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As the population of college students with military connections changes, BW is tailoring services to meet their needs.
When some of the 130 new and returning veteran and military-connected students gathered for advising and a welcome cookout at Baldwin Wallace university last week, the composition of the group included not only veterans but children of those who have served our country.
"Since VA education benefits were expanded for dependents and survivors (also called Chapter 35 and Chapter 33 TOE), we have seen more children of veterans enrolling through those programs," explains Kate Lentz, BW's associate director, Veterans and Transfer Student Success.
"Our office supports the children along with our veteran students," Lentz continues. "They've all sacrificed greatly in service to our country, enduring deployments that require navigating daily life and holidays apart from their loved ones."
The information session and cookout, which followed a specialized orientation program, recognize what brings these students together and sets them apart.
"When they come to campus, many veterans experience feelings of imposter syndrome — stemming from the age gap, life experiences and other challenges," says Lentz, a U.S. Coast Guard veteran. "The experience of military children is also unique. We want to introduce all of them to our support services and each other."
Lentz says the most prominent resources at BW include the All-Star Student Veterans Center, "a dedicated space where students can relax, study and connect with peers in a welcoming and supportive environment. We're also relaunching the BW chapter of Student Veterans of America (SVA) as the leadership of the group graduates and moves on."
But support for military-connected students starts long before orientation and their arrival on campus.
"BW also provides a single point of contact for all military-related questions and concerns, ensuring consistent, personalized support navigating benefits," Lentz says. "As a Yellow Ribbon School, we ensure that military-connected students using the post-9/11 GI Bill have tuition fully covered, even when it exceeds the annual maximum tuition permitted by Chapter 33."
Lentz adds kudos for BW's School Certifying Official, Marcia Schaffer, who "brings unmatched dedication and care to her work with veterans as she processes GI ed benefits in financial aid."
BW's recently renewed Collegiate Purple Star Award by the State of Ohio is just one of many outside endorsements for the quality of BW's support for students with military backgrounds.
The University consistently lands at or near the very top of the U.S. News Midwest Regional list of "Best Colleges for Veterans" and has been recognized by GI Jobs magazine as a military-friendly school since 2008.
"By showing our military-connected students that we see them, support them and 'have their six,' we help create an environment where they feel valued and empowered to succeed. And that sense of belonging and support is something every student at Baldwin Wallace should get to experience," Lentz says.
Lentz, who's been in her role at BW since March, has plans to add faculty training and to host a Veteran and Military Alumni and Family reunion during October's Bold and Gold Homecoming Weekend. That event will take place in the Ritter Library, where a newly curated exhibit showcases Baldwin Wallace's longstanding relationship with the military and spotlights the stories and achievements of BW's veteran students through the years.
Visit BW Military and Veteran Student Services for more information.
