The MVFC Initiative
What are the plans?
The goals of this project are to:
- Reduce barriers for Veterans seeking admission to the U of A through application of Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)
- Create cultural awareness and change to develop a military member & Veteran (MMV) friendly environment
- Implement strengths-based programming and resources that recognize the unique needs of MMV students intended to empower and facilitate independence in order to optimize their opportunity for success
- Build partnerships through strengthening ties with internal and external partners, veteran organizations and service providers, and community partners to inform implementation of a MVFC and in design of the MVFC Toolkit
- Co-design a MVFC toolkit with all relevant parties’ implicit input to be presented to the Government of Alberta that can be used by other Alberta post-secondary institutions to replicate the MVFC model on their campuses
Using MVFC evidence-based practices (EBP) (Rumann & Hamrick, 2009) we plan to deliver the following over the next two years:
- MMV identification: A mechanism whereby military members and Veterans can self-report their status at the time of admissions application, allowing for enhanced data gathering and tracking
- Website: Create and maintain a Military and Veteran-Friendly Campus website
- A campus-based service centre: Develop a physical space where MMV’s can network and obtain contextualized services and resources related to admissions, financial supports, academic success, physical and mental health supports, and social supports
- Mentorship: Develop and launch a Veteran-student peer mentorship program, and a specific orientation program for incoming students
- PLAR: Advocacy for flexible course equivalencies that recognize CAF training and education
- Pathways: Build pathways to shared care and services (e.g., academic, career counselling, OT support, mental health assistance, VAC CM, TG, OSIs etc.) in order to help empower students to navigate various systems
- Cultural awareness and change: Develop a training module for campus community members to develop an understanding of military culture, trauma-informed care, and to assist staff in recognizing the challenges for Veterans transitioning to civilian and post-secondary life
- Scale and spread: Create a toolkit for how to apply MVFC practices to post-secondary academic institutions across Campus Alberta