Student Veteran Engagement in Online Education

Abstract

This chapter is a case study of how a community college located in the Midwestern United States has worked to increase student veterans' engagement with the campus community while simultaneously being enrolled in online degree programs. Student veterans experience unique transition challenges from the military into college. Moreover, the transition issues can be unintentionally exacerbated when student veterans enroll in degree programs offered entirely online. We consider strategies colleges can use to increase engagement of veterans primarily enrolled in online degree programs and outline their implementation. In addition, a discussion and corresponding challenges are outlined to help higher education administrators implement the engagement strategies with student veterans on their own campus. By developing a structured engagement system, higher education administrators can alleviate some of the transition issues plaguing student veterans and in turn improve engagement, retention, and graduation rates.