Penn State program helps veterans transition, prepare for college

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — For student veterans, college can be daunting. Many are the first in their family to enroll in college, and some haven’t been in a classroom in a few years. Penn State’s Veterans College Boot Camp can help to smooth that transition, connecting student veterans with resources and tools to succeed — and with each other.

The Veterans College Boot Camp is a hybrid program designed to bring student veterans up to speed with the expectations and demands of university life. The program, offered through the Office of Veterans Programs in the Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity, serves as a bridge to connect incoming student veterans with resources, and with each other.

For those who have just gotten out of the military and are making the switch to university life, the program can provide much-needed assistance during that time of transition.

“We saw a need in our new incoming students,” said Renée Thornton-Roop, senior director of the Office of Veterans Programs. “We needed to provide a little bit of an academic brush up — some information on study skills, especially in math and writing. And we also needed to build areas of connection so the students would have a safety net upon arriving to Penn State.”

The program assigns three weeks of virtual programming to incoming students, with online modules focused on areas that seem to be the biggest point of concern. That includes a writing prompt, math practice and some soft skills.

Then, for one week in August, participants visit Penn State for residential programming. Students tour campus resources including the bursar and financial aid, Penn State Learning, and Career Services. This year, the camp also included a tour of resources beyond campus, like the local Veterans Affairs clinic and a visit to the Centre County Veterans Services Officer.

The skills and knowledge gained from the boot camp, Thornton-Roop said, places incoming student veterans on the same level as their more traditionally college-aged peers, building their confidence and helping to guide them toward success.

“From the research on veterans, particularly first-generation veterans, we know that if you can make one connection — just one, with one other person they can recognize and relate to — they’ll be more likely to succeed,” Thornton-Roop said. “They’ll be more comfortable asking for help, which is a big deal. We know that’s something student veterans can struggle with, because they’re trained not to ask.”

Sixteen students enrolled in this year’s boot camp. That includes Russell Deck, who found comfort and support in health resources and information.

“The specific programming related to our health, both mental and physical, was amazing to get to discover and know that we have access to,” Deck said. “We learned about resources for things like nutrition, stress management and growth mindset.”

The tools, resources and relationships built up through the camp can smooth the transition into University life. For Deck, the programming helped to show that college doesn’t have to fit one path or story.

“I feel much more confident because of all of the academic resources that we were shown,” Deck said. “We learned about tools like the learning center, which covers many subjects, the career center and its professional wardrobe, and general tips and tricks about college. The biggest lesson being, there is no right way to do college.”

The students who enroll in the boot camp and learn those skills can then go on to pass the information to other incoming student veterans, Thornton-Roop said, increasing the impact of the program overall. That helps to retain student veterans and get them through to earning their degree.

The boot camp includes some social activities, as well. This year, participants started their week with a goat yoga session. They ended the week with a kayaking and canoe trip, followed by a dinner event.

“The environment in that week took an entire group of strangers and made them feel like actual friends,” said Tim Kerr, a participant in this year’s program. “We bonded over shared experiences and learned together. I now have friendships with my peer group here at Penn State, and I believe these will continue to grow throughout my educational journey.”

Many student veterans are the first in their family to go to college. Those who enroll in the boot camp, based on preliminary data, have an easier time adjusting to the environment. The first group to participate had a 0.5-point increase in their GPAs compared to student veterans who did not attend, Thornton-Roop said.

“Student veterans deserve to be here,” Thornton-Roop said. “They often come ready to take on a mission. They know what they want to do, and they’ll work hard for it. The boot camp helps to level the playing field and set them up for success Penn State has a long history of serving student veterans.  Following World War II, in the first iteration of the GI Bill, approximately 80% of the students at Penn State were student veterans.

While the makeup of the student body has changed, Thornton-Roop said, the University maintains a tradition of enrolling student veterans. Penn State currently has over 5,000 military-connected students, with just over 1,000 based in University Park.

“We have an obligation as a University, as a land-grant institution, to make sure that we are serving them in the best way possible,” Thornton-Roop said. “There’s a responsibility, especially with the military tradition at Penn State, to make sure that these students are taken care of and given the best opportunity for success.”

Programs like the boot camp aim to facilitate learning and academic success, Thornton-Roop said. But the benefits go both ways, she said, as student veterans on campus bring an important perspective that can improve the whole community.

“These are students who have been in the real world. They’ve had extreme responsibilities put on them at a very young age,” Thornton-Roop said. “They are leaders, they are followers, and they’re amazing examples of the relevance of experiential learning in higher education. These students  bring  their skills and knowledge to the classroom, where everyone benefits from their expertise.”

Penn State honors its veteran alumni and student veterans through annual events like the Military Appreciation Tailgate and football game, as well as additional events throughout Military Appreciation Week. Those ceremonies help to recognize and serve student veterans. The boot camp is one of many ongoing efforts to provide assistance and encourage success.

“The Veterans College Boot Camp beautifully demonstrates our commitment to creating a welcoming transition for student veterans,” said SeriaShia Chatters, interim vice provost for educational equity. “Renee Thornton-Roop and her team, working hand in hand with our Commonwealth Campus colleagues, continue to do incredible work supporting military-connected students across Penn State.”

Information on the program, including dates and application instructions, are available through the Office of Veterans Programs website.