Building a Flourishing Ecosystem of Military-Affiliated Enrollment, Engagement, Belonging, and Retention Across Your Campus

Date: 2/19/2025, 02:45 PM - 03:45 PM

Program Type: General Interest Session (50 minutes)

Professional Competencies: Advising and Supporting - Intermediate, Student Learning and Development - Intermediate

Content Areas: Campus and Student Activities, Student Academic Advising, Student Success, Veterans and Military-connected Students

Target Groups: Mid-level Student Affairs Professionals, Senior-Level Student Affairs Professional

Institution Types: Minority Serving Institutions, Small Colleges & Universities

Certification Domains: Student Learning, Development, and Success, Assessment and Evaluation

Abstract

Learn how to build a thriving ecosystem with your military-connected students using a strengths-based framework called the Ecological Validation Model (Hallett et al., 2024). Veteran Center staff from Saint Martin’s University will provide an overview of the model, outline how they have implemented it at their university, and present how the model has significantly affected enrollment, engagement, belonging, and retention trends. Participants will have an opportunity to apply the model and draft one measurable goal to implement at their institutions. 

Presenters

• Alexis Nelson
  Executive Director, Center for Student Success
  Saint Martin's University
• Deborah Conn
  Saint Martin's University
• Karel Saquing
  Military-affiliated Admission Counselor, Saint Martin's University
• Jorge Castillon Sierra
  Program Manager, Veterans Center, Saint Martin's University