Easing the transition for veterans

At 29, he's older than many of his classmates, and he served two tours in Iraq while active-duty in the Marines. Four years ago Karas made the transition from active-duty military to civilian. Part of this transition was returning to college.

“Attending college at the University of Michigan-Dearborn was always a goal of mine after finishing my military contract,” said Karas. “I chose UM-Dearborn because of the high standards set by the school and the amazing staff who helped me with my transition.”

As the wars wind down, veterans like Karas are flocking to college campuses. He is one of more than 200 student veterans at UM-Dearborn.

In the past year, UM-Dearborn administrators have worked to make the transition easier for veteran students, granting in-state tuition for all veterans, increasing the funding available for the Yellow Ribbon program, creating a veterans’ lounge in the University Center and hiring a full-time veterans’ affairs coordinator.

“It is essential that our incoming veterans know there is an active and supportive group of student veterans, faculty and staff on campus,” said Will Emerson, veterans’ affairs coordinator. “Veteran programming—such as creative writing workshops, films and social gatherings—is just part of how we ensure our veterans make a successful transition from life in the military to success at UM-Dearborn.”

There are currently two student organizations on campus, the Student Veterans Association (SVA) and the Association of Women Veterans (AOWV). The AOWV has organized numerous events on campus including a Veterans Creative Writing Workshop, a screening of the film Service: When Women Come Marching Home, and has brought the collaborative art project “Walk a Mile in Her Boots” display to the University Center.

“The Veterans Writing Workshop was a marvelous experience. It gave me insights into writing and confidence to submit my work. This has resulted in my being told that I will be published in at least two different places,” said Dennis Underwood, a veteran and the senior program manager in the Student Success Center.

Student Government also is proposing that veterans, as well as Reserve and ROTC students, get early registration priority starting in the fall of 2014.

“We believe in creating and advocating for an environment where students can succeed, and we see early registration as a tool for student success,” said Wedad Ibrahim, UM-Dearborn Student Government president. “We have begun discussions with not only the veterans affairs office but also with EMSL. This is a priority and we intend to see this succeed.”

For more information on programs for veterans on campus, contact Emerson at [email protected] or call the Veteran Affairs Office at 313-593-6594.