LENA: What’s my advice for faculty and staff? I guess just remembering that we’re adults. Like, I’m 27. I’m a mom. I’ve been in charge of millions of dollars worth of equipment and led large teams and lived all over the world. So when I come to you with a problem—like I have to go to training or I’m being redeployed or something—please treat me like an adult and respect that I’m coming to you with an adult problem.
AUSTIN: There’s definitely a stereotype about veterans. I mean, I feel it. You know, people think we must be super-patriotic, conservative, militant, aggressive, poor, brainwashed you know? But I’ve met a lot of people in the military and we are all completely different… different viewpoints, different reasons for enlisting, completely different personalities. So my advice would be just get to know us, ask questions, and try to be open to what we have to say. We’ll probably surprise you in a lot of ways.
CHRIS: A lot of veterans aren’t going to ask for help. Even if we need it, we don’t know we need it. And we don’t always know what help’s available anyway. Like, I take school very seriously. But I was headed toward dropping out… flunking out. All because I didn’t realize that, yes, it is kinda weird to go from being in combat one month to being in school the next. I didn’t think about how that might affect my ability to do well in school. So my advice? Please reach out, be aware, and if you can help a veteran meet their potential… Please… do it.
NATE: Thanks for spending time with us today.
ALICIA: It means a lot that you’re willing to put in the extra time to get to know your students better.
NATE: Thanks for your time and for supporting student veterans on campus.
This concludes the simulation Veterans on Campus for Faculty & Staff. Please select the link below to request a certificate of completion.