On November 11th of each year, we honor everyone who has served in the United States Armed Forces to keep our country safe and protect our nation’s freedom. This Veterans Day, Universities of Wisconsin Online Collaboratives is celebrating the veteran students who have completed and are currently enrolled in our degree and certificate programs.
The US Chamber of Commerce reports that one in three veterans have at least a bachelor’s degree, which is lower compared to other Americans who are 25 and older. However, veteran students on average have higher GPAs than traditional students. Business and STEM fields are the most common degree programs veterans choose to pursue.
When veterans leave the military and embark on a new path, the decision to return to school can be a challenging one. According to the Postsecondary National Policy Institute, nearly two-thirds of veteran students are over the age of 30. Many of these students are working full-time, raising a family, or both, all while adjusting to life after the military.
Veteran students who are balancing other life commitments need flexibility when choosing to go back to school. The Universities of Wisconsin Online Collaboratives offers just that. Our 100 percent online programs remove some of the barriers that come with in-person learning, such as being on campus for classes and attending lectures at specific times.
Nearly 100 veteran students enrolled in UW Online Collaboratives programs this semester, and 225 veterans have graduated to date. One of these graduates is Air Force veteran Tayler Roal, who wanted to earn a certificate that would complement the Master of Fine Arts degree he’s currently working toward at the University of Wisconsin-Stout.
Tayler has Veterans Administration (VA) benefits stemming from a service-connected disability, and he wanted to make the most of his education by taking courses that would lead to a certificate and align with his master’s thesis. Tayler completed the online UW Sustainability and Well-Being Certificate, which has allowed him to become a community leader while pursuing his passions as a local artist.
“I wanted a certificate, and I wanted it to be something important,” he said. “And that’s what sustainability encompasses, and it’s what I’m writing my thesis about.”
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For Marine and business owner Garrett Stangel, he enrolled in the UW Master of Science in Health and Wellness Management to deepen his understanding of wellness and continue his decades-long career as a fitness coach.
“I really was coming up on the end of what feels like this chapter,” he said. “My kids are now officially out of the house, and so I took this opportunity to use graduate school to do a little reinvention of myself and to look at my business differently to see what that should look like coming forward.”
Garrett remains mindful of the teamwork and professionalism instilled in him from the Marine Corps, and he uses his past experience to enhance his work as a business owner and trainer. He has also received financial support to further his education.
“I qualify as a military veteran for a scholarship, so the [Universities of Wisconsin] has been tremendously generous in that regard.”
In addition to financial assistance, UW Online Collaboratives programs also include academic support. Helpful enrollment advisers can answer your questions about programs and what to expect. Once enrolled in a program, students receive guidance from the Success Coaching team as they work through courses.
The UW Flexible Option offers opportunities for veteran students to earn a degree or certificate through competency-based learning, which allows you to learn at your own pace.
Marine and territory manager Brian Holben was looking for a program that would fit into his schedule and help him land a promotion, so he completed the UW-Milwaukee Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences: Diagnostic Imaging degree, offered through the UW Flexible Option. UW-Milwaukee is one of the top military-friendly schools in the country and offers benefits to help veterans make a successful transition from service to school.
Brian’s time in the military gave him a strong work ethic that helped him complete coursework without losing focus or feeling overwhelmed. When he experienced major life events outside of school, he found the program to be more than accommodating.
“UW Flexible Option is a huge advantage for people with busy schedules,” he said. “During my time [in the program], my wife and I welcomed our first child. The program’s flexibility let me take a couple of months off to focus on family.”
There are currently 29 veteran students enrolled in UW Flexible Option programs, and 45 students are either spouses or children of veterans. To date, 60 veteran students have graduated from programs offered through the UW Flexible Option.
UW Online Collaboratives and UW Flexible Option partner with the Universities of Wisconsin to provide degree and certificate programs to students. With 100 percent online offerings that allow students to fit courses into their busy schedules, our programs provide the skills and practical experience required for veterans to thrive in the workplace and continue the next chapter of their career.
To find out more about our selection of programs, contact an enrollment adviser by calling 608-800-6762 or emailing learn@uwex.wisconsin.edu or flex.uwex.wisconsin.edu.