Student Spotlight
Congratulations to Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Cadet Cormac O’Halloran, senior Political Science major in the College of Arts & Sciences, who was named as one of the top ten Army cadets in the nation.
Ten college seniors from universities across the country have been selected by Cadet Command as the top Army ROTC cadets for its annual national order-of-merit list. Cadet Command annually rank-orders its ROTC seniors, with the top 20 percent earning the designation of Distinguished Military Graduate.
This list is compiled based on several criteria, including grade point average, strong performance on the Army Physical Fitness Test, college athletic participation, and performance during college ROTC training and Advanced Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky. These cadets are scheduled to be commissioned in 2018.
Have you accomplished something notable that you’d like to share with your peers? Do you have a military-connected student you’d like to highlight? Emailjennifer.goetz@wustl.edu to share the good news!
Around Campus
WUVets Food Drive
Beginning Monday, January 29th, WUVets, Midwest Veterans Service Alliance and the Girl Scouts of Avery Elementary will be collecting food for elementary age children who are food vulnerable in the poorest zip codes in the St. Louis area. The food drive will provide kids with backpacks full of food to take home over the weekends.
Collection boxes will be at the Brown School (Goldfarb and Brown Halls) and the Law School beginning Monday, January 29th through Friday, February 2nd.
The following items are needed. Please keep in mind we want food that’s easy to cook in a microwave or does not need to be cooked as we don’t want children using stoves.
Some ideas:
Cereal
Oatmeal
Microwave meals like macaroni or stew or soup
Applesauce and pudding
Protein bars
Ramen
Peanut butter
Jelly
Beanie weenies and beans
Meal pouches
Ramen cups
Anything else that a child ages 5-12 could eat and cook by themselves.
Thank you so much for supporting these children!
Our event will be at 5:30 on Friday at Avery Elementary School, where we will unload the food for the Girl Scouts to pack into backpacks. We will then come back at approximately 7pm to load the food back up and take to the St Louis food bank for the area Elementary schools. We might grab dinner while the girls pack or hang out! Come help us help our community.
Bear Balance Program
During the Months of January, February and March, the WashU Fitness and Nutrition committee will provide members the attention and support they need to help keep track of their fitness levels by offering complimentary measurements and fitness assessments. The committee will also provide advice and information about all of the fitness and nutrition programs that are happening on campus. Everyone who gets their measurements done each month will be entered into a raffle to win a $100 Target gift card.
http://rec.wustl.edu/programs/BearFit/BearBalance
Annual Graduate Student Health Forum
The Graduate Student Senate is hosting a university-wide graduate student health forum during which students can hear more about the multiple health and wellness services on campus, ask important questions about resources and insurance, and – of course – there will be lunch provided. Please encourage your students to register for the event! Details on the flyer below and RSVP here.
Upcoming Events
VFW Transition and Employment Services Webinars
VFW is hosting a series of webinars throughout the year to support veterans in their transition and finding employment.
Feb. 6 2 p.m. CST — Secrets of Working with Recruiters & Hiring Managers
Mar. 6 2 p.m. CST — Building a Powerful Online Presence
Apr. 3 2 p.m. CST — How to Find and Work With a Mentor
Register for upcoming webinars here.
NAMI Family-to-Family Educational Program
The St. Louis VA is collaborating with NAMI to bring the Family-to-Family educational program to Jefferson Barracks. NAMI Family-to-Family is an educational course for family, caregivers and friends of individuals living with mental illness. Family-to-Family meets for twelve 2.5 hour sessions. Information and resources are provided at no cost to the participants. This program is designed for loved ones (over age 18) of individuals living with mental illness.
The class starts Wednesday, February 21 and ends Wednesday, May 9th. Registration is required. Additional information is available in the program flyer.
Register at https://www.namistl.org/event-registration/?ee=4675
Veterans Film Camp
This is the second year St. Louis Public Library is offering a FREE Veterans Film Camp. They are offering two five week camps, meeting Saturdays from 10-1. The camp dates are March 3 to 31 or April 7 to May 5. The camps are led by Aaron Holdmeyer and Brian Spath. Both have worked and taught extensively in the film industry. Those attending will learn the basics in creating a short video, including voice overs, adding music and credits, and editing techniques. It is recommended to attend all five sessions from beginning to end to get the full impact of the workshop. The Veteran Film Camp, along with the Veteran Writers Workshop and Scribblers for Veterans, are programs designed to give veterans the ability to tell and share their stories.
To register, go to
https://slpl.bibliocommons.com/events/search/index, use the search box to search for “film camp” and pick the sessions you wish to attend. Or, you can call or email Scott Morris at 314-539-0336, smorris@slpl.org.
Scholarships, Fellowships & Internships
VET Initiative Internship
The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars (TWC) invites undergraduate and graduate student veterans of all majors and career interests to apply for the summer 2018 Veterans Employment Trajectory (VET) Initiative, a fully-funded professional immersion and academic opportunity.
The VET Initiative is not just for those wishing to start a career in Washington, D.C. or designed for any specific academic major. Participants are provided with an individual internship experience with one-on-one career coaching and mentoring to meet any student veteran’s academic and career aspirations.
As a proud partner of SVA, the VET Initiative and the Washington Center are committed to providing SVA members and student veterans from across the country with a unique internship and veteran transition experience individualized to your career goals.
In case you missed their recent webinar or would like to review some of the information they covered about the program, application process, or the list of example internship sites, you can watch a previous recording of the webinar here. Also you can watch a fellow SVA member speak about their experience and participation in the VET Initiative.
Deadline to apply is February 14.
http://www.twc.edu/internships/additional-programs/veterans-employment-trajectory-initiative
Pat Tillman Foundation Fellowship
Through a premier fellowship program, our mission is to unite and empower remarkable military veterans and spouses as the next generation of public and private sector leaders committed to service beyond self. The program supports Tillman Scholars with academic scholarships, a national network, and professional development opportunities so they are empowered to make an impact on the world. Since the program’s inception, PTF has named more than 520 Tillman Scholars at more than 100 institutions nationwide.
Applications to become a 2018 Tillman Scholar will open Feb. 1, 2018 and close March 1, 2018 at 11:59p.m. PT. The scholarship assists with academic expenses, and can be used for tuition and fees, living expenses, and books. 2018 Tillman Scholars can expect an average award of $10,000. But, scholars receive much more than just funding. Our program unites the best talent and leadership in the military community to make a significant impact in the fields of medicine, law, business, policy, technology, education and the arts.
http://pattillmanfoundation.org/apply-to-be-a-scholar/
Veterans in Global Leadership Fellowship
Veterans in Global Leadership (VGL) is currently accepting applications from exceptional student veterans for the 2018-2019 year-long fellowship program. We seek a diverse group of fellows with a range of personal and professional backgrounds and service histories, including both former officers and enlisted personnel. Strong preference for candidates with a passion for service, a commitment to assist other veterans, an entrepreneurial spirit, and proven leadership skills. Women and minorities are highly encouraged to apply.
Application Deadline: 30 April 2018. We will notify accepted fellows June 1st via email.
Wells Fargo Veterans Scholarship Program
The Wells Fargo Veterans Scholarship Program provides scholarships up to $7,000 per year, to fill gaps for veterans and the spouses of disabled veterans after military benefits and other grants and scholarships have been utilized. To help recipients focus on completing their degree, these scholarships are renewable, and award amounts will grow by $1,000 each year. Deadline to apply is February 28.
https://www.scholarsapply.org/wellsfargoveterans
AUSA – St. Louis Gateway Chapter Scholarship
AUSA is pleased to announce that availability of merit scholarships. These scholarships typically range from $1,000 to $2,500. These scholarships recognize a student’s academic and leadership achievements and are available to high school seniors, Army personnel and Army ROTC students in the Gateway Chapter territory.Deadline to apply in March 6.
Raytheon Patriot Scholarship
Two $10,000 scholarships are provided to student veterans demonstrating a commitment to and passion for their chosen field of study, as well as demonstrated leadership and engagement within their community. The 2018 Raytheon Patriot Scholarship is offered exclusively to U.S. Army veterans, and is named after Raytheon’s Patriot Air and Missile Defense System. The application will remain open until April 10th, 2018 at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time. You must complete an online application, answer three essay questions, attach the required documents, and have one letter of reference be submitted prior to the deadline to be considered.
http://studentveterans.org/programs/scholarships?layout=edit&id=705
Comcast NBC Universal Scholarship
NBC Universal is committed to increasing diversity both on the air and behind the scenes. Doing so provides a secure, powerful, and competitive advantage in the media and entertainment industry. As part of this commitment, we’re supporting two $12,000 scholarships to any eligible student veteran! The 2018 NBCUniversal SVA Scholarship application will remain open until April 10th, 2018 at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time.
http://studentveterans.org/programs/scholarships?layout=edit&id=706
Other Resources & Opportunities
Wells Fargo Emergency Grant Program
Wells Fargo’s emergency grant program helps veterans already enrolled in postsecondary education meet their household expenses when faced with unexpected financial setbacks. Ranging up to $1,000, these immediate, one-time grants are designed to keep recipients in school without creating undue financial hardship.
https://www.scholarsapply.org/wellsfargoveteransemergency/
Student Veterans of America
SVA provides military veterans with the resources, support, and advocacy needed to succeed in higher education and following graduation. SVA provides financial and educational assistance to student veteran organizations established on university and college campuses across the U.S., aimed at assisting with the transition of veterans who have served, or are serving, the the U.S. military into campus life and civilian community; offers financial and educational assistance to student veterans attending colleges and universities in the U.S.; and educates and informs student veterans regarding the rights and opportunities which are available to them as veterans through federal, state and local governments and their respective institutions.
Veterati
Veterati is a free mentorship platform for servicemembers, veterans, and military spouses to access unlimited mentors. These mentors are successful professionals volunteering to serve those who have served our country. Their mission is to transform job search from a painful experience into an inspiring journey through the power of mentorship!
Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans
The Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV), a program through Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families, offers cutting-edge, experiential training in entrepreneurship and small business management to post-9/11 veterans by leveraging the skills, resources and infrastructure of higher education. The EBV Consortium is composed of ten world-class institutions across the country and each school hosts an EBV program throughout the year. All expenses are covered by the program to include transportation, lodging, food and textbooks. EBV does not require use of the GI Bill or Vocational Rehabilitation benefits. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
2018 course locations (refer to the EBV site for course dates):
- Saint Joseph’s University
- University of Missouri
- Syracuse University
- University of Connecticut
- Purdue
Dates coming soon:
- Florida State University
- Louisiana State University
- Texas A&M University
- University of California Los Angeles
- Cornell University (Food & Beverage Service Only)
Pymetrics
Pymetrics allows student veterans to explore new career roles and get matched to open positions with employers. SVA members will be guided to career fields that are a good long-term fit based on their cognitive, emotional, and social profile.
https://www.pymetrics.com/welcome/student-veterans-of-america/