��Creating a Sense of Belonging for VETERANS���Veterans First Program �Las Positas College

Las Positas College – FLEX DAY�Spring 2024

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���Veterans First Program �Las Positas College

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Agenda

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• Welcome
• Video
• Demographics (National & LPC)
• Challenges in your Classroom/Solutions
• Veterans Success Coaches Support
• Veterans Voices - PANEL
• Closing w/Q&A

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Las Positas College – FLEX DAY�Spring 2024

Jennifer Lininger �Outreach Specialist (PT)

Trevor Penero

(with service dog, Luke)�Veterans Specialist (FT)

Jose Calderon�Veterans Counselor (FT)

Gino Marquand & �Edgar Reyes�Veterans Success �Coaches (PT)

Student Veterans Organization Officers 2023-24

Evelyn Andrews

Veteran Program �Supervisor

Jennifer Wherry�Veterans Counseling Assistant II (PT)

Las Positas College – FLEX DAY�Spring 2024

Veterans Success Coach Video

STEPHANIE WISE, Military Spouse – Silver Star

ALEID BARON�Army Dependent

Las Positas College – FLEX DAY�Spring 2024

Demographics at �Las Positas College

• Over 500 Military Affiliated�
• Active / Veteran / Reservist / Spouse / or Dependent�
• Many with the Goal of Transferring to CSU or UC�
• Approx 140-160 using VA Benefits

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Las Positas College – FLEX DAY�Spring 2024

National Statistics of Veterans

• Veteran Demographic – 24 to 35 Years Old

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• Starts College 7 Months After Separating

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• 70% First Generation�
• 67% State School Grads Come From a Community College

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• 43% Go On to Get a Masters

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Las Positas College – FLEX DAY�Spring 2024

Veterans Critical Theory�Deficiency Model

• Gap with academic preparedness
• Access to Childcare
• Average Debt -- $27K After Graduation
• Veterans Lack Friend / �Peer / Mentor or �Someone They Can �Relate to When �They Leave Service

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Las Positas College – FLEX DAY�Spring 2024

Challenges that Veterans Face in your Classroom?

Session Activity��1. Using Your Notebook, write down top 3 challenges that Veterans face in your classroom

2. Small Group - Dyads or Triads

3. Discuss Solutions

4. Share Information

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Las Positas College – FLEX DAY�Spring 2024

Sense of Belonging @ LPC – Where does it start?�Pipeline: Prospective Student to Graduation

Support, Connection to Resources, Collaboration

Veterans Success Coaches

Las Positas College – FLEX DAY�Spring 2024

Veterans Success Coaches

Signature Programs & Services

Las Positas College – FLEX DAY�Spring 2024

Connection with Community

City Serve - basic needs resource office that helps with housing, food, and clothing services.

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Insight Housing - Provides housing resources and transitional housing resources.

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Swords to Plowshare - Assistance with housing, employment opportunities, and navigating claims.

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Vet Center - Assistance with �navigating Veterans Affairs, �food banks, mental health �resources.

Veterans Success Coaches

Sense of Belonging: From Boots to Books

Las Positas College – FLEX DAY�Spring 2024

VETERANS SUCCESS COACHES�We are so much more than the title

MENTORSHIP:

• We provide that sense of mentorship and/or friendship that was lost when leaving the military.�
• As their mentors, we take a holistic approach to identifying the veterans needs. We then see what we can do to help them find joys in their educational journey.

TRANSITION:

• As Veterans Success Coaches, we help with the Veterans transition from a military lifestyle to a civilian lifestyle.

EMPOWERMENT:

• Our goal is to empower veterans, and have their reintegration go as smooth as possible.

Las Positas College – FLEX DAY�Spring 2024

Veterans Success Coaches

Sense of Belonging: From Boots to Books

Veterans Voices – Stories - PANEL

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• Stephanie Wise (Marine Spouse)�

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• Jovan Pierre (Army Veteran)

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• Dominic Provenzola (Army Veteran)�

• Will Tabke (USMC Veteran)

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Las Positas College – FLEX DAY�Spring 2024

Thank you CEVSS Grant! �Dept of Education Center for Excellence Veteran Student Success�Questions?

Appreciate this opportunity to

speak with you!

Veterans First Program at �Las Positas College!�

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Contact Info:�Evelyn Andrews �eandrews@laspositascollege.edu�phone: 925.424.1572�

Las Positas College – FLEX DAY�Spring 2024