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Improving the Student-Veteran Narrative
More than 60 academic and government leaders convened at Syracuse University’s National Veterans Resource Center for a first-of-its-kind summit addressing pressing challenges facing student-veterans. Co-hosted by Syracuse and the University of Tennessee, the two-day event coincided with the 50th anniversary of the All-Volunteer Force. Outcomes included seven key takeaways and a firm commitment to improving the student-veteran narrative. “We need to create clear pathways to opportunities for enlisted persons, and we need to tell their stories if we expect our enlisted service system to continue,” said Syracuse Chancellor Kent Syverud.
Being Veteran-Ready
With more than 200,000 service members transitioning to civilian life each year, colleges and universities need to be “veteran-ready.” This means providing student-veterans with resources, support and access to education that prepares them for success. “We need to shake things up, find new paths forward,” said retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Victor Holman ’82, underscoring the need for higher education and the federal government to collaborate more closely. Since 9/11, student-veteran enrollment has nearly tripled.
Providing Access and Opportunity
Higher education and the military are bracing for a drop in the college-age population, due to declining birth rates since the Great Recession. Thus, improving higher education’s access to the Department of Defense is one way to offset potential recruitment and enrollment challenges. “Military-connected students require different systems and structures of support,” said Rochelle Ford, president of Dillard University, a private, historically Black institution in New Orleans. The former Syracuse professor added that asynchronous strategies, like independent and distance learning, can benefit those who don’t live near a military base.