Patrick McGuire, the Coordinator of Veterans and Military Services at ISU spoke on how ISU helps their military students.
“We primarily assist student veterans, members of the national guard or reserve, and illegible military dependent students get the most use out of their GI Bill benefits.”
The veteran and military services also help make students aware of available scholarships and grants. The community resources allow military students to have a place to connect and support one another.
“I’d say the adjustment from military lifestyle to campus lifestyle is a little more different than a typical non traditional student…”, McGuire said. “A lot of times its difficult for them to adjust socially and culturally… they’re not living in the dorms… they’re not participating in activities a normal student out of high school would participate in.”
This is why ISU is so focused on providing services and support to military students. Veterans also have special access to ISU’s counseling center and career services to help set them up for success after graduation.
Navy Veteran Brooke Bauer spoke on how high schoolers can feel disconnected from other military servers.
“I think it would be hard for a student out of high school to relate with people who have already served or are serving right now, sometimes you feel like you’re in a parallel world.”
Illinois State not only works to server veterans on their special day, but also year-round with special services to help students thrive on and off campus.
Illinois State will hold its Veteran’s Day ceremony on Tuesday Nov. 11 in the Bone Student Center at noon. For more information, please visit Illinoisstate.edu/veterans.