Presentation name or presenter name

1
An Education Partnership with the Governor of
California, State Agencies, the Military, and
Californias Public Colleges and Universities
Western Association of Veterans Education
Specialists, July 22
2
Steven Ambrose and the World War II GI Bill

• The GI Bill was the best piece of legislation
  and it made modern America. The educational
  establishment boomed.the opportunity to go to
  college transformed the country. Millions of GIs
  who never ever dreamed they might be able to go
  to college suddenly had the opportunity.and they
  wentand they were the best students we ever had!

3
Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of
2008

• On January 4, 2007 Senator Jim Webb (D-VA)
• introduced S.22 which was a Bipartisan Effort
  with 57
• co-sponsors.
• The Post- 9/11 GI Bill is a new benefit
  providing educational assistance to individuals
  who have served on active duty on or after
  September 11, 2001.
• On June 30, 2008 President Bush signs Act into
  law.

4
Californias Governors Vision

• Goal - California will become the nations model
  and leader in providing educational opportunities
  and assistance to active duty military and
  veterans
• Increase enrollment of active duty and veterans
  at Californias public colleges and universities
• Provide increased instructional opportunities to
  men and women on active duty, the National Guard,
  and the Reserves
• Ending Result - Provide more highly qualified men
  and women to the California workforce!

5
Mission

• Tasks for the Group
• Communications, Marketing, and Website
• Active Duty and Veterans Outreach
• Admission and Financial Aid
• Partnerships
• Best Practices
• Serving the Severely Injured
• Education to Jobs
• Colleges and universities will partner with
  military branches and California Departments of
  Veterans Affairs, Education, and Labor and
  Workforce Development Agency

6
California Demographics

• California leads nation in number of veterans
• 2.2 million (9.2) of 24 million nationally
• 11 of active duty in U.S. Armed Forces are from
  California
• 170,000 of 1.45 million
• 12 of active duty are stationed in California
• 175,000 of 1.45 million
• 20,000 Air Force Reserve and Army National Guard
  stationed in California

7
California Public Colleges and Universities
Profile Ideal for Veterans!

• California Community Colleges
• 110 campuses
• 2.5 million students
• Provides educational, vocational, and transfer
  programs
• The largest college system in the world. Nearly
  55 of CSU grads and 28 of UC grads begin their
  college education at a community college
• California State University (CSU)
• 23 campuses
• 450,000 students
• Largest and most diverse four year institution in
  the nation
• Low cost, accessible, affordable education
• University of California (UC)
• 10 campuses
• 209,000 students
• Californias research and doctoral granting
  institution

8
Veterans and Service Members Profile

• High school graduates
• 25.3 average age
• 84 male and 16 female
• Demonstrated leadership, smart and morally fit
• 96 of exiting veterans enrolled in Montgomery GI
  Bill
• US Department of Veterans Affairs statistics
  indicate that roughly 70 ever utilize benefits
  Recruiters say education is the 1 reason for
  joining.

9
Veteran Continuum
Recruit Active Duty Transition
Civilian Good Citizen
Promises Made Recruit Recruiter Family
Community
Promises Kept Responsible Citizen Family
Community
Enlistment Duty Station Leadership/Mentor Family/
Spouse ESO/Education/MGIB Deployments Life
Changing Experiences Troops to College
Career Planner Re-Enlist MGIB/Educatio
n Family/Spouse Transition Assistance VA EDD Choic
es Troops to College
Work MGIB/Education Campus (VST,SVO) VA EDD Transf
er Credits Family Valuing Service Troops to
College
10

11
Outcomes to Date

• Established veteran support teams and student
  veteran organizations on campuses expanding
  effort
• Established the Statewide website
  www.troopstocollege.ca.gov and system/campus
  websites
• Established the Severely Injured program at
  Balboa and Camp Pendleton (partnership with CSU,
  Balboa, and ACE)
• Reviewing credit transferability processes and
  criteria with an eye towards advantaging the
  veteran high priority. CSU has entered into an
  MOU with U of Maryland and is working with ACE
  for system wide solution.
• Established partnerships with military bases and
  campuses
• Overall enrollment increase between for 2007 to
  2008 4.3

12
Troops to College - Next Steps

• Reinforce a sense of urgency on all campuses
• Strengthen and expand veteran support teams and
  student organizations
• Create a training and education program for
  campuses veteran teams
• Resolve the issue of credit acceptance for
  military experience and schools University of
  Maryland MOU with CSU American Council on
  Education standard
• Education and Jobs Match the opportunities
  Review Transition Assistance Program Encourage
  private industry to become involved (OSE, CSU and
  Boeing project at CSU Long Beach)
• Engage alumni organizations as resource for
  veteran students and graduates (CSU Alumni
  proclamation)

13
Veteran Support Team
14
FYI Samples of Good Ideas

• www.troopstocollege.ca.gov
• Vet friendly webpage examples Las Positas
  College CSU, San Diego
• The Road Home Sierra College
• Everyday is Veterans Day SFSU CSUEB
  Initiative
• Vets First Las Positas
• Vet Center Presentation on Campus Solano
  Community College
• Boots to Books Citrus College
• Honoring Vets - Campus Memorial Day and Veterans
  Day events
• Monthly Vets Ed Specialist Conference Calls CSU
• Priority enrollment legislation Runner Bill
  S272
• Advance degree fee waiver for CSU - Salas Bill AB
  950
• Alumni support jobs and scholarships
• CCC Regional meetings
• Participation in Transition Assistance Program

15
What do you Vet Ed Specialists - need?

• Recognition on all levels of the critical role
  you play in the success of student veterans
• Resolve the articulation of credit for service
  schools and experiences issue
• Increasing Reporting Fee to 25 - 50 per student
• Exempt GI Bill benefits from inclusion as a
  financial resource in all student financial aid
  calculations
• Reward veteran friendly (SOC) campuses (fund
  veteran program administrators)

16
Contact Information

• Bucky Peterson, Special Assistant to the
  Chancellor, California State University and
  Liaison to the California Secretary of Education
  on Education Matters for Military and Veterans
• bpeterson_at_calstate.edu
• [phone] [phone]
• Amy Utt, Veterans Certifying Official, Solano
  Community College
• Amy.Utt_at_solano.edu
• [phone]
• Joan Putnam, Veterans Coordinator, CSU, San Diego
• putnam_at_mail.sdsu.edu
• [phone]