Training available to support military-connected students

A resource to better understand and support military-connected students is available for faculty, staff and student employees. 

The 30-minute, online training program covers topics such as military culture, common challenges faced by veterans and support services available to students veterans, or military-connected students, which refers to individuals who have served or are currently serving in the military. 

Steven Lipnicki, assistant dean of students, said the goal of the training is to give individuals more confidence when they work with or assist military-connected students — a growing population at Grand Valley.

More than 400 students with a military background are enrolled at Grand Valley this year, and Michigan has seen a 17 percent increase in students pursuing higher education since 2010's Post 9/11 Bill was enacted. 

"As we seek to best support this growing cohort of students, it is our responsibility to create an environment that is supportive and to take steps to better understand the possible challenges these individuals face in their transition to successful students," said Lipnicki. 

To take the course, go to www.kognitocampus.com/login. Use the enrollment key "michiganvets" to create a new user account, then follow the instructions. Individuals who complete the training will be entered to a win a prize. 

The training was developed by Kognito, a health simulation company. Financial support from the Consortium of Michigan Veterans Educators' grant from the Kresge Foundation gives all Michigan public universities free access to the online training program.