1. TBI, PTSD, and the Classroom: Understanding the Mental Health Needs of Student Veterans
~Jennifer Roseman, Vice President VetAdvisor Services
Understand the myths (and truths) about TBI and PTSD and the programs and services that can enable student veterans succeed both in and out of the classroom. Participants will have a better understanding of the mental health needs of the student veteran population and of accommodations that foster the success.
2. Office of Veteran and Military Programs and Services: A Recipe for Success
~Colonel Stephen G. Abel, U. S. Army (Ret) & Robert J. Bright, U. S. Navy. Director & Assistant Director, Veteran and Military Programs, Rutgers University, and contributing authors to Called to Serve: A Handbook on Student Veterans and Higher Education.
The academic success of a college’s veteran and military student population should be the fundamental goal of the school. This mission is accomplished when the there is a single point of contact for student veterans and service members. This session will look at how the Office can work with students and the university to enhance the experience of students and the growth and knowledge of the campus.
3. Deployment and the Military Family: Possible Impacts on Military-Connected Students' Success in Higher Education
~Kerri Clopton, Associate Professor, University of Northern Iowa & Diana Murphy, Military Child Education Coalition
This presentation will provide a brief overview of the military deployment cycle, its impact on military families, and the implications for higher education students that are military-connected.
4. Surviving the Moral Injury of War
~Dr Dorothy Simpson-Taylor, USAF, Rev Belinda Creighton Smith, Army, Desert Storm, CSM Lloyd Green, Army Vietnam. Retired; University of Iowa, 2010/Higher Education Administrator, former psychology faculty and lecturer.
Veterans account for 20 percent of all suicides. While there are many explanations, there is a void in addressing the spiritual malaise some individuals experience as a 'hole in their soul'. Research suggests an unaddressed wound of war may be a factor: moral injury. This includes feelings of shame, grief, meaninglessness, and remorse from having violated core moral beliefs.
5. From Dependent to Impacted: Understanding the Effects of Connections to the Military on Students' Experiences in Higher Education
~Amy Emmett, Program Coordinator, Autumn Cartagena, Faculty. spouses of soldiers in the Iowa National Guard.
Students with a significant other (e.g. friend, partner, sibling) serving in the Armed Forces have their own circumstances which can affect their college experience. Often these students are left unidentified and underserved as they are not a legal dependent. During our presentation we will create an open dialogue on some of the unique challenges facing these students and provide some simple tips to help reach out to them and help all military-affiliated students feel engaged and supported.
6. Student Panel: Transition between military service and college.
~Ariela Meyers, Sean Rogers, Will Overstreet, Moderated by Kyle Dykstra.
7. Challenges of deployment and the impact on civilian transition
~Captain Dan Grinstead, MSW, LISW and Chaplain Martha Kester
Both presenters served military members on deployment in Afghanistan. They discuss common stressors for military members in country, how much of that experience they may bring home, and how it can manifest on campus. Furthermore, they discuss the stigma military members may experience in seeking help and how they worked to build therapeutic relationships in a stressful environment.
8. Disability and Medical benefits: Top 5 things to ensure you get the care you deserve
~ Mary Hoefer, Attorney & Jacob Halverson, Army Veteran and law student.
The Hoefer Law Firm represents veterans in disability claims nationwide. Firm attorneys are accreted to practice before the Veterans Administration and are admitted to practice in the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
9. HR Panel: Hiring current and former military service members.
Representatives from various companies will discuss and answer questions on what it takes to be competitive in the job market. Moderated by Ron Steele, KWWL.
Lunch session: Student Panel: Military Culture 101- You may be a Veteran if…
~ Nigel Ploof (Navy), Molly Skovronske (Air Force/Guard), Jonathan Schlicht (Marines), Tim Toliver (Army). Moderated by Major Kristy Rose (National Guard).
More session descriptions coming soon!
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