For the past decade, Arizona State University has developed a reputation for its strong commitment to military members, veterans and their dependent population.
That reputation is no surprise to Pat Tillman Veterans Center Director Jeffrey A. Guimarin, who spent more than 25 years in the Air Force.
“ASU has a unique veteran and military-oriented success culture on campus and across its enterprise. At the Pat Tillman Veterans Center, we carry the flag for this community, but it takes everyone in the university to make it a success,” Guimarin said. “And we do, in every aspect across all the campuses and online, to include advocacy, entitlement support, research and development opportunities, professional development and networking, financial support and most importantly, high-quality education.”
Jeffrey A. Guimarin
The university has approximately 10,200 military-affiliated students enrolled for fall 2020, and they often need help navigating this “foreign culture” called college. This includes making sure they know and understand their entitlements, ensuring efficiency of processes, focusing on outreach and engagement and developing strong partnerships with potential sponsors and veterans service organizations.
Here’s a few resources offered to student veterans at ASU:
Pat Tillman Veterans Center – ASU opened the Pat Tillman Veterans Center in fall 2011, providing a single point of contact for ASU veterans and their dependents. The center connects them with academic and student support services to promote a smooth transition from the military, as well as assistance for veterans benefits, employment and referrals. It's also a place where veterans can gather for study groups and social activities.
Office for Veteran and Military Academic Engagement – OVMAE serves the Arizona State University community by promoting dialogue, teaching and research that increases information, understanding, knowledge and relationships among military, civilian and academic cultures.
Veterans Upward Bound – VUB is a free educational program that assists veterans in Maricopa County and northern Pinal County who are either low-income or first-generation potential college students with improving academic skills and transitioning to the college of their choice. They receive online instruction, academic tutoring, assistance with financial aid and scholarship applications, and referrals to Veterans Administration information as needed.
VetSuccess on Campus – VSOC is a program through the Veterans Benefits Administration that places an experienced vocational rehabilitation counselor directly on campus to provide assistance and support to veteran students and their eligible family members. This counselor will serve as a “one-stop liaison” for veterans on campus.
Veterans Writing Circle – Sponsored by the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing, the Veterans Writing Circle offers veteran students and local veterans a space to write together, workshop creative pieces and share stories. This circle is veteran-led and veteran-focused. All skill levels and genres are welcome.
Veterans Scholar Program – This program prepares student-veterans for life after college as leaders and community members in an environment that fosters professional development. It also maps out the steps members can take to achieve professional and academic success through the completion of workshops and events. Activities include resume building, learning interview skills for internships or jobs, networking, dressing to impress, financial responsibilities, goal setting, leadership seminars and discussing controversial topics with other cohort members.
Top photo: Veteran graduates listen as Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz addresses students during the spring 2017 commencement in Tempe. Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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