Gateway Veterans Higher Education Collaborative

The Gateway Veterans Higher Education Collaborative, a collective effort of several colleges and universities throughout the region, is a formal mechanism for professionals working with veterans in higher education to continuously collaborate to best support military-connected students.

This collaborative will convene periodically throughout the year for the purpose of networking across institutions; sharing information, best practices and resources; and training to promote continuous improvement and to build capacity on our respective campuses so we can best support our student veterans and other military-connected students.

Our target service population is military service members, veterans, and family members pursuing higher education in the region.

Join us for our next convening

  • Who: Campus veteran representatives (coordinators, directors and School Certifying Officials), campus student veteran chapter leadership, and other professionals working with or interested in building capacity to support veterans and military-connected students
  • What: Gateway Veterans Higher Education Collaborative
  • Where: Webster University, East Academic Building, Auditorium Room 102, 545 Garden Avenue, Webster Groves, MO 63119
  • When: Friday, February 28, 2020, with networking and refreshments from 8:45-9 am and meeting from 9 am – 12 pm. Lunch is provided.
  • Why: The St. Louis region would benefit from a mechanism for professionals working with veterans in higher education to continuously work together to best support military-connected students.

RSVP

Key Collaborative Features

  • Inclusive membership, with participation open to accredited schools and programs serving veterans
  • Members meet on a recurring basis (each semester or quarterly as decided by the group) for 2-3 hours each
  • Hosted at different campuses
  • Agenda items to include training, presentations and collaboration on specific topics
  • Online forum to share information and exchange communication in between convening events

Collaborative Membership

  • Higher education partners
    • Campus veteran representatives, coordinators and directors
    • Campus School Certifying Officials for Veteran Affairs (VA) educational benefits
    • Other higher educational faculty and staff working with or interested in building capacity to support military-connected students
  • Student Veterans of America (SVA) chapter representatives
  • Community agencies supporting veterans in higher education

Invited Regional Higher Education Institutions

  • 4-year colleges/universities: Central Methodist, Columbia, Fontbonne, Greenville, Harris-Stowe, Lincoln, Lindenwood, Maryville, McKendree, Missouri Baptist, Missouri Science and Technology, Missouri State, University of Missouri, Southeast Missouri State, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Saint Louis University, Stephens, Truman State, University of Illinois, University of Missouri – St. Louis, Washington University, Webster, Westminster, William Woods
  • Community colleges: Jefferson College, Lewis and Clark Community College, St. Charles Community College, St. Louis Community College, Southwestern Illinois College
  • Medical: A.T. Still, Goldfarb School of Nursing, Logan, Lutheran School of Nursing
  • Career/technical/trades: L’Ecole, Ranken, SIBA, Vatterott
  • Seminaries/theological: Aquinas, Concordia, Covenant, Eden, Kenrick-Glennon, Urshan
  • Other: Veterans Upward Bound

Sample Agenda

  • 8:30-9 am: Coffee, refreshments and networking*
  • 9-9:15 am: Opening session and introductions
  • 9:15-10 am: Session topic 1**
  • 10-10:45 am: Session topic 2**
  • 10:45-11 am: Around the room
  • 11-12: Working lunch* with networking, benchmarking, and information sharing

*Refreshments and lunch will be provided.

**Session topics may include presentations and training sessions from community, governmental or VA resources or discussion on topics of interest within the group.

Our Desired Outcomes

Collaborative Member Outcomes

  • Well networked with other members
  • Capacity to address evolving challenges and issues
  • Effective advisement and referrals to veteran and non-veteran resources

Student Outcomes

  • Campus connection and support
  • Increased pathways to undergraduate program completion
  • On-time graduation within their desired programs of study
  • Meaningful post-graduation career

Contact jennifer.goetz@wustl.edu for additional information.