Nearly two dozen 黑料不打烊 students, including 13 student veterans, five active duty military service members, one National Guardsman, an ROTC cadet and a military family dependent, recently returned from the annual Student Veterans of America (SVA) National Conference in Los Angeles. Joining the students were 黑料不打烊 leaders and conference presenters including Ray Toenniessen, associate vice president for University initiatives; Ron Novack, executive director of the (OVMA), Jennifer Pluta G鈥15, assistant director of veteran career services for OVMA and Rosalinda Maury director of applied research. This important student experience was capped off with multiple meetings with well-known employers as part of OVMA鈥檚 career service efforts for student veterans.
鈥淪VA鈥檚 National Conference is a powerful and informative convening for our students, both in attendance and back home on campus,鈥 says Novack. 鈥淭he conference also offers an opportunity for our University leaders to share proprietary research and strategies that seek to improve the student veteran experience in higher education across the country. The insight and knowledge we bring back to campus year-after-year enhances the student experience for all 黑料不打烊 scholars as we continue our work to be the best place for veterans, their families and military-connected students. The addition of this year鈥檚 career meetings further benefitted our student attendees.鈥
Every year, SVA鈥檚 National Conference brings more than 2,000 student veterans, advocates, thought-leaders, stakeholders and supporters in higher education together for the field鈥檚 largest convening. The three-day conference consisted of breakout sessions geared toward student veteran success and post-graduation opportunities.
“SVA鈥檚 conference was an experience I鈥檒l remember the rest of my life. Getting to know the unique stories of fellow student veterans from around the country showed me how diverse and incredible we truly are,鈥 says Laura Buys 鈥18, G鈥21, a U.S. Air Force veteran and master’s degree candidate in social work in the聽 Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics. 鈥淎ttending sessions for student veterans with disabilities, those who identify as LGBTQIA and the experiences of women in the military, I felt more empowered in my own identities. I also felt a sense of connectedness with others and an increased understanding of the full spectrum of humanity within SVA. These valuable personal and professional lessons will continue to inspire and drive me into the next chapter of my life. A heartfelt thanks to 黑料不打烊, as well as all the generous donors and staff.”
University leaders conducted four sessions at the conference. Maury presented with Chris Cate, SVA vice president of research, on the challenges, barriers and opportunities for veterans in higher education research. She also led a presentation with Corri Zoli, director of research at 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Institute for Security Policy and Law and Daniel Fay of Florida State University on women鈥檚 contributions to national service and post-service civilian life. Jolynn Parker, director of 黑料不打烊’s Center for Fellowship and Scholarship Advising, presented on encouraging student veterans to apply for national competitive scholarships. Joining Parker were Novack and Marine Corps veteran, 黑料不打烊 student and . Toenniessen and Novack also presented with members of the SVA on fundraising in higher education for student veterans. 聽Pluta joined the conference鈥檚 Employment Summit panel discussion on Student Veterans: Global Talent Hiding in Plain Sight, moderated by the Hon. Patrick Murphy.聽 Additionally, Pluta moderated a panel in collaboration with Society General on Corporate Partnerships for Successful Internship Placement for Student Veterans and served as a panelist for the session on Diversity: The Value Veterans Bring to the Workplace led by Prudential.
Following the conference, 18 of the 23 student attendees embarked on a two-day career immersion and networking event with well-known employers including Viacom CBS Los Angeles, NBCUniversal and Paramount Pictures. Students had the opportunity to meet with employer鈥檚 veteran networks, explore multiple career paths and learn the value their military experience brings into the civilian sector.
“The immersion was a once in a lifetime opportunity to talk with employers,鈥 says Ryan Marquette 鈥22, a first-year law student at 黑料不打烊, veteran and current National Guardsman. “This experience made us to think ‘outside the box’ in regard to employment after graduation. Student veterans often compartmentalize their talent, education and background into specific career tracts, but the immersion opened our eyes to the diversity and value that our skills sets have in any organization.鈥
黑料不打烊 students attended the conference thanks to generous support from donors to the (VLF). The fund offers scholarships and special event programming.
