Posted 3:49 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, 2015
UW-La Crosse recently unveiled a new, online training program designed to create a more supportive and inclusive campus for student military veterans.
UW-La Crosse recently unveiled a new, online training program designed to create a more supportive and inclusive campus for student military veterans.
All UW-L faculty and staff are encouraged to take the training, which focuses on veterans’ issues and how to provide support, says Nicole Jablonski, UW-L veteran education benefit coordinator.
“It’s important for faculty and staff to know what kinds of issues veterans may be facing and how to deal with those issues appropriately,” says Jablonski. “If veterans don’t have support on campus, they probably won’t continue on our campus or may decide not to go back to school at all.”
Jablonski’s goal is to get 100 percent participation from faculty and staff. She adds that the training is particularly useful to faculty. They are often in direct contact with student veterans and can be the first line of defense if an issue arises.
The 30-minute training, developed by the company Kognito, can be taken any time online. The program places users in a virtual environment where they engage in a series of interactive exercises focusing on simulated conversations with virtual student veterans who are struggling with various transitional stressors related to college life. Through role play, faculty and staff gain skills to successfully manage challenging conversations.
Although not experts, people who complete the program add to the campus support network for student veterans. They can lend a listening ear and help find the proper resource for these students.
People who complete the training are also deemed “green zone certified.” They can display a green zone sticker on their office door or work area to let veterans know they are available to provide support and information about veterans’ resources. Website graphics are also available for campus websites and email signatures. The names of people who take the training will also be listed on UW-L’s Veterans Services website showing their commitment to student veterans on campus.
UW-L has 349 student veterans whether active duty, serving in the National Guard or in the reserves. Jablonski anticipates even more as the military downsizes and more veterans choose to attend school because of educational benefits available.
“It’s important for faculty and staff to know what kinds of issues veterans may be facing and how to deal with those issues appropriately,” says Jablonski. “If veterans don’t have support on campus, they probably won’t continue on our campus or may decide not to go back to school at all.”
Jablonski’s goal is to get 100 percent participation from faculty and staff. She adds that the training is particularly useful to faculty. They are often in direct contact with student veterans and can be the first line of defense if an issue arises.
The 30-minute training, developed by the company Kognito, can be taken any time online. The program places users in a virtual environment where they engage in a series of interactive exercises focusing on simulated conversations with virtual student veterans who are struggling with various transitional stressors related to college life. Through role play, faculty and staff gain skills to successfully manage challenging conversations.
Although not experts, people who complete the program add to the campus support network for student veterans. They can lend a listening ear and help find the proper resource for these students.
People who complete the training are also deemed “green zone certified.” They can display a green zone sticker on their office door or work area to let veterans know they are available to provide support and information about veterans’ resources. Website graphics are also available for campus websites and email signatures. The names of people who take the training will also be listed on UW-L’s Veterans Services website showing their commitment to student veterans on campus.
UW-L has 349 student veterans whether active duty, serving in the National Guard or in the reserves. Jablonski anticipates even more as the military downsizes and more veterans choose to attend school because of educational benefits available.