Military & Veteran Services Newsletter

October 14, 2017

Student Veteran Spotlight

Congratulations to Tim Leiser, 1st year MBA Army student veteran, who was selected to attend the Student Veterans of America 2017 Leadership Institute program on October 19-22 at the George W. Bush Presidential Center, Dallas, TX. The Leadership Institute is a very selective program and involves intensive leadership training. Tim, we look forward to hearing about your experience!

Do you have a student veteran you would to highlight? Send an email to jennifer.goetz@wustl.edu.

Fellowships

Check out the following fellowships for student veterans and in some cases family members as well.

VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship
Application deadline is October 20th. The application process for the 2018 class of legislative fellows is open. The program, which is in its fourth year, is for VFW members who attend school on a campus with an approved SVA chapter. Ten student veterans are selected for the semester-long program. Focusing on real policy issues faced by veterans, the military and their families, the capstone of the program is participation in the 2018 VFW’s Legislative Conference. Travel expenses and per diem are included for those selected and many have also received academic credit for the program. https://www.vfw.org/studentfellowship

High Grounds Veterans Advocacy Fellowship
Application deadline is October 31st. Throughout a week of advocacy training in Washington, D.C., High Ground Vets are exposed to the nation’s largest Military and Veterans Service Organizations and they’re given a behind-the-scenes look at the lawmaking process. After training is complete, we encourage our High Ground Vets to pursue leadership roles in their local communities so that they can pass their knowledge on to others and work to expand their network and influence. https://www.highgroundvets.org/apply/

The Mission Continues
The Mission Continues Fellowship Program empowers post-9/11 veterans, Guardsmen and Reservists to deploy on new missions in their communities. Each fellowship combines volunteer service, professional development and personal growth to deliver a unique impact in the community. In return for their service, each Fellow receives a stipend provided by The Mission Continues along with personal coaching and mentorship from our staff. https://missioncontinues.org/fellowships/

Tillman Scholars
Founded in 2004, the Pat Tillman Foundation invests in military veterans and their spouses through academic scholarships – building a diverse community of leaders committed to service to others. Each year, up to 60 candidates are selected from thousands of applicants to be Tillman Scholars. These individuals are already making a difference in the fields of medicine, law, business, technology, education, the arts and more. http://pattillmanfoundation.org/apply-to-be-a-scholar/

Veterans Innovation Partnership
VIP Fellowships are open to U.S. Armed Forces Veterans and Transitioning U.S. Military who have completed a Master’s degree or higher in the preferred fields of International Business, International Relations/Affairs, Public Policy, Public Administration, or a related field. Eligible veterans must apply within two years of graduate degree completion, except for those precluded from doing so due to their U.S. Military service obligation, who will have up to six years after degree completion to apply. U.S. Armed Forces Reservists and National Guard Members are eligible, provided they have completed a minimum of two years of time in service. Successful applicants are placed in a dynamic developmental program. http://www.vipfellowship.org/

Veterans in Global Leadership
Each year, VGL selects 20-30 talented student veterans for its 12-month fellowship program that consists of leadership development, mentorship, workshops, networking and much more. The start of the 12-month fellowship program begins with the 4-Day Flagship Seminar at the end of each July. The 4-Day Flagship Seminar invites world-renowned speakers, highly trained instructors, newly selected VGL fellows, VGL alumni, corporate partners and VGL supporters. https://www.vetsgl.org/

Student Veterans of America (SVA) National Conference

Student Veterans of America’s 10th Annual National Conference will take place January 4 – 6, 2018 at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa in San Antonio, Texas. This is the nation’s largest gathering of post-9/11 veterans designed to empower tomorrow’s leaders. Next year, we decide how we’re going to shape the future of America and celebrate a decade of SVA’s impact in higher education! Next year we’re Defining Our Future.

October is the last month to register for NatCon2018 and receive the early bird pricing of $125 for student veterans and $200 for general attendees. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Come October 28, 2017, prices increase to $175 for student veterans and $300 for general attendees.

If you’re a student veteran, you can save $25 by providing your LinkedIn profile to be added to our professional network. Hurry now before rates increase the last week of October!

SVA Census

SVA needs your help. Being equipped with better data about student veterans enables us to make better decisions, develop better programs, and advocate for student veterans, military dependents, and their families. In order to be equipped with the latest and most up to date data, SVA conducts an annual Census survey. For the SVA Census to be successful, we need help getting the word out that the survey is open.

Follow this link to the SVA Census: Take the Survey

Or copy and paste the URL below into your internet browser: https://studentveterans.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8rfhdQcp50wrEW1?Q_CHL=email

The survey is for anyone who has or is currently serving in the U.S. Military and their dependents. You do not have to be currently enrolled to participate either; if you are on a leave of absence or an alumni you are encouraged to complete the SVA Census. You do not have to be attending, belong to, or involved in an SVA chapter to participate. The survey is focused on basic demographic information, such as age, gender, branch of military service, type of school, etc.

Upcoming Events

Return of the Warrior
Staged Classical Greek Reading directed by noted New York University Professor of Classics Peter Meineck. The production is on Thursday, November 2nd from 6:00 – 7:30 pm at Washington University’s Graham Chapel. The readers are comprised of veterans from the St. Louis region and students of Washington University.

Midwest Veterans Service Alliance (MVSA) Trivia Night
Join our very own Jesse Herman, 1st year MSW Army student veteran at the Brown School, and MVSA in celebrating a night of fun in support of one of the most deserving schools in a needed area of St. Louis City. MVSA is hosting its first annual trivia night on Saturday, November 4th at the VFW Post 2866, 66 VFW Lane, St. Charles, MO. Doors open at 6pm, trivia begins 7pm. Proceeds will benefit the Meramec Grade School in St. Louis to help facilitate a food closet/pantry to subsidize the food vulnerable population of the school. MVSA will establish a character enhancement program designed to influence leadership development and sound decision making. This program will establish the foundational pillars of Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship which will allow the students to grow and enhance their edification in an impactful and meaningful way. https://www.midwestvsa.org/trivia-night

Veterans Day Celebration
WUVets, Olin Veterans Association (OVA) and Law School Student Veterans Association (SVA) are planning this year’s Veterans Day celebration, scheduled for Friday, November 10th at 6 pm in the Edison Theater. Speakers include Senator Tammy Duckworth and former Secretary of the VA Bob McDonald, as well as several veteran panelists. See the schedule of events for additional information. RSVP early to guarantee your seat. WUVets, OVA and Law SVA are also looking for volunteers to support the event, so please contact them if interested.

The Mission Continues Veterans Day 2017
Report for duty in your community this November in honor of Veterans Day on November 11th. Mission Continues Service Platoons will be in action across the country by leading service projects, hosting social events and taking part in community celebrations. Join us to make a difference, swap stories, and meet other veterans, service members and supporters in your community. https://missioncontinues.org/veteransday/

LinkedIn/SVA Webinars
SVA and LinkedIn have partnered to bring in-depth training to student veterans with the goal of teaching them how to use LinkedIn effectively to get the career they desire. WUVets was selected as one of only six chapters of the 1500+ nationwide for this exciting and engaging opportunity. https://sites.wustl.edu/wuvets/2017/09/27/linkedin-sva-webinars/