Supporting Veteran Success in Higher Education
This training course will familiarize university and college-level faculty and staff with military and veteran culture, as well as veteran-specific considerations in the areas of admissions, finances, academic and student life, and health and well-being.
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Course Description
Develop a profound understanding of military and veteran culture, emphasizing considerations in admissions, finances, academic life, student engagement, and health and well-being.
Learn to discern veteran-specific aspects in college applications, ensuring a nuanced and inclusive approach to admissions processes.
Explore the financial landscape for veterans pursuing higher education, identifying key considerations and programs that impact their academic journey.
Acquire the knowledge and strategies to foster a veteran-inclusive campus environment, enhancing awareness and support among faculty and staff.
To learn more, you can take the following courses in this series:
What You Will Learn
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
Expand knowledge on military structures, branches, roles, enlistment motivations, and discharge types, cultivating a nuanced understanding of military life.
Identify unique challenges in veterans' transition to civilian life and higher education, appreciating the diversity they bring. Master inclusive communication strategies to engage veterans effectively.
Recognize distinctions in veteran college applications, implementing best practices for a more welcoming, equitable, and inclusive admissions process.
Describe key financial considerations and programs influencing veterans pursuing higher education, ensuring a well-rounded understanding of financial aspects in this context.
Understand common barriers hindering student veterans' full participation in college life and implement strategies, such as peer support, to mitigate these obstacles and enhance inclusivity.
Recognize prevalent physical, mental, and social health issues impacting veterans. Acquire knowledge of both on and off-campus resources and best practices to aid veterans in navigating and managing these challenges.
Course Outline
Module 1: Veterans in Detail
Module 2: Veterans in Society
Module 3: Veterans and the Admissions Process
Module 4 :Veterans and Financial Considerations
Module 5: Veterans on Campus
Module 6: Veterans and Health & Wellbeing Considerations
Instructors
Before joining the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration as a Curriculum Designer in 2016, R.J. served as an Associate Dean of Students at Columbia University’s School of General Studies where he directed the Academic Resource Center and served as the lead instructor for University Studies, a transition course for first-year, non-traditional students. An award-winning teacher, R.J. has advised college students at Columbia, Cambridge, and Harvard Universities, and has taught courses in English and American literature, literary history, close reading, academic skill-building, and English for Speakers of Other Languages. R.J. holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and anthropology from Columbia University (2003), a Master of Letters in English literature from the University of Cambridge (2005), and is currently pursuing doctoral work in English literature.