The STARS Project: A practical professional development program for higher education professionals who serve military‐connected students

College campuses are accustomed to serving various populations and typically offer professional development for faculty and staff to assist those students. However, most institutions do not offer specific professional training targeted toward serving military‐connected students—those students who have previously served in the US military, are currently serving, or those who are using benefits from a parent or spouse. This population is very different from the others on campus, and campuses need to do more to assist them reach their academic goals. The Supporting Transitioning and Returning Service Members (STARS) Project provides a research‐based, timely, and sustainable professional development program that is fully transferable and applicable to all institutions of higher education. Practical Takeaways Military‐connected students are a diverse group of students on campus who have very different needs than their peers; it is incumbent upon colleges and universities to assist them with the transition experiences and provide them the support they need to be successful. Most institutions of higher education do not offer specific training regarding how to best support military‐connected students; those that do often adapt an existing training without fully addressing the needs of this special group. Incorporating research, best practices, experts, and students, the Supporting Transitioning and Returning Service Members (STARS) Project is an original and comprehensive training program institutions can use as a template in order to best serve their military‐connected student population.