Bridging the Gap: Technology and Veteran Academic Success

Authors

  • David Cass University of Colorado, Boulder Uvize Inc.
  • Shane Hammond University of Massachusetts, Amherst

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24059/olj.v19i1.517

Keywords:

Technology, discussion, Uvize, mentoring

Abstract

This paper presents two unique yet confluent perspectives regarding the use of technology to support student veterans in college, and is meant to ignite discussion of the blending of high impact practices with technology to promote their academic success. The authors highlight the historical trends of student veterans in the academy and discuss the barriers to success for this unique population of students. Uvize, an online mentoring and advising platform for student veterans, is introduced with an overview of the creation of the program and preliminary results from three forward thinking institutions. This article further defines why student veterans are a special student population on our campuses and require unique services to support their overall academic success. Theoretical and pragmatic technology based solutions for student veteran successes are presented.

Author Biographies

David Cass, University of Colorado, Boulder Uvize Inc.

Dave Cass the founder of Uvize, an education technology company with a focus on academic planning tools for student veterans. He is also an adjunct professor of business at the University of Colorado, Boulder and the author of The Strategic Student Veteran: “Successfully Transitioning from the Military to College Academics”. Dave is a Navy Lieutenant Commander and helicopter pilot in both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Shane Hammond, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Dr. Shane Hammond is a demonstrated scholar-practitioner in higher education with diverse experience in student affairs administration and leadership. Currently serving on the graduate faculty in Higher Education Leadership & Management at the University of Massachusetts, Dr. Hammond has worked tirelessly to support the creation of model student veteran programs in the state of Massachusetts. His on-going research of student veterans in higher education provide empirical insight into the identity of student veterans who have experienced combat.

References

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Published

2014-12-17

Issue

Vol. 19 No. 1 (2015)

Section

Military Online Education Best Practices

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