Student Veterans of America

Student Veterans of America’s Research Department works to inform the public, stake holders, policy makers, and others on student veteran and military connected students topics and concerns through empirical research.

Externally, we do that through partnerships with other organizations and departments. In 2014, SVA in partnership with the National Student Clearing house (NSC) and the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) published the Million Records Project (MRP), a groundbreaking report conveying the postsecondary academic outcomes for one million of this generation’s student veterans. In the Spring of 2017, we expanded upon the success of MRP, with the same partners, publishing the first in a series of reports on the National Veteran Education Success Tracker (NVEST).

Internally, we use surveys and program evaluations for data collection and improving programs. SVA’s research team conducts an annual Census web survey, SVA Spotlight, providing detailed demographics of student veterans and military connected students. We are also testing an internally developed instrument to measure the status of our chapters allowing us to better support them.

SVA enjoys a multi-year grant from the PwC Charitable Foundation, Inc. in support of our Student Veteran Educational and Employment Decision Tree Initiative. The three-year research initiative will explore the decision-making process for separating service members, with the intent of identifying potential opportunities and barriers to a successful transition from college into the workforce. The PwC Charitable Foundation, Inc. supports the people of PwC when in need and invests in emerging solutions to society’s greatest challenges in education and humanitarianism. In addition to seeking out non-profits with courageous breakthrough ideas, the Foundation complements PwC’s efforts to engage the people of the firm, offering partners and staff a flexible set of opportunities to create value for their communities and for each other. People are at the heart of their mission and theories of change.

Part of SVA’s mission is to advocate for student veterans. We defend the GI Bill and support policy that best empowers student veterans to achieve their educational goals. SVA is largely recognized as the premier organization representing the interests of student veterans and GI Bill beneficiaries due to the 1000+ SVA chapters on campuses nationwide. The more chapters in the network, the more effective we are at influencing policy on behalf of all student veterans.

At the federal level, SVA has formed a close relationship with the two of America’s largest and most honored Veteran Service Organizations: The American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Collectively, we are working on a number of issues, but specifically to reduce GI Bill benefit delays, improve access to consumer education tools, and to establish in-state residency status for all GI Bill beneficiaries.

SVA also encourages and trains chapters to be advocates on campus to institutionalize programs and policies that support student veterans. Each chapter has the potential to be a catalyst for local change. Great examples of SVA chapters advocating for supportive services include, Florida State University, the University of Arizona, the University of Southern California, and many others.

SVA’s national conference or “NatCon”, is the organization’s premier annual event that convenes over 2,000 student veterans and leaders from all sectors across the nation. NatCon serves as a springboard to build communities on over 1,500 campuses, to drive action and change, and to shape and advance the narrative that student veterans are the leaders we need to solve the complex problems of tomorrow. The 90+ breakout sessions, three general sessions, and closing awards banquet provide an opportunity for SVA attendees to be recognized for their work, inspired by each other and our speakers, to share best practices, and to align with SVA’s national initiatives, while taking key messages back to their peers on campuses across the nation. The event affords attendees time to network with each other and provides an environment in which ideas can be exchanged and lifelong connections will be made.

SVA’s Summits Series connect SVA chapter leaders to SVA nationally, to other chapters and chapter leaders, and to resources that improve the higher education experience of student veterans. Summits teach chapter leaders to build, run, and sustain chapters on over 1,500 campuses nationwide. Summits are held regionally to facilitate local connection to other chapters, to the local community and community-based organizations, and to business and industry partners. Each of these connections matters to the SVA chapter, to SVA chapter leaders, and to SVA chapter members. The connections strengthen the educational opportunity for student veterans and to their peers who have never served. These connections bridge the military-civilian divide, bring together people who have a strong interest in their communities and regions, and create networks that transcend higher education. Summits build initial connections to SVA chapter leaders and chapter members who will become alumni and remain in communities, connected to career and service opportunities.