Student Veterans of America

SVA’s mission is not only to provide support to student veterans during their transition from military to campus life, but also in finding meaningful post-graduation employment.  To achieve this, ACP and SVA have partnered to offer student veterans opportunities to participate in ACP’s Veteran Mentoring Program, connecting Veteran Protégés with Corporate Mentors for a yearlong mentorship.  Each Protégés/Mentor relationship is unique and focuses on individual’s career objectives and professional experiences to prepare student veterans for their transition into corporate America. 

On May 22nd, ACP hosted a Happy Hour for Protégés in the Washington, DC area.  The event provided an opportunity for Protégés to grow their local and larger networks by connecting with ACP Founder Sid Goodfriend and other veterans, servicemembers, and ACP Mentors.  Retired General and former CIA Director David Petraeus also made a surprise appearance at the event.  General Petraeus recently joined the ACP’s distinguished Advisory Board.

SVA’s director of operations, Angela Xhakolli, and her husband (pictured above with General Petraeus) both attended the Wednesday evening event as current ACP protégés.  Angela, who recently transitioned out of the military, started the mentoring program earlier in 2013 and has already connected with her mentor virtually and via phone to discuss career objectives, interview preparation, and networking opportunities.  Even if you choose to connect with a mentor who is not local, she says, “the program is truly beneficial in preparing veterans to transition out of active duty.”

For more information on ACP and the Veteran Mentoring Program, check out SVA’s Partners and Sponsors. 

On the morning of May 21, American Legion Post 24 hosted members of Congress to discuss the Troop Talent Act of 2013.  Senator Kaine and Congresswoman Duckworth provided an update on the piece of legislation, a bipartisan bill designed to ease the transition of servicemembers from active duty to the civilian workforce.  Senator Kaine introduced S. 700 in early April as his first piece of legislation during his Senate term, with Congresswoman Duckworth sponsoring a companion measure, H.R. 1796, on the House floor just a few weeks later.  The Troop Talent Act of 2013 looks to reduce veteran unemployment levels by improving the alignment of skills acquired in the military with civilian certifications or licenses required for post-service employment. 

Local leadership, including the Alexandria City Mayor and the George Washington University SVA chapter president was in attendance in addition to representatives from the VFW and Student Veterans of America. 

To read SVA’s full press release on the Troop Talent Act of 2013, click here. 

Chapter of the Month: Vets4Vets

Vets4Vets, the SVA chapter at University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, has knocked on a lot of doors this year as they try to establish a veterans resource center on their campus.  From the chancellor, to the provost, to the dean of students, they have made sure that the administration knows the value veterans bring to the campus community.  

But, advocacy isn’t the only way this chapter is making noise. They’ve hosted dances, raised money for the Special Olympics, sent care packages overseas, and placed flags at local cemeteries for Memorial Day.

Next year, they plan on solidifying partnerships with the administration, fellow student groups, and local VSOs to ensure that veterans are not only helping each other, but the greater Green Bay community as well. Whatever project they are pursuing, the goal of Vets4Vets is to create camaraderie between their members.  

“SVA Chapters are vital to bringing out the best of the best,” Ken Corry, the chapter president said. “Some of us may fail in something, but with the support of SVA national and our local chapters, you always know that someone has your back-guiding you to the best course of action.”

The Department of Veteran Affairs held a meeting with key non-government organizations on May 15 to discuss Public-Private Partnership policy efforts within the administration.  During the brief, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki addressed key elements for successful partnerships, including due diligence and vetting.

SVA engages in a number of private-public partnerships to achieve its mission of providing student veterans with the advocacy. resources, and support needed to succeed in higher education.  The VA, the National Student Clearinghouse and SVA recently entered one such partnership, aimed at tracking the success of student veterans at the national level. 

The Department of Justice, in conjunction with the Federal Trade Commission and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, held a briefing at the American Legion’s Washington D.C. office to discuss consumer complaint systems and protections dedicated to military veterans, servicemembers, and their families.  SVA executive director, Michael Dakduk, new director of operations, Angela Xhakolli, and VA representatives attended the briefing, held Tuesday, May 14. 

On April 27, SVA chapters gathered at the Southern California Student Veteran Summit, an event hosted by Pasadena City College (PCC) to bring together student veteran groups, higher ed administrators, and community leaders from around the region to showcase best practices for supporting veterans on various campuses in Southern California.  Executive director Michael Dakduk addressed the summit, applauding SVA chapters and veteran supporters in the community for their collaborative efforts to help student veterans succeed.  The summit included a student veteran organization panel and a brief address from the PCC group adviser. 

Metroshot LLC photo

Santa Monica College hosted a lunch and informal networking reception April 24^th at American Legion Post 283 in the Pacific Palisades.  The event, coordinated by Santa Monica College Chapter President Shaphan Koresland, provided Southern California chapters an opportunity to meet one another and speak with SVA executive director Michael Dakduk during his multi-state visit on the West Coast.

This two-hour event brought together chapters and leaders from across the region and highlighted the important work that is being done at the grassroots level.

American Legion Post 283 has begun to work closely with the student veterans and SVA chapter at Santa Monica College, donating over $80,000 to the school for veteran counseling and support on campus.  During the luncheon, Legionnaires who served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars reiterated their commitment to supporting student veterans both on campus and throughout the community. 

At the national level, the relationship between SVA and the American Legion has flourished over the past five years as the organizations partner to support important initiatives and legislation regarding the Post 9/11 GI Bill and the VA backlog. 

At the highest level, however, the associations agree: the strength of both organizations is rooted in the members that gather at chapters and posts around the country.  On Capitol Hill and in our communities, SVA and the American Legion bring valuable assets to the table that provide veterans with the advocacy and resources needed to succeed in higher education and strengthen the veteran community base as a whole.

Some chapter members traveled two hours for the luncheon, with attendees coming from chapters at College of the Desert, University of Southern California, California State University Long Beach, Thomas Jefferson School of Law, Pasadena City College and ICDC College.  Post 283 Commander Kurt Hiete and 1^st Vice Commander Dave Borgeson, among other Legionnaires, met with student veterans and SVA leaders. 

Presenters and luncheon conversations focused on networking, community building, and combat-campus-career transitions and stressed the importance of grassroots advocacy.  Mr. Dakduk also highlighted the work being done by SVA at the national level to address reinstating break-pay and the American Legion’s state-by-state efforts to address licensing and credentialing.

It was a great afternoon spent with dedicated and inspiring individuals!  Thank you to everyone who made the trek to join us last Wednesday, and for the support of Post 283 and all of those who have partnered with SVA chapters across the country ensure the success of student veterans. 

On April 20, 2013, the Veterans and Family Student Association (VFSA) at University of Oregon celebrated the opening of the new Student Veterans Center with an official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.  The hour and a half event began outside the center in the Erb Memorial Union (EMU) Amphitheater.  Attendees were welcomed by the school band and a tented stage flanked by the United States and military service flags. 

University of Oregon alumni and veteran supporters Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Congressman Peter Defazio (D-OR) spoke during the afternoon ceremony, both recollecting how different the campus and political environment was 40 years ago when Vietnam veterans returned home to pursue a degree at an intuition of higher learning.  SVA executive director Michael Dakduk, who delivered the keynote address, also commented on the great strides University of Oregon has taken to become a more veteran friendly campus, but reminded administrators and students in attendance that there is still much work to be done.  

“Student veterans at this SVA chapter have worked tirelessly to support one another during their transition and have been determined in their efforts to overcome roadblocks in the administration to see this center built.  Thanks to their tenacity and to campus community support, we celebrate the opening of the Student Veteran Center.  I hope to see the VFSA work closely with the University of Oregon administration to institutionalize more supports and resources for student veterans on campus today, and those who will surely come in the future.”

-Michael Dakduk, executive director, SVA

When he returns, Mr. Dakduk said he would like to see steps being taken towards hiring a full-time director of the Student Veterans Center and priority enrollment for student veterans at the University of Oregon. 

Jonathan Brunton, master of the ceremony and co-director of the VFSA, thanked the administration, particularly the interim director of the EMU Wendy Polhemus and Vice President for Student Affairs Robin Holmes, for their efforts in supporting and advocating on behalf of student veterans at the University of Oregon.  He also thanked FedEx for generously donating a large portion of their allotted space in the EMU to the VFSA, without which, Mr. Brunton says, the Student Veteran Center could not have been created.

The outdoor ceremony was followed by the ribbon cutting, refreshments, and an informal networking reception within the Student Veteran Center.  Other notable attendees from the community were members from the VFW, American Legion, and Oregon State University VFSA. 

April 16, 2013, SVA attended the first House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Veterans Service Organization Roundtable of the 113th Congress. 

The event, hosted by Chairman Miller, brought together HVAC members and congressional leaders for an off-the-record discussion regarding perennial-veterans-related challenges such as the VA’s benefits claims backlog and mental health care access. 

“VSOs give veterans a voice on Capitol Hill, so it’s important for us to listen to what they have to say.  [The] event was a great opportunity to have a candid discussion about what our committee has been doing to improve the lives of veterans, and our priorities for the 113th Congress as well as those of the VSO community.  The input and support of America’s VSOs has been invaluable to our work at the committee over the past two years, and I look forward to strengthening our partnership as we work to ensure our veterans receive the care and benefits they deserve.”

-Chairman Miller, House Veterans’ Affairs Committee

Earlier this year, Chairman Miller introduced H.R. 357, a bill that would waive residency requirements for tuition rate purposes for student veterans.  During the rountable, SVA representatives reiterated their support for the bill and intentions to continue to work closely with HVAC and colleagues at the VFW and American Legion to move this legislation through Congress. 

Chairman of Student Veterans of America’s Board of Directors, Rodrigo Garcia, was proud to attend a speaking engagement at Illinois State University on April 8th.  During the evening event Mr. Garcia toured the veteran resource center on campus, met with Veterans at Illinois State leadership, and delivered an address followed by a Q&A session.