Consistently recognized as a military-friendly university, Salem State continues to bring new initiatives to campus to support its 250 self-identified student veterans.
The Veterans on Campus training program is an interactive online course to help faculty and staff better understand the perspectives and unique needs of veterans in their classrooms. Developed through collaboration between Kognito Interactive and the Student Veterans of America, the program is built around a set of training simulations with virtual characters to practice responding to common challenges that arise on campus.
In one scenario, a student veteran approaches a staff member with questions about redeployment and her enrollment status. The user can select various responses and receive feedback to determine how to best serve the student. Other simulations include responding to psychological stress in individual students and conducting class discussions on military issues without putting veterans on the spot.
Sam Ohannesian, director of enrollment services and veterans鈥 affairs, credits Salem State鈥檚 commitment to recognizing each veteran鈥檚 individuality for its success in serving this population.
鈥淣o two veterans are alike,鈥 he said. 鈥淭heir reasons for enlisting are different; some were deployed overseas, while others served stateside. Some are coming to Salem State in their twenties, while others are in their fifties and sixties. We do everything we can to address their unique needs.鈥
The Veterans on Campus training program is funded through a grant from the UPS Foundation. In addition to the Veterans on Campus program, the grant also provided new technology for students鈥 use in the new Veterans Center.