Administrators, faculty, students and alumni gathered Tuesday to discuss ideas for how to better engage one particular population of Georgia Tech students: veterans.

The Georgia Tech Military Affinity Group (GTMAG) hosted a symposium in Tech Square to let those with a role in student engagement share ideas and begin developing plans for serving both undergraduate and graduate veteran students.

After a brief opening from President G.P. “Bud” Peterson, attendees heard from staff in Student Affairs and the Office of the Registrar, as well as student veterans themselves, all aiming discussions at how to make improvements in veteran integration.

Topics covered throughout the day included military benefits, mental health issues, career transition, social satisfaction, and relationships with faculty and staff. Given that the average age of student veterans is 27 for undergraduates and 34 for graduate students, there are inherent differences that make assimilation to Tech’s environment challenging for these non-traditional students. The symposium provided a forum for around 50 people to begin discussing what can be done to make Georgia Tech a more veteran-friendly campus.

“Veterans initiatives are part of the diversity at Georgia Tech,” said Peterson. “It’s not just about gender or race, but about a diversity of needs and thought, and all about the life experiences they can contribute to the overall fabric of Tech.” 

One challenge in serving student veterans is not knowing how many are on campus and who they are. Georgia Tech’s application for admission now includes an optional question that allows students to self-identify as a veteran, but not all veterans choose to do so. This year, 36 students — eight undergraduates and 28 graduates — did. Based on information from the Office of the Registrar, more than 200 students are currently using benefits from the GI Bill to attend the Institute. 

And some of these veterans may find it jarring to transition from a military to academic culture. Lacy Currie, a staff therapist at the Georgia Tech Counseling Center, noted that the military provides a strong structure and identity with a sense of camaraderie and teamwork. At Georgia Tech, however, activities are less structured and place more emphasis on the individual.

This past spring, the Division of Student Affairs established a Veterans Resource Center to serve Tech’s growing veteran population and, this semester, hired its first director. David Ross, a 20-year Air Force veteran, is located on the second floor of the Smithgall Student Services (Flag) Building. Student Affairs aspires to grow this office into a larger center that can provide a physical space for student veterans to gather and support one another. Ross also plans to provide training to help staff and faculty identify when veterans need assistance and be more in tune with their specific needs as nontraditional students.

The symposium provided a “soft opening” to upcoming events acknowledging Veterans Day on Nov. 11. Today at 4:30 p.m., GTMAG will host a Homecoming reception for all veterans in the Wardlaw Center where guests can hear an overview of military-related research at Tech. Next week, on Nov. 7 at noon, an Employee Resource Group with an emphasis on veterans will hold its first meeting on Nov. 7 at noon in the Piedmont Room of the Student Center. This group hopes to build awareness of the importance of service and the benefits of integrating the experience, knowledge, and values of former and current service members into the Tech culture. GTMAG will also host its monthly "First Thursday" reception on Nov. 7, at 4:30 p.m. in the Wardlaw Center.