Learning and Employment Records (LERs) allow institutions to stand behind individuals to record their knowledge, skills, abilities and credentials on a verifiable record. With emerging tools, these records help veterans plan their post-military careers, document their talents, and become discoverable to employers based on their abilities. Learn how MilGears is helping veterans turn their military paperwork into a digital LER, and how SmartResume helps them turn that into an elite job search asset.

The Five Ls book and this talk is primarily designed for partners and allies for those who are caught up in someone else's PTSD. The learner I' m talking to is usually the spouse or partner or friend of the one whose relationships and lives changed after the traumatized person came back from war (or whatever events they experienced) and they are seeking to do something to help. Learn more at shawnbanzhaf.com

Discover insights on the implementation of competency-based education and the creation of a scalable model for mapping military competencies to college courses, highlighted through a review of Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) work with the Military Credentialing Advancement Initiative (MCAI). By leveraging state and institutional commitment, providing infrastructure support to colleges, and utilizing existing transfer articulation policies, KBOR documented military competencies and awarded college credit toward 36 programs across the state's universities.

The Academic Institution (AI) Portal assists our Military Community by providing educational information to the following members: Air Force, Civilian Acquisition Workforce, and Military Spouses. Recent changes to the AI Portal and AFVEC will be discussed as the Air Force looks to continually improve and automate functionality to make processes easier for the Airmen, Education Centers and our Academic Institutions. The AFVEC serves our Military Community by providing one-stop-shopping for educational needs.

The COVID-19 Pandemic exacerbated the teacher shortage crisis across America. However, while states and school districts are clamoring to fill open teacher vacancies, unique barriers exist for service members and veterans interested in meeting the need and filling those jobs. This session will help attendees understand what those barriers are and how partnerships between the Department of Defense's Troops to Teachers program and state departments of education are addressing those barriers.

Learn how Competency-Based Education can help military students earn their degrees in less time. Competency-Based Education measures skills and learning rather than time spent in class. Students move through courses as quickly as they understand the material. It is ideal for military students as they can accelerate through coursework by using their knowledge and experience to their advantage. WGU pioneered Competency-Based Education 25 years ago and has the most experience in delivering this model of all academic institutions today.

Trident University International's goal is to help our students achieve their educational goals by launching our Fastrac program. Fastrac gives multiple options to students to complete their coursework faster through many different options: Challenge Exams, Sophia courses, CLEP, Prior Learning Assessment, and transfer credit. To better serve our students and support them on their path to graduation, the operational teams have developed a series of trainings for all teams to ensure alignment across the university.

The Military Articulation Platform (MAP) Cohort of 55 California Community Colleges is changing lives by awarding up to 30 units of credit for prior learning (CPL) to veterans--preserving a year of benefits while easing transition stress and increasing equitable access, retention, and completion (+17%), all leading to 4-year completion with existing 36 months of benefits. Briefing covers Initiative strategy, outcomes, plans to scale statewide and beyond, and a demonstration of MAP processes and CPL transcribing.

CCAF leadership and faculty will provide and overview-level description of CCAF's make up, history, and programs for attendees unfamiliar with the institution. Presenters will also focus on intermediate learners by transitioning to an explanation of recent policy and degree structure changes, and finally, proposed future initiatives and new programs. After the presentation phase, the CCAF presentation team will conduct a question and answer session using a panel of experts from both faculty and institutional leadership.

CCAF leadership and faculty will provide targeted information for Air Force and other DoD academic advisors regarding recent policy changes, innovations and added services. Topics covered will include the new student information system, the debut of the Military Technology and Science Management (MTASM) degree, and the addition of an institutional e-transcripting service. CCAF faculty will also conduct an expert Q&A session to answer persistent and emerging questions of advisors and stakeholders.

"CAP is a centrally funded DoD program to accommodate federal employees with disabilities and wounded, ill, and injured Service members in accessing information and communication technology. DoD has a long-standing commitment to providing equal employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, requires DoD to provide accommodations to employees with disabilities and make its programs and activities accessible to these employees as well as military retirees, military dependents, and members of the public with or without disabilities.

CAP serves both the civilian and military workforces within DoD. By providing assistive technology and services to our DoD customers, CAP helps the DoD make their work environments more accessible to people with hearing, visual, dexterity, cognitive, and communication impairments.

CAP works closely with DoD to make a positive impact on the employment of people with disabilities by:

Conducting needs assessments to identify the most appropriate solution for each individual requesting an accommodation and assisting with the accommodation process.
Buying accommodations to make computer and telecommunications systems accessible to employees with disabilities, as required by public laws.
Assisting with the recruitment, placement, promotion, and retention of people with disabilities.
Providing expertise in solving accessibility problems through the use of software, hardware, and other assistive technology.
Providing guidance on creating an accessible computer and telecommunication environment within your agency.
Funding sign language, oral and tactile interpreting services for job related training courses lasting two days or longer, but not to exceed two weeks.
Travel reimbursement for personal assistants"

A case study creating a partnership with the University of Texas at Austin-Extended Campus and the Texas Army National Guard using the Army's Credentialing Assistance Program. Attendees will learn how to create a successful on-base credentialing assistance training program. In addition, attendees will learn the requirements of developing and approving an MOA, best practices learned, and pitfalls to avoid.

DE&I aren't new terms or a way of life, yet it can be challenging to have difficult conversations about lived experiences, biases, and being othered in educational and professional spaces as a military student. The military student will be centered in online and ground campus settings, highlighting the many benefits of DE&I in higher education and how administrators, staff, and faculty can individualize the military student experience while focusing on scalability.

The ICP continues to mature and evolve, while maintaining the consistency and transparency that have been its since its inception. This presentation will briefly review the overarching philosophy of the ICP, and provide examples of what's expected of the participants that will make the overall process more effective and efficient for all.

Emotional Intelligence (EI) resides in the space where cognition and emotions intersect and is
instrumental in developing strategies to realize a more fulfilled and meaningful life. EI can help us navigate conflicts, manage stress, develop resilience, communicate better, and help us understand our emotions and how to use them productively. This interactive session affords you the opportunity to identify and reinforce your EI strengths while setting goals and strategies to address your EI limitations.

Now that the ACE Military Guide has been modernized to streamline credit for military learning practices nationwide, what's been learned in the past twenty months? What is the data starting to tell us? This next evolution in military student support allows you to maximize results for learners and foster clearer pathways to higher education for adult learners. Join us for short demonstration of the system's capabilities and let's discuss lessons learned from the data!

What are the questions to ask? Compassionate career support and transition services tap into specific pulse points.? The payoffs are consequential successful outcomes for military personnel using Tuition Assistance (TA), Credentialing Assistance (CA), or Veteran's Affairs (VA) benefits.? Understanding these elements will provide insight for colleges to connect with and retain talented service members. Takeaways include a quick, strategic advising paradigm for military counselors and suggestions for capstone assignments/courses to set academic programs apart.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that personnel needs for information security analysts will increase by 35% by 2031. But because cybersecurity skills are constantly evolving, long-term job satisfaction can be hard to find. In this session, attendees will explore long-term career planning and competency mapping solutions that can help Service members plan successful careers. The session will also discuss assessment structure and planning, including identifying and assessing aptitudes and alignment to industry standards.

The Department of Defense Memorandum of Understanding (DoD MOU) system was built in response to the 2014 Principles of Excellence (PoE) and has gone through several changes over the years. The Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) Voluntary Education (VolEd), Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES), and Vantage Point Consulting (VPC), have been developing plans for a modernized platform using new technology. The intent is to inform DoD MOU Partnership community about upcoming system changes, and begin to have robust discussion about DoD MOU future.

This presentation will showcase the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's (NRAEF) successful career pathway program for transitioning servicemembers. Based on industry-developed competencies, a transitioning service member can have a path to follow to begin a new career while completing a Registered Apprenticeship Program, as well as earning college credit that applies towards post-secondary degrees. Utilizing DoD SkillBridge, nationally recognized credentials, and DOL-approved Registered Apprenticeship Programs, the NRAEF's program can be replicated in any industry.

Academia, employers, training providers, and others continue to see the value and growing demand of innovative and alternative short and long-term credentials. This session introduces initiatives that encourage the adoption of all learning counts, such as the validation of soft/human skills, creation of badges that account for partial skill attainment towards a credential, credit for prior learning, and the development of training programs that allow an individual to receive on-the-job training and academic credit simultaneously.

How do institutions of higher education partner with non-profits, state agencies, and federal and military entities to maximize opportunities for veterans to flourish in their next chapter of service?
Please join wellness and career professionals from the College of William & Mary as well as the award-winning non-profit, The Armed Services Arts Project in a discussion of best practices for cross-institutional collabroation that creates meaningful connections and real opportunities for transitioning service members.

This session will discuss the design and launch of an innovative coaching project aimed to improve student outcomes in certificate, 2 year, or 4 year educational programs for recipients of the Ohio National Guard Scholarship Program who reside near/in Cuyahoga County or attend a Cuyahoga County institution. Led by InsideTrack, the project will offer coaching services to qualifying ONGSP recipients to drive persistence and completion outcomes through a Pay for Success performance model.

Learn about the purpose and history of the Job Corps and how the Job Corps, a federally funded program, participates with state and local government workforce development plans to support industry workforce demands.  This session will also provide an understanding of how Job Corps functions in its phased career development system, provide an understanding of the available training programs offered among the 121 Job Corps Centers across the US and Puerto Rico including how Job Corps provides opportunities for colleges and industries to partner and help and support students to continue their lifelong learning career choices and goals.      

MilGears is an application powered by the Services Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (COOL) platforms where Service members and veterans explore and plan for their career and credentialing goals. This session will provide you with an overview of the platform and walk through the Engage My Career (EMC) tool. EMC can be used to connect users to relevant and customized pathways. See how MilGears can be leveraged for career and education guidance, planning, and decision making.

This session will present the development and implementation of the Military Benefits Advising Team, to provide clear concise assistance to the military-affiliated students at National University. The presenter will discuss the planning, organization process and training of the new Military Benefit Advising team.

Through a unique combination of academic-based strategic thinking and military-based continuous process improvement practices, the United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine (USAFSAM) has implemented a revolutionary strategic plan to modernize its educational offerings, improve functionality of academic support, and optimize knowledge delivery. These initiatives coalesce to demonstrate how military education services have been updated through collaborative efforts using academic and industry best practices.

Attendees will learn of the history of Veterans access to Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) when using G.I. Bill education benefits. The history will inform a discussion about the impact and limitations when serving Veterans participating in educational programs solely by distance education. Looking to the future, the panelists and attendees will consider whether there is a need for a revision, and if so, how and to whom should Veterans and institutions advocate for a change.

As AI and robotic technology continue to take hold across industries, defense departments worldwide are struggling to understand its implications on their mission and how they can support their involved personnel in this evolving and uncertain future. Join us for this session where predictive analytics firm Faethm by Pearson shares how military organizations are leveraging tech-informed platforms to increase force retention, improve mission success rates, and shift Service members into roles needed for the future.

Every year in every DoD and IC organization, the survey's go out, the results come in, the working groups stand up, and "solutions" are deployed. And yet, we deal with the same concerns year after year after year. That's right. The same concerns and the same survey-working groups-"solutions" cycle. But why? What are we missing? Chris Armstrong and Vince Brantley studied this phenomenon across dozens of DoD and IC organizations over a 9-year period and uncovered some very telling and root-focused problems and solutions. What is more, their root-focused findings have been the basis for hugely successful culture change efforts across more than 200 organizations.

Work-based learning (WBL) programs (e.g., internships, residencies, pre-apprenticeships, and training to placement programs) provide individuals with structured opportunities for skills development within a workplace setting. WBL programs are particularly beneficial for transitioning service members and veterans to learn how to apply their skills in the civilian workplace. Learn about WBL and the need to develop of a national standard to establish WBL as a form of credentialing and ensure the quality of these programs.

Historically, DANTES has provided access to CBEs to service members worldwide in test centers on and off-base. Collaboration with testing agencies College Board and Prometric, these exams are now available using remote testing platforms. Ensuring service members are prepared for degree relevant exams, DANTES is helping military and civilian educators host preparation events. Prep-a-Thons generate excitement and reinforce effective study practices as a key to success. Learn how to host a remote Prep-a-Thon today!

Interest and participation in the DOD SkillBridge program is continually on the rise, providing a host of new opportunities for service members in their last 180 days of service. Get an inside perspective on the program, how it helps transitioning service members learn industry-specific skills and find employment while still on active duty, and highlight current SkillBridge partners. Experts from the various military services will be available (as possible) to assist with questions.

We provide a data-driven series of analyses to debunk persistent and inaccurate myths in media and public debate about veterans and their entrepreneurial efforts, abilities, and emotional states. Our data reveals a complex and nuanced picture of veterans' contributions to our society, and where retiring the broken hero myth is warranted. The intent is to inform policymakers, practitioners, and educators about these inaccurate myths and pave the road for effective policies and practices.

Non-degree credentials are increasingly used in the workforce to signal an individual's skills and qualifications. Participation in the services credentialing programs (Credentialing Opportunities On-Line) and United Service Military Apprenticeship Program (USMAP) grows as opportunities expand. Civilian credentials earned through these programs connect to other credential and career opportunities, supporting professional development in service and employment post-transition. Learn about these programs, their funding, how they've expanded, how they complement other opportunities, and new website features.

The Contingency Area Education Support program helps service members access educational opportunities in forward deployed areas within the Central Command (CENTCOM) and Africa Command (AFRICOM) areas of responsibility (AOR). Learn how educators provide services while enabling deployed students to complete academic degrees and professional development goals.

The CA Program provides Soldiers the ability to earn professional credentials, including civilian certifications and licenses. This line of effort is constantly evolving through the expansion of civilian credentialing opportunities to validate Soldiers professional skills, training, and work experiences. This session will provide a comprehensive overview of the CA Program, updates on the increased popularity, participation, and success from the initial Limited User Test (LUT) in 2019 through Army wide implementation in 2020 to current.

The George W. Bush Military Veterans and Family initiative combines the work of three Task Forces; Higher Education, Employment, and Health and Well-Being to optimize the success of veterans as they transition to higher education and beyond.

The Navy College Program has made the largest transformational change since its inception in 1974, going completely virtual. We will present the benefits for on-demand access to Sailors world-wide, utilizing technology for a one-stop-shop for off-duty development opportunities. We will also discuss Navy College's new Fleet Engagement Teams; their roles, responsibilities and interactions with Navy Commands and Academic partners.

How to engage all campus constituents to create a culture of connectedness, inclusiveness and trust across the campus community for students with accessibility needs.. This practice promotes the well-being and success of all students through enhancement of accessibility support, effective transaction, understanding the invisible and visible accessibility needs and academic support

This presentation shares outcomes and takeaways of 2020-2022 annual National Survey of Military-Affiliated Entrepreneurship completed by 2,600 veterans. The results indicate that veterans who engage in entrepreneurial activity are more likely to continue their education, report better well-being, experience fewer challenges during the transition, and have strong social support. Participants will gain knowledge and understanding of resources, tools, and programs needed to establish and/or enhance campus-based resources and services, and policies critical to veteran entrepreneurship.

The military community is a microcosm of American society, reflecting unique elements of diversity among active and former servicemembers, spouses and children. This session focuses on why academic institutions need to recognize the diversity of this population to identify needs and effectively leverage existing resources and technology for seamless delivery of services and programming to create a sense of place and belonging, leading to higher positive outcomes in their transition, retention, graduation, and post-graduation success.

Working with Service members as they transition into the collegiate environment can be difficult, especially if you are unaware of the information received during transition. This session is designed to remedy the issue and make you an informed student advisor. During this session the basic process of TAP will be explained, the mandatory modules will be reviewed, and we will take a deeper dive into the module designed to assist Service members seeking higher education.

What is the Army doing to help military-connected students succeed in higher education? What changes have resulted from the pandemic? How are Army Leaders developing, implementing, and reenvisioning services and resources for military-connected students? The US Army Soldier for Life program Team has these answers, and more. Through discussion and Q&A, leaders from Soldier for Life present updates, changes, and a way-ahead for the future of military-connected students.

The Upgraded ArmyIgnitED, which includes the Academic Institution (AI) Portal, was leveraged using the existing Air Force platforms to provide an improved information system capacity to perform the government's oversight of the Army Tuition Assistance management for worldwide operations. Changes will be discussed and demonstrated illustrating the continuous improvement and automation the upgraded system provides to all stakeholders.

The Posse Foundation offers the only college access program for Veterans to pursue their bachelor's degree in a cohort or posse of 10 Veterans. Learn how Posse identifies post-9/11 Veterans for its program, how Posse's partner colleges select Veterans for the program and guarantee that tuition is covered for all four years, and how Posse's 200+ Corporate partners support Posse alumni.

How do you offer well-being services and events to students, staff, and faculty in a non-traditional environment? This presentation will discuss the importance of well-being, discuss tangible ways to build sustainable programs, and how to implement them in our current environment.