The document summarizes efforts at The University of Akron to support military veterans through various programs and services. It describes how an AmeriCorps VISTA member helped expand services for veterans and increase coordination between existing programs. It also notes that enrollment of student veterans has increased significantly in recent years due to new GI Bill benefits and discusses opportunities to better support veterans through merging and expanding existing campus resources dedicated to assisting them.

1. Engaging campuses in service to the community.
Ohio Campus Compact VISTA Impact Report: The University of Akron
Ohio Campus Compact AmeriCorps*VISTA strategically connects college resources with
communities in need. Corps members gain valuable experience and educational awards.
Campuses expand their civic outreach. And community partners receive critical support.
HISTORY & BACKGROUND Poverty Alleviation Focus Area: Veterans Issues
• Office of Adult Focus created 1999. For more information contact:
• Military Services Center created early 2009. VISTA Corps member: Bridget Ludwa
• Veterans Steering Committee formed in (330) 972-2754 • bl35@uakron.edu
2009. Site Supervisor: Laura Conley
• Veterans Service Coordinator VISTA (330) 972-8696 • lhc1@uakron.edu
position started Aug 2009. Ohio Campus Compact VISTA Sr. Program Director:
Lesha Farias (740) 587-8571 • lesha.farias@gmail.com
• Military Veterans Association created in www.ohiocampuscompact.org
2009.
• Fall 2008, UA enrolled 661 student veterans.
• The Post 9/11 GI Bill was implemented for
Fall 2009 and UA enrolled 1073 student
veterans; Fall 2010 UA enrolled 1217.
• The Post 9/11 GI Bill covers all or part of
tuition and provides a living allowance. If a
veteran qualifies for the Post 9/11 GI Bill, it
means that person served an amount of time
on Active Duty (and likely deployed) during
a period when our nation has been at war. Above: Veterans Day, Nov 11, 2010
The number of veterans using the Post 9/11 GI Below: Local Heroes Football game, Sept 11, 2010
Bill is increasing.
AsOMMUNITY IMPACT
C one can see, these enrollment numbers are
increasing.
• Between Post 9/11 GI Bill, Vocational Rehab,
Montgomery GI Bill, and REAP students’ living stipends,
the community received close to $9 million for the
2010/2011 year.
• University could have a reputation in the community for
lending its campus as a transition space.
CAMPUS IMPACT – WHY VETERANS?
• Transition by means of campus
• Possible feelings of isolation from community
• Currently serving military students and Annual Training:
They are on duty, not vacation.
To avoid generalizing, not all veterans face adjustment issues.
However, with the economy still suffering, and veteran
unemployment rates of 27%, no other student population faces
a potential inability to function successfully in society.

2. UA 2010/2011 Numbers:
KEEPING MOMENTUM: OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE FUTURE
Short amount of time, already significant work toward UA taking a Post 9/11 GI Bill recipients: 363/340
lead in fulfilling the Ohio GI Promise and the overall strategic plan for 2010/2011 awards: ≈$1.2M/$1.5M
the University System of Ohio. Overall GPA: 2.988/2.926
• Veterans enjoy a fee waiver when applying to UA and
specialized New Student Orientation experiences once Ohio Army National Guard Scholarship
admitted. Program recipients:
• Student veterans were granted priority registration during the 2010/2011 awards: ≈$650k/$830k
2009-2010 year, in an effort to more quickly submit their Overall GPA: 2.577/2.670
paperwork to the VA for efficient benefits processing.
• A new lounge is opening in InfoCision stadium, replacing the Voc Rehab recipients: 52/62
current space student veterans use to study, conduct 2010/2011 awards: ≈ $234k/$279k
meetings, and relax. Overall GPA: 2.670/2.658
• Improved communication between the Military Services
Center and the Office of Adult Focus has enabled a smoother Selected Reservist recipients: 51/79
transition to campus; new physical layout of MSC also 2010/2011 awards: ≈$230k/$350k
encourages warmer atmosphere. Overall GPA: 2.873/2.630
However, separation of resources does not retain veterans. Active Duty: 70/127
2010/2011 awards: ≈ $315k/$571k
• UA can better enable retention and graduation for student
Overall GPA: 3.211/3.225
veterans if these resources were merged into one
location/close proximity gap and brought on more advising ($6M+ for 2010/2011)
staff; this would provide both advising and benefits processing
for student veterans. Persistence: ≈ 46%
• Problem = space! Where to house Adult Focus with/near
Military Services Center. *Average GPAs reflect ability to be
admitted to degree granting colleges.*
• Meet incoming students where they are, need for
comprehensive services.
o The investment needed for this step would be About Ohio Campus Compact
returned quickly given the increasing revenue student AmeriCorps*VISTA
veterans bring to campus each semester.
Ohio Campus Compact is a statewide nonprofit
coalition of colleges and university presidents and
their campuses working to promote the civic
purposes of higher education. Ohio Campus
Compact provides resources, services &
partnerships to help Ohio campuses deepen their
ability to educate students for civic and social
responsibility and to improve community life.
AmeriCorps*VISTA is the national service program
designed specifically to fight poverty. Founded as
Volunteers in Service to America in 1965 and
incorporated into the AmeriCorps network of
programs in 1993, VISTA has been on the front
lines in the fight against poverty in America for
more than 40 years.
The Ohio Campus Compact AmeriCorps*
VISTA Program places and supports VISTAs who
create and expand programs designed to bring
individuals and communities out of poverty. VISTAs
serve in the poorest areas of their communities to
tackle poverty-related problems such as hunger and
homelessness, financial literacy, veteran student
services, public health and college access. More
information at: www.ohiocampuscompact.org