serving those who serve others Aurora Green Zone Teleconference Executive Summary
Participation & Presenters serving those who serve others 9 schools represented 1 corporate organization, CACI 7 States represented, as well as Washington, DC Presenters Denyse Gordon, CACI Senior Manager of Veteran Support & Development Dgordon@caci.com Dr. Martha Lou Green, Virginia Commonwealth University Special Assistant to the Provost for Military Student Support MLGreen@vcu.edu Sarah Aktepy, Tidewater Community College Project Manager for Military Academic Programs at the Center for Military & Veteran Education SAktepy@tcc.edu Kenneth D. McRae, Mississippi State University Director of the Center for America s Veterans KMcRae@saffairs.msstate.edu
Schools Represented serving those who serve others 9 Schools listened in on the Green Zone Teleconference: Georgetown University (Green Zone Grant Recipient) Georgia Perimeter College (Green Zone Grant Recipient) Mississippi State University (Green Zone Grant Recipient) North Central College Tidewater Community College (Green Zone Grant Recipient) Texas Tech University (Green Zone Grant Recipient) University of North Carolina University of North Texas (Green Zone Grant Recipient) Virginia Commonwealth University (Green Zone Grant Recipient)
Common Themes serving those who serve others Common Themes Clear need to assist student veterans in their transition, and a lack of money to fund the necessary programs for student veterans Support and buy-in from executive leadership is crucial to the success of the program Having some with former military experience leading efforts in the school is key Mentorship from faculty/staff to student veterans is key Surveys are important to assess how the Green Zone is affecting student veterans It is still difficult to measure retention rates, but a focus exists in doing so changing information systems to properly capture these metrics are critical Female veterans often face different issues than male veterans; consideration for classes specific to women veterans is recommended
Aurora Contact Information serving those who serve others Tom Leavitt Member, Board of Directors Thomas.Leavitt@Aurora4vets.org Beth Miller-Herholtz Director of Communications Beth.Miller-Herholtz@Aurora4vets.org Ellen Hembree Project Coordinator Ellen.Hembree@Aurora4vets.org
serving those who serve others Aurora Green Zone Teleconference Lessons Learned from the Green Zone Grant January 30, 2013
Aurora Grant Recipients serving those who serve others North Central College Georgetown University Grantham University University of North Carolina System George Mason University University of Virginia Tidewater Community College Texas Tech University University of North Texas Mississippi State University Georgia Perimeter College University of North Carolina Charlotte Cape Fear Community College Virginia Commonwealth University 2010 Recipients: 2011 Recipients: 2012 Recipients: 2013 Recipients: Denotes a Green Zone:
Presenters serving those who serve others CACI: Ms. Denyse Gordon Virginia Commonwealth University: Dr. Martha Lou Green Tidewater Community College: Ms. Sarah Louise Aktepy Mississippi State University: Col. Ken McRae
Veteran Support & Development Carlton Kent, Director Denyse Gordon, Senior Manager I N F O R M A T I O N D E P L O Y E D. S O L U T I O N S A D V A N C E D. M I S S I O N S A C C O M P L I S H E D.
Veteran Support and Development The mission is to assist veterans to assimilate into the company by providing programs to support, develop, and retain CACI Veterans Assimilate veterans into CACI to foster a smooth transition/integration. Championing for our veterans through support programs/initiatives. Identify and maximize career development opportunities and high potential veterans. Align with CACI Human Resources retention goals. 10 CACI Information Solutions and Services Date CACI Proprietary Information
Program Outcomes and Benefits & Next Steps Seamless assimilation from military environment to corporate environment Effective integration into corporate culture and effective integration of non veterans understanding military culture Increased collaboration across Human Resources Departments Increased retention of veterans Identification of high potentials Long-term organizational success Continue to develop program Developing requirements for assimilation and training programs Developing requirements and planning for Veteran Employee Engagement Resource Groups Track metrics Retention Promotions Leadership Program Participants (Emerging Leaders; Fellows Program) Improve/increase participation in VetConnect 11 CACI Information Solutions and Services Date CACI Proprietary Information
CACI Veteran Support & Development/Veteran Lifecycle Workforce Analytics Focus FY13/Q3 Service Member Transitionin g In Place The Go To Company for Veterans In Place Retention/ Metrics Promotional Opportunities, Talent Reviews FY13/Q2&3 Hire A Vet & CACI Military Programs In Place Inclusion In All Leadership Developme nt Efforts In Place New Hire Orientation Lunchtime Meet & Greet In Place Engagemen t Vet Connect In Place Veteran Employee Resource Group FY13/Q3 Tailored Assimilatio n /Training Programs FY13/Q3 12 CACI Information Solutions and Services Date CACI Proprietary Information
Green Zone A location recognized by veterans as a safe place Training Outline 13
Green Zone Program Special Assistant to the Provost for Military Student Services Dr. Martha Lou Green (mlgreen@vcu.edu) Designated individual for working across both campuses to address issues affecting military students Military Student Services office Harris Hall Room 3122 phone # 828-6563 Space for Student Veteran/Servicemembers to gather Meetings/Training for both faculty and veterans
Staff and Faculty Participation VCU staff and faculty: 212 individuals have gone through the training as of 18 January 2013. Courses are scheduled at the discretion of the departments and schools. Course Parameters The course usually lasts 60 to 90 minutes including a question and answer period. Courses are currently taught by veterans on staff in the Military Student Services Center with occasional student veteran participation.
Measurements of Success Veterans Know and recognize the identifying stickers across the campus. Staff/Faculty Increase in the number of referrals by this group for assistance when working with veterans. Military Student Services Center Averaging over 200 visits a month by student veterans Women s Group Newly started group for this demographic 16
Green Zone Success Far Reaching Success VCU format has been adopted by 4 colleges in Virginia University of Virginia, Radford, Longwood, George Mason Nationally by University of Arizona, Purdue, Georgetown, University of North Carolina system, University of Denver, Black Hawk CC, Owens CC. 17
Tidewater Community College Center for Military and Veterans Education Military Student Advocate Training Program Sarah Louise Aktepy, MA, LPN Project Manager Military Academic Programs Batanya Gipson, M.Ed. Program Manager Military Academic Programs Tiffanny Putman, MS Counselor Military Student Support Services Aurora s Green Zone Program Teleconference January 30, 2013
Tidewater Community College (TCC) 2010-11 to 2011-12 Enrollment Comparisons All Students 2010-11 2011-12 % Change Active Duty 1,702 1,944 14.2% Veteran 5,263 5,569 5.8% Dependent Family Member 6,638 7,090 6.8% Total Military-Related Headcount 13,603 14,603 7.4% TCC is among the top colleges and universities for the number of Post-9/11 GI Bill enrollments in the nation, and the top community college. 2 Active Duty and Veterans 16% of TCC s Enrollment With family members 30%
Center for Military & Veterans Education (CMVE) Vision Statement: To be a national model for providing comprehensive, high quality programs and services that meet the current and future needs of students associated with the United States military. Mission Statement: The Center for Military and Veterans Education will provide timely, responsive, effective academic and support services to students associated with the United States military, facilitating their educational success. Through the CMVE, TCC is working to further develop faculty and staff training programs to enhance the military-related students college experience and improve student outcomes. 3
Military Student Advocate Training Program-Phase 1 PHASE 1 Part 1: Faculty and staff survey completed in the Fall 2012 distributed to all TCC faculty and staff; received nearly 100 responses findings: overall, majority of respondents are interested in training to raise awareness of military issues Part 2: Introductory training sessions for faculty and staff, including high level administrators (Deans, Provosts, Student Services Administrators) Topics such as: military lifestyle and transition issues military compensation and GI Bill (historical sense), and common physical, mental, and emotional challenges of serving in military, (including PTS and TBI) Part 3: Analyze results of introductory training sessions assessments and evaluations 4
Military Student Advocate Training Program-Phase 2 PHASE 2 Faculty and Staff Training Symposium a one day, catered event for TCC faculty and staff subject matter experts will provide further information on most relevant topics all presentations will be video-taped for the Blackboard-site for Phase 3 will include featured showing of the film High Ground 5
Military Student Advocate Training Program-Phase 3 PHASE 3 Part 1: On-Campus Training Series Campus Training Series: events offered twice weekly on each TCC Campus Fall 2013 Module I- CMVE Overview/Military Culture Module II- Military Policies and Academic Credit Module III- Special Populations and Considerations Module IV-Military and Community Resources/Best Practices Part 2: Faculty/Staff Development Blackboard Site Video of each speakers presentation from the Phase II Symposium Military-related student resources Discussion Board Wiki- military terminology and acronyms Participants who complete the training series will earn the designation CMVE Military Student Advocate * and will be provided a decal for their door or lapel pin to help TCC students and faculty/staff identify them as a military-helpful, knowledgeable resource. 6 *Proposed Title
Contact Information Center for Military and Veterans Education Tidewater Community College Virginia Beach Campus 1700 College Crescent Kempsville Building (Building D) Virginia Beach, VA 23453-1918 Work: (757) 822-7722 Fax: (757) 822-7710 Sarah Louise Aktepy, MA, LPN Project Manager Military Academic Programs Center for Military and Veterans Education Tidewater Community College 1700 College Crescent Kempsville Building, Bldg. D Virginia Beach, VA 23453 (757) 822-7755 saktepy@tcc.edu Batanya Gipson, M.Ed. Program Manager Military Academic Programs Center for Military and Veterans Education Tidewater Community College 1700 College Crescent Kempsville Building, Bldg. D Virginia Beach, VA 23453 (757) 822-7724 bgipson@tcc.edu Tiffany Putnam, M.S Counselor Military Student Support Services Center for Military and Veterans Education Tidewater Community College 1700 College Crescent Kempsville Building, Bldg. D Virginia Beach, VA 23453 (757)822-7723 tputnam@tcc.edu
G.V. SONNY MONTGOMERY CENTER FOR AMERICA S VETERANS MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY
Mississippi State University Green Zone An Initiative To Support Student Veterans
Mission Statement To support the mission of the Division of Student Affairs through the development and implementation of outreach programs designed to provide student support services focused on the special needs and requirements of today s military veterans, service members, dependents, and survivors.
To create a Green Zone to enhance our Veteran Support group and transition programs purpose of this initiative is to encourage awareness of and advocacy for student veterans on MSU provide and promote a safe and supportive environment for MSU Student veterans and build a network on campus Have faculty, staff, and connection to assist the key concerns of Navigation of university and departments Transition to readjustment barriers (like psychological, family, financial issues), Understanding unique needs (critical to success) Concern as the fact have having willing individuals
Kenneth D. McRae Col, AUS, Ret. Director G.V. Sonny Montgomery Center for America s Veterans Mississippi State University Charles F. Wheeler III, M.S., CRC Clinical Mental Health & Rehabilitation Counselor Doctoral Candidate Department of Counseling & Educational Psychology Lamaris L. Williams Graduate Student: Rehabilitation Counseling Marine Veteran
Itinerary: Green Zone Training Welcome MSU Veterans, Service Members, & Dependents Information Transitions into College life COL., AUS., RET. Kenneth McRae MSGT, RET. Ronnie White Lamarris Williams & Michael Cain Director G.V. Sonny Montgomery Center for America s Veterans Assistant Director G.V. Sonny Montgomery Center for America s Veterans Graduate Student, Marine Veteran Marine Veteran Effects of Titles 3 & 9 Jeremy Bahan Associate Dean of Students Service Connected Issues Charles F. Wheeler III, M.S., CRC Doctoral Student Post-Traumatic Stress Suicide Pete Formica Doctoral Student, Army Veteran Sexual Trauma Cheryl A. Justice, Ph.D., LPC Assistant Professor Department of Counseling & Educational Psychology Conclusion
Training Program: Green Zone Introduction: Veterans and Service Members in college Descriptions, Information: Description of current veterans and service members at MSU Numbers Types Skills & Credits Using G.I. Bill Military Skills (translated into college credit) Transferring Credits Transition (Student Veteran, Service Member) Role Incongruities Alienation, Isolation from intense close community of military, to integration on campus Difficulty Switching gears with new focus, and translating military skills into new profession (college, jobs)
Disability and Effects from Service Percentages & Information PTS Sexual Trauma Suicide Title 3 & 9 Benefits & Resources Benefits available to veterans and service members at the University Campus and Community referral resources available for veterans and service member students Conclusion
Training Sept. 21 2012 15 mentors from 6 different departments of the University were trained 8 faculty and staff conducted training
getting more veteran participation
Measures were sent to Students (Veterans, Service Members, and Dependents) Measuring Use of the Green Zone Mentors Impact of the Green Zone in student experience Beliefs about the Green Zone and its impact in the University/College, and their Departmental Programs What students believed may be added to the Green Zone to assist further
Measures were sent to Mentors who completed Training Measuring How was the training program Students Mentors have seen The Impact of Green Zone for Students Beliefs about the Green Zone with the University/College, and Departmental Programs Effect of Green Zone and being a Mentor at the University
In the second week of Spring Semester 2013, Conduction of mentor training on two different days End of Spring 2013 Semester Conduct Survey Summer 2013 We will evaluate and tweak the program Academic Year 2013-2014 Continue program Request continued Green Zone funding
Training : $1656.00 Printing: $ 677.00 As of December, 31 2012
Questions? serving those who serve others To ask a question, please click the Raise Hand tool on your screen:
Final Remarks serving those who serve others Thank you to our participants, and to those listening in, for all you do each day to serve student veterans! CACI: Ms. Denyse Gordon Virginia Commonwealth University: Dr. Martha Lou Green Tidewater Community College: Dr. Bruce Brunson Mississippi State University: Col. Ken McRae