Presenter: Christina Kinlaw, Janice Hartie

Audience: Faculty, Staff, Administrators

In-Person: Bonnell, BR-10

Learning Goals

Participants will:

• Identify the unique characteristics and needs of military-affiliated students, including veterans, active-duty service members, and dependents, and understand how their backgrounds influence academic behaviors and expectations. 
• Recognize common transitional challenges faced by veterans and service members, such as reintegration stress, identity shifts, navigating civilian academic environments, and develop strategies to address them through proactive advising. 
• Apply advising strategies that promote academic success, retention, and degree completion for military-connected students, including techniques for building rapport, providing flexible guidance, addressing service-related barriers, and recognizing the dos and don’ts of utilizing benefits.

Seminar Description

Military veterans and active service members bring unique strengths—and face distinct challenges —when transitioning into college life. This seminar explores the academic, social, and psychological experiences of military-connected students in higher education. Participants will gain insight into the cultural competencies needed to support this diverse population, including understanding military-to-civilian transitions, navigating VA benefits, recognizing signs of service-related trauma, and fostering a campus environment that honors their service while meeting their educational needs. Whether you're a professor, administrator, advisor, or navigator, this session offers practical insight into supporting military-affiliated students that will honor their unique experiences and help them thrive in the collegiate environment and beyond. Learn how to build inclusive practices that recognize their service, promote persistence, and lead to degree completion and meaningful careers.