| John Schupp has taken an idea that was inspired by | | | | veteran-only student during each subsequent year |
| a struggling student in a Chemistry class and created | | | | until their senior year, where only three credit hours |
| a program that is rapidly gaining momentum. Dr. | | | | are with veteran-only students. The feedback to |
| Schupp is helping veteran students succeed in the | | | | date has been so favorable that other institutions are |
| college classroom by working with institutions of | | | | starting to follow suit. |
| higher learning to create an environment that is more | | | | The class offerings include general education courses, |
| conducive to the needs of returning veterans. | | | | like English, Math, Science, and History. The students |
| In spring 2008, Cleveland State University started | | | | are taught from a briefing standpoint and are eased |
| implementing veteran only courses for student | | | | into the more typical lecture setting of courses. |
| veterans on campus - this is part of the SERV | | | | Essentially, they are grouped together as a troop |
| (Supportive Education for the Returning Veteran) | | | | again, creating a familiar environment. Since John |
| Program. Schupp's research has helped him determine | | | | created the SERV Program, he has seen student |
| three key reasons that veteran students were | | | | success increase among all student veterans who are |
| struggling in class: | | | | participating in SERV. But more data is needed. |
| 1. First Day on campus was chaotic; veteran student | | | | Consequently, Dr. Schupp is currently traveling to all |
| didn't know where to go or who to talk to | | | | of the public campuses in Ohio (his home state) to |
| 2. Very little structure on campus exists in | | | | determine the following: |
| comparison to the military life | | | | 1. The number of veterans on campus since fall 2008. |
| 3. Classes/Curriculum were not well suited to | | | | This will help determine the impact of the new GI Bill. |
| veterans' mental paradigms, making it hard to | | | | He is also looking for data on how the delay of |
| concentrate in this new academic environment that is | | | | payment impacts the college or university as well as |
| typically unstructured | | | | the veteran. |
| An important element in Schupp's solution is the | | | | 2. How the students were enrolled as freshmen and |
| creation of veteran only classes, where students | | | | how the school processed them, including the |
| know that their others in the class have also been | | | | paperwork and administrative requirements. |
| exposed to a similar set of circumstances. It's a | | | | 3. How can schools attract and serve 50% of the |
| classroom where the instructor understands the | | | | veterans in the community. |
| uniqueness of these experiences and adapts both | | | | As previously stated, other schools are following suit. |
| the structure of the classroom and curriculum to | | | | In addition to Cleveland State University, the |
| better meet their learning style. Without a program | | | | University of Arizona, Ohio State University, and |
| like this, Schupp believes that more veteran students | | | | Youngstown State University are all providing similar |
| will become dissatisfied and simply drop out without | | | | programs. |
| getting their degree. "We cannot change the | | | | SERV is beginning to make a difference to veteran |
| student," Schupp said, "but we can change the | | | | students. In Schupp's words, "This country needs this |
| environment." | | | | latest generation of our best, brightest and bravest |
| Today, Cleveland State University offers courses for | | | | to be educated and graduated. We need them to |
| student veterans throughout their academic career. | | | | move out into the job market and bring back those |
| Students who participate in this optional program | | | | characteristics that made this country so great. |
| begin their freshmen year with 12 credit hours of | | | | Self-reliance, working together for the common goal, |
| courses where there are only other veterans in their | | | | and putting the good of their employees, their |
| classes. The SERV program slowly transitions these | | | | constituents and this country first, ahead their own |
| students into classes with civilian students by | | | | personal gain. |
| reducing the number of credit hours with | | | | |