History:

The Division of Student Affairs initiated the Veterans Services Support Network (VSSN) to provide AU's military connected student population (Veterans, current Service-members, and dependents) with the necessary resources and support to achieve their educational goals. Network members will be the principal contacts for these students in their respective departments and will collaborate with one another to ensure that military connected students’ needs are being met and that problems are addressed quickly and effectively. The University recognizes the unique service and sacrifice of our military-connected community and is committed to working together to best SERVE these students through continued initiatives including the Veterans Services Support Network.

Mission:

Support- Military-connected students are a diverse group with a range of demographic characteristics, experiences, and intersecting identities. We want this network to be a place where they can get the support they need as they navigate being a student.

Educate-We want to share the tools/resources we have available with faculty, staff, and students. VA regulations are constantly changing, and we want to share changes that may impact the student/staff experience. We also want to provide staff and faculty with the knowledge they need to best respond to issues that emerge in the classroom and on campus.

Represent-Transitioning from the military into civilian culture, and then to a culture of higher education can be stressful. We want to ensure that these students feel represented and heard during this unique point in their lives.

Vision-We want to work together to continue to adapt, evolve and improve how we serve our military-connected students to facilitate their success during their time at American University.

Engage: We want to use each member’s expertise to engage with students at a level that the Veterans Services office cannot accomplish alone. The more expansive this network is, the greater postured we are to best serve our military-connected students.