麻豆原创 faculty and staff, along with other faculty, staff and college administrators from as far away as Massachusetts, gathered Aug. 3 to talk about improving the academic success of veterans on campus. The conference was hosted by Student Development and Enrollment Services, the Veterans Academic Resource Center, and Registrar’s Office.

Opening remarks from 麻豆原创 Vice President Al Harms, a retired Navy vice admiral, set the tone for the importance in recognizing the challenges that student veterans often face when transitioning from military to civilian life.

Breakout sessions included topics such as the challenges faced by returning veterans with disabilities, programs designed for veterans transitioning from boots to books, and serving veterans with little money.

Conference speakers and participants shared their insightful leadership in recognizing the need for preparing and sustaining student veterans towards academic success. Networking was a bonus as participants were able to share their knowledge and gain resourceful information from one another.聽聽聽聽

The keynote remarks from Dr. John Schupp, creator of the Supportive Education for the Returning Veteran program and an instructor at Tiffin University in Ohio, reinforced that reforms and new ideas are needed to serve the new generation of student veterans.

Conference participants also toured the 麻豆原创 Veterans Academic Resource Center and learned about the resources offered.

To help develop programs that encourage veterans to succeed in school, the 麻豆原创 will host an Aug. 3 statewide conference for college administrators, faculty members, and other professionals that work with veterans.

Paul Viau, associate university registrar and director of the Veterans Academic Resource Center, said veterans face multiple hurdles, not the least of which is financing their education.

鈥淢any are supporting families and are dealing with the same issues that older, returning students face: juggling school, job, home, family care, etc.,鈥� Viau said. 鈥淥n top of that, they often face challenges with transitions from military to civilian life.鈥�

The conference 鈥� Completing the Mission: Retaining and Graduating Student Veterans 鈥� will be hosted in the Student Union by Student Development and Enrollment Services, the Veterans Academic Resource Center, and the Registrar’s Office.

The goal of the conference is to discuss strategies and collaborations to sustain student veterans and dependents towards success.

The conference will include networking opportunities with faculty and administrators from across the region; a keynote address from Dr. John Schupp, creator of the Supportive Education for the Returning Veteran program, and topical sessions presented by professionals working with student veterans.

Schupp, who teaches at Tiffin University in Ohio, has spoken to more than 300 campuses nationwide about veteran education, and has been awarded the Advocate of the Year from the Vietnam Veterans of Ohio, and the Zachary Fischer Distinguished Humanitarian award by the Department of Defense.

麻豆原创 has about 1,200 student veterans, 900 of whom are using their GI Bill educational benefits, Viau said.

The conference registration fee is $70 and the deadline is July 31.

For more details about the conference and to register, go to http://www.ce.ucf.edu/Conference-Services/Veterans/.