Ohio universities affirm commitment to military-connected students

How Ohio’s public universities can continue to serve veteran and military-connected students was at the heart of the Inter-University Council’s second Military Connected Student Symposium at the Ohio Statehouse this week.

The event gathered lawmakers, experts and leaders in higher education to discuss the best ways to support the students who served in the military and their families.

“Let’s engage, share ideas and work together to ensure that Ohio remains the best place in the nation for veterans and military-connected students to succeed,” said Laura Lanese, IUC president & CEO.

The Ohio State University is home to more than 2,300 military-connected students, including more than 500 veteran students, said Ohio State President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr.

Carter, a retired vice admiral with 38 years of service in the U.S. Navy, said he wants the university to be the best in the nation at serving this community of students.

“Even if this wasn’t something that was close to my heart, I’d still be advocating for us as higher education leaders in Ohio to make our military leaders a priority. Why? Because this is a significant population of students and families who have served our country,” he said. “It’s an opportunity and responsibility to serve them in return. This is an education issue, it’s an economic development issue and it’s a community vitality issue.

“These are students who are oriented to service. They’re oriented to leadership, and they have strong character and work ethic, exactly the type of talented individuals we want to pursue an education on our campuses and live and work in our communities.”

Ohio State’s Senior Vice President for Student Life Melissa Shivers joined a panel with State Rep. Andrea White and Kevin Cullen, Ohio State’s assistant vice provost and director of Military and Veteran Services, to discuss the importance of student military community advocates and the support veteran students need on campus.

“We spend a lot of time sitting down with our military students wanting to understand what are the issues that they are facing. They are not going to be the same as the 18-year-old who’s living in the residence hall,” Shivers said.

Military-connected students rely on services that can help them navigate their government benefits, transition into civilian life or maintain positive mental health, the panelists noted.

In addition to the panels, Mike Duffey, chancellor of the Ohio Department of Higher Education, led an award ceremony honoring colleges and universities in Ohio that support military-connected students. White was the recipient of the Legislator of the Year Award and State Rep. Brian Stewart was named the Ohio Military Connected Alumnus of the Year.