{"id":4455,"date":"2023-01-19T14:59:39","date_gmt":"2023-01-19T14:59:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/?p=4455"},"modified":"2025-03-27T17:52:08","modified_gmt":"2025-03-27T21:52:08","slug":"supporting-those-who-serve-how-wilmu-works-for-military-connected-students","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/2023\/01\/19\/supporting-those-who-serve-how-wilmu-works-for-military-connected-students\/","title":{"rendered":"Supporting Those Who Serve: How WilmU Works for Military-Connected Students"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.kadence-column4455_cd3941-63 > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);}.kadence-column4455_cd3941-63 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column4455_cd3941-63 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column4455_cd3941-63 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column4455_cd3941-63 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column4455_cd3941-63 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column4455_cd3941-63 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column4455_cd3941-63{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column4455_cd3941-63 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 991px){.kadence-column4455_cd3941-63 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column4455_cd3941-63 dynamic-main-col\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4455_e77c85-5b, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4455_e77c85-5b[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4455_e77c85-5b\"]{font-size:1.5rem;line-height:1.2;font-weight:500;font-style:italic;font-family:proxima-nova;color:#808080;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4455_e77c85-5b mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4455_e77c85-5b[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4455_e77c85-5b\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4455_e77c85-5b img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4455_e77c85-5b[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4455_e77c85-5b\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading4455_e77c85-5b wu-subheading wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4455_e77c85-5b\">For many military service members and veterans, a college degree represents a key step in the transition to civilian life.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHigher education serves as a critical component to long-term success while volunteering to serve, as well as after service,\u201d says James Webb, director of military affairs for Wilmington University. \u201cA wealth of opportunities exist, and when they\u2019re combined with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/military\/military_tuition.aspx\">military and veterans\u2019 education benefits<\/a>, the pursuit of higher education ensures competitiveness in and out of uniform.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>WilmU works for military-connected students and has for decades. In December 2020, the University joined more than 2,000 colleges and universities nationwide to demonstrate a commitment to service members, veterans, and their families when President Dr. LaVerne Harmon signed a pledge to implement and uphold the Eight Keys to Veterans\u2019 Success.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Eight Keys program, developed in collaboration between the U.S. Departments of Education and Veterans Affairs, outlines the steps that educational institutions can take to support current and former service members on their way to academic and career goals.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>&#8220;We want to ensure that our military-connected students have a smooth transition from service to campus life and beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n<cite>\u2014 James Webb, <em>Wilmington University Director of Military Affairs<\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe program helps to ensure that schools provide a welcoming and consistent learning environment, and WilmU is committed to them,\u201d says Webb. \u201cWe want to ensure that our military-connected students have a smooth transition from service to campus life and beyond.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ed.gov\/veterans-and-military-families\/8-keys-success-sites\">The Eight Keys to Veterans\u2019 Success recommend<\/a> that colleges and universities:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Create a culture of trust and connectedness across the campus community to promote well-being and success for veterans.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ensure consistent and sustained support from campus leadership.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Implement an early alert system to ensure all veterans receive academic, career, and financial advice before challenges become overwhelming.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Coordinate and centralize campus efforts for all veterans, together with the creation of a designated space for them (even if limited in size).&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Collaborate with local communities and organizations, including government agencies, to align and coordinate various services for veterans.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Utilize a uniform set of data tools to collect and track information on veterans, including demographics, retention, and degree completion.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Provide comprehensive professional development for faculty and staff on issues and challenges unique to veterans.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Develop systems that ensure sustainability of effective practices for veterans.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWilmU meets or exceeds the criteria outlined in the Eight Keys,\u201d says Webb. \u201cPlus, we\u2019re continually identifying and enhancing support services for military students and their families.\u201d&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Wilmington University currently serves more than 1,500 military-connected students. Two-thirds of them are pursuing undergraduate degrees, 30% are graduate students, and 3% are doctoral candidates. Seventeen percent are on active duty, 56% are veterans, and 27% are dependents.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of those students is U.S. Navy veteran, <strong>Stephen Strosser<\/strong>. He earned his bachelor\u2019s degree in criminal justice from WilmU prior to his service and then chose to re-enroll in a doctoral program while stationed abroad.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image4455_2f89e5-65 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image4455_2f89e5-65\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"525\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Blog_SupportingThoseWhoServe-StephenStrosser_01-23.jpg\" alt=\"Dr. Stephen Strosser\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-4457\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Blog_SupportingThoseWhoServe-StephenStrosser_01-23.jpg 800w, https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Blog_SupportingThoseWhoServe-StephenStrosser_01-23-250x164.jpg 250w, https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Blog_SupportingThoseWhoServe-StephenStrosser_01-23-731x480.jpg 731w, https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Blog_SupportingThoseWhoServe-StephenStrosser_01-23-768x504.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Blog_SupportingThoseWhoServe-StephenStrosser_01-23-300x197.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption>Dr. Stephen Strosser<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAs a military student, Wilmington University was very helpful to me,\u201d says Strosser. \u201cEvery time I\u2019m on the phone [with WilmU] or speaking to a person for the first time, the first thing they respond back to me with is \u2018Thank you for your service,\u2019 and that makes me feel welcomed and appreciated.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Strosser cites WilmU\u2019s flexibility as a key to his success. \u201cThe biggest thing that WilmU has helped with is flexibility,\u201d he notes. \u201cI was initially overseas when I first got into my program. Most of the work is done online, so it is also good for adult learners who are working.\u201d <strong>Hear more of Stephen\u2019s WilmU story <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=cus1kI2ms5A\"><strong>here<\/strong><\/a><strong>.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wilmington University is proud to support those who serve. For more information about how WilmU works for military students and their families, please visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/military\/index.aspx\">wilmu.edu\/Military<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For many military service members and veterans, a college degree represents a key step in the transition to civilian life.&nbsp; \u201cHigher education serves as a&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":4456,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[163],"tags":[431,432],"class_list":["post-4455","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifewilmu","tag-military","tag-veterans"],"acf":[],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":163,"label":"LIFE@WILMU"}],"post_tag":[{"value":431,"label":"Military"},{"value":432,"label":"Veterans"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Blog_SupportingThoseWhoServe-FeaturedImage_01-23-480x480.jpg",480,480,true],"author_info":{"display_name":"Rachel Marchione","author_link":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/author\/rachel\/"},"comment_info":0,"category_info":[{"term_id":163,"name":"LIFE@WILMU","slug":"lifewilmu","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":720,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":90,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":163,"category_count":90,"category_description":"","cat_name":"LIFE@WILMU","category_nicename":"lifewilmu","category_parent":0}],"tag_info":[{"term_id":431,"name":"Military","slug":"military","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":988,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":3,"filter":"raw"},{"term_id":432,"name":"Veterans","slug":"veterans","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":989,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":1,"filter":"raw"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4455","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4455"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4455\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17593,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4455\/revisions\/17593"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4456"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4455"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4455"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4455"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}