SPEC. OP. V.A.L.O.R: Special Opportunities in Veteran Academic Liaison Organization Requisition

Abstract

Student Veterans are a growing population within post-secondary education institutions throughout the United States. According to the American Council on Education, the United States has reintegrated more than 2 million troops into civilian life following their service in Iraq and Afghanistan wars (Taylor et.al 47). Proportionately to the increasing student veteran population, there is a similarly growing need for the creation or re-evaluation of resources and support structures on the campuses to ensure the academic success of our heroes. Student veterans struggle to succeed in modern academic settings for a myriad of reasons that manifest themselves with great complexity. It is the obligation of the institution, faculty and the administration to take a step back and re-assess the effectiveness of their tools for success. The purpose of the following research is to survey the dynamics within growing population of student veterans transitioning from military service into higher education in correlation to specific resources available to them on campuses nationwide. This study intends to provide insight on the characteristics of the student veteran demographic itself, its interdependent relationship with faculty and administration, as well as examine the subsequent successes/obstacles of the support structures promoting academic success. The analysis of both qualitative and quantitative research on the student veteran populations matriculating at American colleges and universities will illustrate that the many complex idiosyncrasies attached to each individual veteran warrants the need for much closer attention, greater flexibility and even greater commitments at the faculty, administrative and institutional levels. The goal is to acknowledge the fundamental components essential to constructing an impactful and sustainable multifaceted support model. One that can be tailored to benefit both the needs of the students & institution it serves.