Improving Educational Outcomes for First-Year and First-Generation Veteran Students: An Exploratory Study of a Persistent Outreach Approach in a Veteran-Student Support Program

Abstract

Effective veteran-student programs that include advising help to bridge military culture with campus culture. These programs assist with military-to-campus transitions and achieving veteran-student academic success. Persistent outreach is an advising strategy that includes proactive and intentional engagement that anticipates student concerns. The records of 448 veteran-students eligible for the Veteran Student Support Services (VSSS) program using persistent outreach between fall 2017 and winter 2018 were reviewed. This study answered the research questions: Which factors are significant predictors of students in the VSSS program? Do GPA, grants, and loans received differ for students in the VSSS program? Do GPA, grants, and loans received differ for first-generation status? and Do VSSS status and first-generation status interact in the effect on GPA, grants, and loans received? Comparisons were made between students who were (n = 103) and were not (n = 345) in the VSSS program. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that race/ethnicity, first-generation, gender, grants, and GPA were predictors of VSSS participation. Our analysis found significant main effects for participation in VSSS and for first-generation status and the interaction of those two factors with GPA, loans, and grants. Because the VSSS provides support services, it indirectly addresses the stress of transition from “soldier to student” that leads to poor outcomes for veteran students.

Keywords:

• Veteran-students
• persistent outreach
• advising
• financial aid
• GPA

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Cassandra Barragan

Cassandra Barragan, PhD, MSW, is an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work and the Director of the Aging Studies Program at Eastern Michigan University. With 20 years of professional experience prior to coming to EMU, she has a breadth of knowledge and experience with a personal philosophy to never stop learning. It is this philosophy that guides much of her research to better understand various populations and their social networks. She has a personal and professional interest in working with veterans both on and off campus. Her research that includes identifying opportunities for older veterans to build social relationships has been presented nationally, and she is a strong advocate for older veterans in the community.

Lyla Ryckman

Lyla Ryckman, MSW, graduated with her Master’s in Social Work from Eastern Michigan University in 2019. She is currently employed with Washtenaw County Mental Health, where she continues her work with veterans in the community.

Wayne Doyle

LTC (US Army, Ret.) Wayne Doyle, MA, is the director of the Veterans Student Support Services (TRIO program funded by a grant through the Department of Education) at Eastern Michigan University. The objectives of the program are to increase retention and graduation rates for student veterans. The program has exceeded all its objectives since its inception in 2015. With over 20 years of military service, Wayne can connect effectively with the student veteran population. As a long-time ROTC instructor at three different universities, he understands university life and the value of creating a strong support network throughout the university faculty and staff. Wayne completed his BS in civil engineering from the United States Military Academy, and an MA in land warfare from American Military University. He has served in the U.S., Germany, Kosovo, Iraq, and was awarded the meritorious service medal and the bronze star.