scholarship Named after local soldier killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq in 2007 Established by Hooligans Pub, where Stephens often played foosball with friends Supported by annual foosball tournament and donations Adopted as Sanctuary s official scholarship in 2010

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24 Career Closet

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26 Advisory Committee Laura Vailas, Ph.D., First Lady of ISU Retired Brigadier Gen. Alan Gayhart, former Commander of Idaho Army National Guard Retired Marine Col. David Brasuell, Administrator of Idaho Office of Veterans Services State Senator Diane Bilyeu, D-Pocatello State Senator Dean Mortimer, R-Idaho Falls

27 Events & Activities

28 Welcome Home 116th

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41 Outdoor Experience Pocatello ranked several times by Outdoor Life Magazine as one of the top five outdoor recreation spots in nation Access to world-class fishing, hunting, hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, rafting, disc golfing, geocaching, downhill and cross country skiing, snowshoeing, etc. Partnerships with ISU Cooperative Wilderness Handicapped Outdoor Group (CW HOG) and Outdoor Adventure Center, ISU Student Recreation Center, Idaho Fish and Game, Tranquil Valley Horse Sanctuary and Project Healing Waters

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43 Soldier Songs National program which provides free instruments and music lessons for veterans taught by veterans Founded by Tony Rosario, a former Nashville studio musician Goal is for veterans to help each other cope with combat-related trauma through music Veterans Sanctuary one of six chapter sites Participation is open to all veterans in the community

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45 Armed Forces Veterans Club

46 AFVC Chapters on Pocatello and Idaho Falls campuses Luke Cleaver, Pocatello Chapter President Senior studying surveying at ISU College of Technology Iraq War Veteran who served in Army Chris Stein, Idaho Falls Chapter President Junior studying civil engineering Iraq War Veteran who served in Army While student-run veterans clubs are key factors in student veterans success, as of 2009 only 32 percent of public universities and colleges had clubs (American Council on Education) Clubs provide peer support and a collective voice At ISU, the AFVC is leading student participation on campus

47 2011 Homecoming Week

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50 Advocacy The Sanctuary spearheaded a successful effort with state legislators in 2010 to change Idaho law so that all veterans and their dependents who meet basic criteria receive in-state tuition rates Staff and student veterans worked with court officials and community partners to develop the Sixth Judicial District Veterans Court

51 Service

52 Southeast Idaho Homeless Stand Down

53 Field of Heroes

54 Care Packages

55 Operation Gift Wrap

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57 Ride for the Troops

58 ISU Veterans Memorials

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67 Contacts Veterans Sanctuary Pond Student Union 921 S. 8 th Ave., Stop 8095 Pocatello, ID (208) Casey Santee Director (208) santcase@isu.edu VA Certifying Official ISU Office of the Registrar (208) Outreach Officers (208) Career Closet Coordinator (208) Event Coordinator (208) Veterans Academic and Technical Advisors (208) Melissa Hartman Bannock County Veterans Service Officer (208) melissah@bannockcounty.us Philip A. Clifton VA Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (208) philip.clifton@va.gov

68 It s the right thing to do.