Serving Those Who Have Served—Managing Veteran and Military Student Best Practices

An increasing number of veterans and military students are seeking to complete degrees online and through enrollment at campuses across the nation. Their increased numbers present some unique challenges and opportunities. Post 9/11, Chapter 33 GI Bill funding is enticing more institutions to look at the veteran and military population as a critical recruitment population. Successful management of these students requires institutional responses that many consider transformational. Failure to understand the needs of these students is likely to result in an unsuccessful experience for both the student and the institution of higher education. The following introduces the concept of a “military friendly” institution and outlines practices engaged by Western Carolina University supporting the concept.