3 Things You Can Do Today to Understand Your Student Veteran Population Better
As universities strive to create inclusive and supportive environments for all students, understanding the unique needs of specific groups, such as student veterans, is crucial. Student veterans bring a wealth of experience and perspectives to campus, but transitioning from military to academic life can be challenging. To foster a more supportive atmosphere, here are three actionable steps you can take today to understand your student veteran population better.
Map the Demographics: Uncover Insights Through University Records
Start by delving into your university records to gather essential demographic data on your student veteran population. This information is invaluable in understanding where these individuals are coming from and can aid in tailoring support services to their specific needs.
Contact your university records office to obtain data on current student veterans. Request and collate information such as age, gender, branch of service, and geographical origin. Analyze this data and identify patterns and trends within the student veteran population.
Understanding the demographics will shed light on whether there are concentrations of student veterans from particular regions or military branches. For example, if many student veterans come from nearby military installations, this could indicate potential areas for collaboration and targeted support.
Build Personal Connections: 1:1 Conversations for Insight
Data alone may not capture the personal stories and unique challenges that student veterans face. Initiate one-on-one or small group informal conversations with student veterans to establish individual connections and gain deeper insights into their experiences.
Engage university personnel, such as academic advisors or student affairs professionals, to contact student veterans. Create a welcoming and open environment where students feel comfortable sharing their experiences. Listen actively to understand their backgrounds, challenges, and aspirations through these conversations.
Look for common themes or issues that may emerge during these interactions. Are there recurring challenges related to the transition from military to academic life? Are there specific support services that student veterans find particularly helpful? These insights can inform the development of targeted programs and resources.
Know Your Proximity: Align Programs with Military Installations
To better support student veterans, it's essential to understand the military landscape surrounding your campus. Conduct low-level research to identify which military installations are closest to your university and explore how your programs align with the training and occupational specialties associated with those installations.
Research military installations in your region and identify the types of training and military occupational specialties (MOS) prevalent in those areas. Obtain this information from military websites, community resources, or by directly contacting local military bases.
Once you have this information, assess how well your university programs align with the skills and experiences acquired by student veterans during their military service. Are there opportunities for collaboration or the development of programs that directly address the needs of student veterans with specific military backgrounds?
Understanding the proximity of military installations and aligning your programs can create a more seamless transition for student veterans and ensure their unique skill sets are recognized and valued within the academic community.
These three actionable steps will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of your student veteran population. This understanding lays the foundation for targeted support services, fostering a campus environment where student veterans can thrive academically and personally.
Interested in learning more about how your institution can partner with Virtual Veterans Communities?