When the Army Post is the Campus: Understanding the Social and Academic Integration of Soldiers Attending College

Wilson, Kristin Bailey; Smith, Natesha L.; Lee, Allisha L.; Stevenson, Melissa

doi:10.1353/csd.2013.0087

Cited by 11 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…This finding was not surprising. Much of the current literature specifically examines: a) the transitional experiences of military learners from the highly structured and regimented culture of the military to the more ambiguous and self-regulated environment associated postsecondary education; b) military learners' college experiences and obstacles; and c) the resulting sense of belonging or fit, intent to persist, or, to a lesser extent, specific academic outcomes and completion rates (Barnhart, 2011, Beatty, 2013Carne, 2011;Covert, 2002;Diamond, 2012;DiRamio, Ackerman, & Mitchell, 2008;DiRamio & Jarvis, 2011;Dunklin, 2012;Hayek, 2011, Lang & Powers, 2013Lemos, 2013;Livingston, 2009;Lopez, 2013;O'Rourke, 2013;Rumann, 2010;Rumann & Hamrick, 2010;Wilson, Smith, Lee, & Stevenson;.…”

Section: Organizing Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Evolving Military Learner Population: A Review of the Literature

Ford

Vignare

2014

OLJ

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This literature review examines the evolving online military learner population with emphasis on current generation military learners, who are most frequently Post-9/11 veterans. The review synthesizes recent scholarly and grey literature on military learner demographics and attributes, college experiences, and academic outcomes against a backdrop of conceptual frameworks addressing adult transition theory, learner persistence, and institutional responsiveness. Military learner demographics and academic risk profiles are most similar to nontraditional, first generation learners, although military learners face additional challenges associated with service-connected injuries and disabilities. Like other nontraditional learners juggling work, family, and academic responsibilities, military learners have become increasingly reliant on online learning. Intersecting community memberships, role identities, and commitments often complicate the transition to college and perceived sense of fit, a finding more pronounced in studies involving military learners attending campuses predominately serving traditional students. The significant lack of research examining online military learners limited further comparative analysis. Overall, current research suggests military learners adapt and persist in college by drawing upon deeply engrained military traits and tendencies, including self-discipline, mission-first focus, and reliance on fellow military learners. A few studies have suggested that institutional support systems for military learners, such as offering customized services and courses online, contributed to learner satisfaction and persistence. A growing number of institutions have adopted military-friendly approaches to program and service delivery since the enactment of the Post-9/11 GI Bill in 2008. Yet impact findings were mostly anecdotal. Confirming these findings requires additional quantitative empirical research with larger and more precisely defined population samples. As technology continues to blur previously sharp distinctions between face-to-face and online learning, the next wave of military learner research must focus on military learner retention models encompassing multiple learning modes and delivery methods, institutional student supports needed to enhance success, understanding military learner paths through multiple institutions, and population samples that provide generalizable information about military learners.

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Section: Organizing Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Evolving Military Learner Population: A Review of the Literature

Ford

Vignare

2014

OLJ

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“…For some, this interest occurs before entering the military or as a part of military promotion. Others may experience an increased interest in pursuing their educational goals in anticipation of the transition to civilian life (Wilson, Smith, Lee, & Stevenson, 2013). Education can be a bridge between military and civilian life for student veterans.…”

Section: Review Of Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

“…They experienced an unanticipated loss of community and camaraderie that was created through military service and combat deployment. Creating a new social network in an academic environment can be perceived as challenging by student veterans (Wilson et al, 2013;Osborne, 2013) Veterans who return to school have unique characteristics that are based on their military experiences. They are typically older and more mature with life experiences that shape who they are as students and members of the academic culture (Allen, Armstrong, Saladiner, Hamilton, & Conrad, 2014).…”

Section: Review Of Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

Online Course Engagement Among Undergraduate Nursing Student Veterans

Cipher¹,

Urban²,

Boyd³

et al. 2018

JVS

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As a result of the Post-9/11 Veterans Assistance Act, academic programs aimed at assisting student veterans to become Registered Nurses (RN) are increasing. Accordingly, the number of nursing academic programs being offered online are increasing, yet little is known about online student veterans' behaviors within learning management systems (LMS). This study examined the patterns of LMS use among student veterans who are pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and the association between these behaviors and academic success. A retrospective associational analysis was conducted with data collected from students enrolled in courses in an online BSN program. The multilevel data consisted of 528 students who took one or more of twelve courses. The sample consisted of 23 veterans and 505 non-veteran BSN (non-VBSN) students in 3,793 course enrollments. Veterans were more likely to be male and were less likely to be classified as an in-state resident. Overall, the students engaged in their LMS early and most did not have missing or late assignments. The amount of online time spent in each course and the number of late assignment submissions significantly predicted course grades. No other significant predictors of graduation, discontinuation, or grades emerged. Notwithstanding some demographic differences, veterans appeared to be comparable to their non-VBSN counterparts overall, in terms of both academic performance and online engagement. These results indicate that the time students spend in their online courses can predict program success. The creation of an early-identification process for at-risk students who are not engaging in their LMS might have the potential to enhance educational outcomes even further.

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“…When soldiers attend with civilian students, many view the civilian students as unfocused and undisciplined. They see the military as the institutional affiliation where they learned to see life in mission terms (Wilson & Smith, 2012;Wilson, Smith, Lee, & Stevenson, 2013). Life is something to be accomplished.…”

Section: The Soldier/veteran/dependentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thank you for your service: Military initiatives on college campuses

Wilson

2014

New Horizons in Adult Education and Human Resource Development

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Military students and their dependents arrive on college campuses with a diverse array of academic goals and support needs. A military friendly college understands that military students are transitioning from the professional military environment to the workforce, and academic work is part of that transition. A military friendly college is not one with a single office of military student services where all military students are referred, but is a culture of support that builds on the skills veterans bring to the academic setting, and supports the veterans’ transition into the workforce. This article will profile military students and a sampling of military students services at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

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When the Army Post is the Campus: Understanding the Social and Academic Integration of Soldiers Attending College

Cited by 11 publications

References 28 publications

The Evolving Military Learner Population: A Review of the Literature

The Evolving Military Learner Population: A Review of the Literature

Online Course Engagement Among Undergraduate Nursing Student Veterans

Thank you for your service: Military initiatives on college campuses

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