A University of Arkansas First: Earning the Purple Star

Showing up to college looks different when you've lived on a base overseas, relocated every few years as a military kid or watched a parent report for active duty. The University of Arkansas has a new formal recognition showing that it supports these students.

The U of A has been designated as a Purple Star College, an honor that recognizes exceptional commitment to military students, veterans and their families. It's part of the first cohort of college campuses in the Arkansas Purple Star School Program, a distinction that has traditionally gone to K-12 schools and districts.

The recognition centers on the Veteran and Military-Affiliated Student Center, housed in the Division of Student Affairs and serving nearly 2,000 U of A community members each year. The award was presented by Commissioner Ken Warden of the Arkansas Division of Higher Education at a press conference in Little Rock, timed to mark April as national Month of the Military Child.

Born on a military base, raised by two Air Force veterans and married to an Army veteran, director Megan Witherspoon Evans recognizes the importance of honoring the contributions and sacrifices of military families.

"The VMSC serves as a home away from home for all military-affiliated students," she said. "Our staff works to advocate for them each day and we are proud to stand with them during the Month of the Military Child."

Witherspoon Evans said several programs drove the recognition, including two created to ease military-affiliated students' transition to campus life. Both of these pilot programs are generously supported by a Women's Giving Circle grant.

The first, the Veteran Impact Program, is designed for a cohort of incoming and transfer veteran students. It offers one-on-one coaching, weekly meals, step-by-step guidance on deadlines and processes, peer mentorship with a fellow veteran and a $500 scholarship for the semester.

The second, the Military Dependent Welcome, is a special orientation held each August during A-Week for students who are children or spouses of service members. The students learn about military dependent benefits, scholarship opportunities and get a warm introduction to the center's staff and community. A similar orientation is also offered to veterans and service members.

The Purple Star designation also recognized the Veteran and Military-Affiliated Student Center's Green Zone Network, a professional development training that helps faculty and staff understand military life, the challenges military-connected students often face and how to support them.

Purple Star Colleges also must host at least one annual military family/dependent recognition event.  On April 15, the Veteran and Military-Affiliated Student Center hosted Purple Up Day, a day for faculty, staff and students to wear purple in solidarity with military dependents worldwide. Members of the campus community who are military dependents came by the center to sample a treat from a buffet of purple snacks.

Purple Up Day is part of the Veteran and Military-Affiliated Student Center's ongoing commitment to supporting a military-friendly campus and fostering a welcoming and inclusive community.

About the VMSC: With the understanding that military-affiliated students have unique needs, our services are adapted to the individual student. We serve as the central point of contact for prospective or current University of Arkansas military-affiliated students needing assistance with the admissions process, applying for military educational benefits and scholarships, and referrals to various academic departments around campus. Additionally, we maintain a large network within the community to refer students to organizations specializing in veteran services. The Veteran and Military-Affiliated Student Center is located at 640 N. Garland Ave. in suites 115-116. Please also come by the new academic hub, The Outpost, next door in suites 117-118. For more information about the VMSC, visit vmsc.uark.edu.

About the Division of Student Affairs: The Division of Student Affairs supports the whole student by cultivating transformative experiences and environments that promote student well-being, sense of community, and success. We prioritize student access, well-being and belonging, post-graduation success, and building a strong organizational culture. For more information, visit studentaffairs.uark.edu.