Serving Military Students in the

Classroom
Megan Foster
HI ED 546: College Teaching
Inquiry Project Presentation

The Military Student

Military personnel and veterans are and have
been a tremendous asset to higher education,
but they have needs that are distinct from other
students. As campuses continue to welcome
these students, it is important for administrators
to not only reassess their programs and services
but to ensure veterans and service members
have useful information about such programs to
to make an informed decision about which
institution is the best for them. (McBain et al,. 2012, p.5)

The Issue
Rise in military and veteran student
enrollments
Highest influx since World War II

Universities and professors need to be

prepared
These students come with different academic
needs that need to be recognized

Previous Research
From Solider to Student II (2012)
Revised survey of the first national snapshot of the programs, services,
and policies that colleges and universities had in place to serve veterans
and military personnel

Academic Recognition of Military Experience in STEM

Education (2013)
Article discussing evaluating military experience into college level credit
and the challenges related to this process

Student Veterans/Service Members Engagement in

College and University Life and Education (2013)
Examines how student veterans/service members and their peers differ in
their perception about and their engagement in academic activities and
campus life. Despite efforts by colleges and universities, they report
feeling slightly less supported on campus than nonveteran/civilian
students.

Inquiry Project
Concern for the academic success for future
military and veteran students
Universities do so much to recruit and assist in
the admissions process
What happens after they become a student
Must self-identify to receive support

So, how can we better serve the academic

needs of military and veteran students in the
classroom?

Data Collection
Surveying:

Current students
Previous students
Office of Veteran Affairs
ROTC Academic Advisers

Want to use their knowledge and experience to

determine
Academic challenges that military and veteran
students face
What they want to be different in the classroom
Improvements needed? On what level?

My Prediction
Cant relate to majority of students
Dont participate in class

Prior Level Learning/Training not addressed

Focus more on academic learning than social
learning

Expected Problems
Military and veteran population is reserved
Participants may not share or respond
Advisers may not know or confidentiality issues
Students my not feel comfortable sharing

Experience and opinions are hard to analyze