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For veterans, higher education can be an important part of their transition back to civilian life. But many veteran students and their families face unique challenges when navigating both the educational and governmental systems.

鈥淭hey have different needs than traditional students,鈥� reflects Nathan Kadar, director of academic services at the Simon Business School. That was something he learned upon meeting Matthew Legere, who was enrolled in Simon鈥檚 part-time MBA program.

Legere took it upon himself to present on what it鈥檚 like being a veteran student. 鈥淥ne of his first slides was an image from the movie Billy Madison, with actor Adam Sandler sitting at a desk that鈥檚 too small for him,鈥� recalls Kadar. 鈥淭hat image of not quite fitting in made perfect sense.鈥�

So a group of individuals representing divisions, schools, and interests at the University convened to discuss 鈥渨hat we can do to better support our veterans, ROTC members, active service members, and their families,鈥� explains Kadar.

In 2013, the University created the , an affinity group that helps active military and veteran students, staff, faculty, alumni, and their families succeed in higher education. Affinity groups such as the alliance are voluntary associations of people at the University who have common interests with regard to supporting and managing diversity and inclusion on campus. As such, the Veterans Alliance is open to all.

In addition to providing a support network, the alliance hosts social events for the veteran community and its supporters. These include military appreciation football games, panel discussions, and the annual Veterans Day Run to the Greater Rochester Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Highland Park.

鈥淓ither because of interest or personal background, we have a very dedicated team spanning the University,鈥� says Kadar. With this network in place, the Veterans Alliance can refer veteran students to the appropriate services or contacts on campus, from admissions and financial aid to counseling and mentoring.

The University has worked to expand and centralize the services and support it offers to veteran students and their families. In 2014 Rochester opened its .

鈥淥ur campus veteran community鈥攏umbering around 100鈥攊ncludes veterans, their dependents, and their spouses,鈥� says Pat Toporzycki, the office鈥檚 director. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e enrolled as undergraduates as well as students in the Simon Business School, School of Nursing, Warner School of Education, and more. And the number is growing each year.鈥�

Toporzycki applauds the University鈥檚 efforts thus far to support veteran students while recognizing that her office is a starting point. 鈥淲e鈥檙e trying to be more proactive and anticipate what our veteran students might need. For example, we worked with the College Center for Advising Services to pre-register our veteran students in order to certify their benefits earlier. That鈥檚 just one way we can help close the gap when it comes to accommodating our veterans.鈥�

鈥淪witching from a structured, task-filled life in the military to one of relative freedom at university can be a challenge for veterans,鈥� says Kadar. 鈥淯ltimately they just want to be regular students鈥攁nd we want to help them succeed during and after their time at Rochester.鈥�