FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – A handful of committed individuals have been working diligently to make the University of Arkansas a veteran-friendly campus. This spring, two academic counselors in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences were rewarded for this work when they gave their “Soldiers to Students” presentation about the university’s efforts to serve the growing community of military veterans in college.

Jill Geisler Wheeler, who is now assistant director of the Fulbright College honors program, and Jennifer Coldiron, who recently moved to Kansas City with her family, eclipsed more than 30 other entries to win “Best of Region” for their presentation at the Region 7 conference of the National Academic Advising Association.

“The award was a reaction to what’s happening on campus rather than our public speaking skills,” said Wheeler. “It’s recognition for the services the university has established to help veterans transition from being in uniform to being in a classroom.”

The award-winning presentation encourages students, faculty and staff to consider some of the challenges veterans face when returning to school and transitioning back to civilian life. The presentation features interviews with student veterans discussing why they joined the military, why they decided to attend college and what attracted them to the University of Arkansas.

One of the students interviewed is Sgt. Jason Cates, U.S. Army, retired. His candid comments about his transition from military to civilian life kept the audience riveted. And he gladly shared his story for the cause.

“I decided to attend the University of Arkansas because I want to study social work and eventually work with vets,” Cates said. “It started with Veterans Upward Bound; then I met some people through the vets center who reintroduced me to the classroom setting and encouraged me to pursue my degree. Good things are happening here, and I’m glad to be part of it.”

The Veterans Resource and Information Center in the Division of Student Affairs helps students find their way through the university system and supports them with information about educational benefits, scholarships and other forms of financial aid. It also provides details about campus, community, state and national resources for current and former military personnel. 

The University of Arkansas Task Force for a Veteran Friendly Campus was established in 2008. In 2009 the group made 19 recommendations including increasing mental health and disability services, creating transitional services, increase military cultural competency among faculty and train staff in veterans’ issues. The “Soldiers to Students” presentation will soon be offered as training for faculty and staff at the University of Arkansas. .

Wheeler and Coldiron’s Region 7 award automatically enters them into the presentation competition at the National Academic Advising Association’s national conference to be held in Nashville in October. Region 7 comprises Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas.