Southeastern Council on Military Education 2016 SECOME Symposium

October 25-27 Savannah Georgia Serving Military-Affiliated Students: A Holistic Approach SECOME, a 501c3 non-profit organization, and a Council of College and Military Educators’ State Advisory Council on Military Education, is a strong coalition of educational institutions, corporations and military organizations that provides programs, services and support for the improvement of educational opportunities for veterans, uniformed service members, and their families, as well as Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) personnel within the states of , South Carolina and Georgia.

MISSION: To promote, support and deliver quality educational and professional opportunities and practices within all branches of the Armed Forces by providing innovative and ethical provisions for higher educational institutions, government and state entities.

VISION STATEMENT: To further the excellence of the military- affiliated student through an organization that facilitates opportunity for developing and supporting quality educational institutions and organizations within North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.

Statement of Purpose: The Southeastern Council on Military Education delivers key competency to state and federal organizations and institutions of higher learning to support the needs of the military- affiliated student. Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of our growing membership and the Board of Directors of the Southeastern Council on Military Education, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2016 SECOME Symposium. The time to meet and collaborate could not be more vital given the recent roles that state and government agencies have played in which institutions of higher learning support active duty service members, veterans and their families. While just in the last year there has been much uncertainty within the military education realm, SECOME is approaching it as an opportunity. This year’s symposium, Serving Military-Affiliated Students: A Holistic Approach, has something for everyone! We will hear directly from the source, and hopefully receive clarification and proper direction from the Department of Defense so that we can meet its goals in properly educating the Armed Forces. In addition, our prestigious speakers and knowledgeable panelists will provide integral information to better serve the military-affiliated community. I would like to encourage you to take advantage of this event, and network with friends and colleagues. Together we can truly serve this nation’s finest Heroes, and make our member states the leaders in providing higher education to military-affiliated students. Thank you for supporting SECOME. Sincerely, Ashley Adamovage SECOME President 2015-2016 SECOME Board of Directors

The Board of Directors support the work of SECOME, and provide mission-based leadership and strategic governance. Appropriate in- volvement of the Board is both critical and expected.

Ashley Adamovage Mik Williams President GA Board Member University of North Carolina American Public University Wilmington System

Amanda Parkstone Jason Norton Vice President SC Board Member Veterans Upward Bound - TRiO Southern Wesleyan Programs University

Denny Powers Jeff Netznik Secretary NC Board Member Coastal Carolina University East Carolina University

Alison Hansen David Vacchi Treasurer Board Member Thomas Edison State College University of North Caroli- na Charlotte

* We’d like to thank our Members at Large: Jennifer Coffey, Greg Nance 2016 Scholarship Recipients

This year’s scholarship response was the largest the organization has ever seen! In addition to the scholarship, all student recipients were offered a free-night stay at this year’s conference location, the Hilton Savannah Desoto, as well as a gift card to help with travel expenses to participate on the 2016 Student Panel.

Nayib Bryan, awarded $1000 (Active Duty) Central Carolina Community College, North Carolina Associates of Science

Alexis Pointer, awarded $1000 (Active Duty) American Military University, Georgia Bachelors in Emergency and Disaster Management (BA) 2016 Student Panelist

Roselin Rodriguez-Pinto, awarded $1000 (Veteran) Fayetteville State University, North Carolina Bachelors of Social Work

Julia Trevino, awarded $1000 (Spouse) University Maryland University College, Georgia Masters in Cybersecurity

Amanda Yeackley, awarded $1000 (Veteran) American Military University, Georgia Bachelors of Science in Environmental Science David Chrisinger, Keynote Speaker

David Chrisinger is a the veteran experience Communication and Veteran throughout American history and Transition Specialist who believes regularly features stories written everyone has a story to tell and by veterans of the wars in that it’s imperative each of these and Afghanistan. stories is told in a way that leads David also teaches Introductory to connection and understanding. Public Policy Writing to graduate To that end, he teaches a veteran students in the Master of Public reintegration course at the Policy program in the Bloomberg University of Wisconsin-Stevens School of Public Health at Johns point to help his students tell Hopkins University, and serves as their stories of war and coming a Senior Communication home. Specialist at the U.S. Government He also edited a collection of Accountability Office, where essays, See Me for Who I he helps write informative and Am, that brings together 20 persuasive policy reports for the young student veterans working Congress. to bridge the cultural gap that divides them from the American people they fought to protect. In 2016 Keynote Address addition, he founded and Bridging the Divide: Finding manages a website, Stronger at the Broken Places, that examines Ways to Help Military- Connected Students Feel at Home Guest Speakers and Panelists

Dr. George “Bill” Ayers, LCSW Mental Health Needs of Veteran Students: The University Responsibility Dawn Bilodeau, Chief for Discussing DoD MOU, NCO Closures, Department of Defense ESO Responsibilities, and a Q&A Voluntary Education session Dr. Grey Edwards, ESO United States Army Panelist C. David Ellard, ESO Panelist United States Marine Corps Alison Hansen, Associate Military Spouse Education Initiative Director SMSgt William Harmon, ESO Air National Guard Panelist Sue Jackson, Director of Federal & State Governments and Market Development, Military Credentialing Bodies Partner for Pearson VUE Advancement, Transition and Portability Success John Kamin, Education National Veterans Employment & Director Education Division

SMSgt Eric Keys, ESO Panelist United States Air Force Reserve Wendy Lang, Director, Operation College Promise: Operation College Promise Supporting the Transition and Post- secondary Advancement of Student Veterans. Jerome Marshall, Atlanta VA Education Benefits & VA Work RPO Chief Education Liaison Study Officer Guest Speakers and Panelists

Jani McGee, Military OneSource Military OneSource State Consultant

Michael Midura, ACME Liaison CCME & ACME Updates

CW4 George Millsaps, Ed.D, ESO North Carolina National Guard Panelist Ilario Pantano, Senior Director Syracuse University, Institute for of Community Services Veterans and Military Families

Amanda Parkstone, Director of Veterans Upward Bound Program Veterans Upward Bound

Taheesha Quarells, Director of DANTES/DSST Communication and Outreach

Michele Spires, Director of American Council on Education Military Programs

Dr. Joe Wescott, Legislative Role of the SAA as it Pertains to Director National Association of Higher Education SAAs Gregg White, ESO Panelist United States Navy

Jonathan Woods, Deputy DoD Voluntary Education Programs Gordy Yowell, ESO Panelist United States Coast Guard Breakout Session I - Wednesday

Option A: Mental Health Needs of Veteran Students: The University Responsibility

As the number of Veterans of the War on Terror attending institutions of higher education increases, so does the requirement for services to this population. Many of these Veterans have mental health needs and issues which must be addressed, if not accommodated by the institution. This presentation will address faculty and staff responsibility for identification of such needs as well as the development of partnerships between institutions and service providers to assure that these veterans may obtain maximum benefit from their education experience.

Option B: Operation College Promise: Supporting the Transition and Postsecondary Advancement of Student Veterans

Operation College Promise (OCP) is a national policy, research and education program based in Trenton, New Jersey, which supports the transition and postsecondary advancement of our nation's veterans. Originating in 2008 as a web-based resource, the project was founded by the New Jersey Association of State Colleges and Universities (NJASCU) in 2008 to centralize transition information for servicemembers on a comprehensive website. In 2009, OCP was one of only 20 applicants awarded an ACE/Walmart Foundation "Success for Veterans" grant. Today, the project has partner institutions across the nation and has established a National Advisory Council (NAC) to support its rapidly broader national mission. Breakout Session II - Wednesday

Option A: MyCAA/SECO Overview

The Department of Defense established the Spouse Education Career Opportunities program to provide education and career guidance to military spouses worldwide, offering comprehensive resources and tools related to career exploration, education, training and licensing, employment readiness and career connections. Additional sources of financial assistance, spouse employment partners, and other resources will be provided.

Option B: AmericaServes

AmericaServes is the country's first coordinated system of public, private, and non-profit organizations working together to serve Veterans, transitioning service-members, and their families. Their vision is that every service-member, Veteran, and their family can easily access the full range of comprehensive services required to achieve their unique goals, and to provide a first-class service experience to match service-member and Veterans' first class military service.

Breakout Session III - Wednesday

Option A: ACE 101, The Review Process

Since 1945, The American Council on Education (ACE) has provided a critical link between the U.S. Department of Defense and higher education and in this role helps our nation’s military members and veterans gain access to higher education. ACE reviews military training (courses) and experiences (occupations) with the goal of awarding equivalent college credits for those experiences. In this session, participants will interpret the value of ACE Military Evaluations contract and the key strategic partnerships with the Services, identify and discuss the rigor and integrity of the review process for both courses and occupations, compare the faculty’s role in the evaluation review process, find and use the resources available to the higher education community.

Option B: SVA, Advice on Best Practices in Higher Education

Student Veterans of America (SVA) is a 501(c)(3) coalition of student veteran groups on college campuses across the globe. The SVA supports students, fund scholarships, train tomorrow’s leaders, build vet centers, advocate for student veterans, protect the GI Bill, conduct ground-breaking research, develop sustainable support and build an alumni network. Discussion on partnership development and how it can succeed mission accomplishment, stressing the importance of institutions advocating for veterans on and off campus as well as peer support, and upcoming SVA events and new initiatives. Breakout Session I - Thursday

Option A: Military Spouse Education Initiative

This initiative supports military spouses through their educational journey. All to often, as military spouses, are tasked with putting their educational pursuits on hold while their service member pursues their career aspirations. MSEI empowers military spouses with the knowledge that both their service members career and their individual educational pursuits can be managed.

Option B: Veterans Upward Bound (VUB)

VUB is a free, pre-college program for Veterans, federally funded by the Dept. of Education. It is one of 8 TRIO college access programs that exist nationally that are geared towards servings students with identified barriers in applying to, attending and having success in college. There are 49 VUB programs nationally that provide complimentary transition services for eligible veterans whose goal it is to create a strong foundation and a smooth transition for veterans entering the classroom. VUB’s goal is to bring awareness to the presence of these programs nationally and regionally so military installations, institutions of higher education, and other community resources are able to add VUB to their toolkit as a resource for transitioning veterans and their families Breakout Session II - Thursday

Option A: The American Legion Veterans Employment & Education Division

The American Legion Veterans Employment & Education Division is the organization’s hub for veterans education benefits, including the GI Bill, along with business and career information. Learn about national and regional services and how they can support staff, faculty and students.

Option B: Federal & State Governments and Credentialing Bodies Partner for Advancement, Transition and Portability success

Federal and State Governments and Credentialing bodies partner for advancement, transition and portability success: mapping of civilian certifications to military occupations; credit recommendation for professional credentials; programs designed to promote credentialing for advancement and transition success; training and credentialing to bridge the skills gap; and collaboration of Federal and state governments and credentialing bodies to improve career portability across state lines. Tuesday October 25, 2016

12:30 - 2 PM Event Registration Lobby outside of Madison Ballroom, 1st Floor 2 - 6 PM 2016 SECOME Resource & Education Expo Madison Ballroom, 1st Floor 6 - 9 PM SECOME Networking Reception Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served. A cash bar will be available. Cumberland Room, 1st Floor

A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR PLATINUM SPONSORS: Wednesday Morning October 26, 2016

7-8 AM Event Registration & Breakfast Registration: Lobby outside of Madison Ballroom, 1st Floor Breakfast: Harborview Room, 15th Floor 8-8:15 AM Symposium Opening, Presentation of Colors JROTC Savannah High School, Col Flowers Ashley Adamovage, SECOME President Madison Ballroom, 1st Floor 8:15-9 AM Bridging the Divide: Finding Ways to Help Military-Connected Students Feel at Home David Chrisinger, Keynote Speaker Madison Ballroom, 1st Floor 9-9:45 AM Breakout Session I Option A: Mental Health Needs of Veteran Students: The University Responsibility Dr. Bill Ayers, LCSW Madison Ballroom, 1st Floor Option B: Operation College Promise: Supporting the Transition and Postsecondary Advancement of Student Veterans Wendy Lang Pulaski Room, 1st Floor 9:45-10 AM BREAK 10 AM - 12 PM Tuition Assistance Discussion & ESO Panel ESO Panelists Mik Williams, Moderator Madison Ballroom, 1st Floor Wednesday Afternoon October 26, 2016

12-1 PM LUNCH Harborview Room, 15th Floor 1-1:45 PM Breakout Session II Option A: MyCAA/SECO Overview Pulaski Room, 1st Floor Option B: AmericaServes Ilario Pantano Madison Ballroom, 1st Floor 1:45-2:30 PM Breakout Session III Option A: ACE 101, the Review Process Michelle Spires Pulaski Room, 1st Floor Option B: SVA, Advice on Best Practices in Higher Education Madison Ballroom, 1st Floor 2:30-3 PM BREAK 3-3:45 PM DANTES/DSST Taheesha Quarells Madison Ballroom, 1st Floor 3:45-4 PM CCME Update Michael Midura, ACME Liaison Madison Ballroom, 1st Floor 4-5 PM SECOME Business Meeting For SECOME Members & Guests *Only current members are permitted to vote Madison Ballroom, 1st Floor SECOME Business Meeting October 26, 2016

Agenda 2016 SECOME Symposium October 26, 2016 4 - 5 PM

I. Introduction a. Approval of 2015 Meeting Minutes David Vacchi b. 2015-2016 Organizational Review Ashley Adamovage

II. Review of Bylaws (Changes and Updates) Denny Powers a. Approval of Bylaws David Vacchi III. Board Member Vacancies: a. Board Member Vacancies: Ashley Adamovage i. Treasurer ii. NC Board Member iii. SC Board Member b. Members at Large (3 vacancies) IV. Membership & Treasurer Reports Alison Hansen V. Board Member Q&A David Vacchi VI. Board Member Elections David Vacchi a. Nomination/Presentation of Slate b. Ballot Vote VI. Conclusion Ashley Adamovage

*Election results will be announced on October 27, 2016, at the opening of the day’s programs Ashley Adamovage, President Denny Powers, Secretary Alison Hansen, Treasurer David Vacchi, Acting Parliamentarian Thursday Morning October 27, 2016

7-8 AM Event Registration & Breakfast Registration: Lobby outside of Madison Ballroom, 1st Floor Breakfast: Harborview Room, 15th Floor 8-8:15 AM Welcome & Election Results Ashley Adamovage, SECOME President David Vacchi, Acting SECOME Parliamentarian Madison Ballroom, 1st Floor 8:15-9 AM Role of the SAA as it Pertains to Higher Education Dr. Joe Wescott Madison Ballroom, 1st Floor 9-9:30 AM VA Education Benefits & VA Work Study Jerome Marshall Madison Ballroom, 1st Floor 9:30-9:45 AM BREAK 9:45-10:15 AM Student Scholarship Presentation Amanda Parkstone, SECOME Vice President Madison Ballroom, 1st Floor 10:15-Noon Student Panel Student Panelists Amanda Parkstone, Moderator Madison Ballroom, 1st Floor

Thanks to our Silver Sponsors: Thursday Afternoon October 27, 2016

12-1 PM LUNCH Harborview Room, 15th Floor 1-2 PM DoD MOU & Open Discussion Dawn Bilodeau, Department of Defense Madison Ballroom, 1st Floor 2-2:30 PM Breakout Session I Option A: Military Spouse Education Initiative Alison Hansen Pulaski Room, 1st Floor Option B: Veterans Upward Bound Amanda Parkstone Madison Ballroom, 1st Floor 2:30-3 PM BREAK 3-3:45 PM Breakout Session II Option A: The American Legion Veterans Employ- ment & Education Division John Kamin Pulaski Room, 1st Floor Option B: Fed. & State Gov. & Credentialing Bod- ies Partner for Advancement, Transition & Porta- bility Success Sue Jackson Madison Ballroom, 1st Floor 3:45-4:30 PM ACE 201/301 Michelle Spires Madison Ballroom, 1st Floor 4:30-5 PM Wrap-Up & Farewell Madison Ballroom, 1st Floor www.secome.org

SECOME is a 501c3, non-profit organization committed to achieving its mission: To promote, support and deliver quality educational opportunities and practices within all branches of the Armed Forces by providing innovative and ethical provisions for higher educational institutions, government and state entities.