This Veteran’s Day, how about we give veterans leadership opportunities to show our appreciation? — Recently a colleague was wondering what his company should do to show support for veterans on Veterans Day. He owns a professional services company, and though he never served himself, has a deep appreciation of military service. It didn’t really make sense for him to give away free services to…

“To hell with circumstances. I create opportunities.” — Bruce Lee In the eighth grade my parents somehow convinced me to join a softball team. To be clear, I am not, nor have I ever been, an athlete. …

Having a university champion at the highest levels has been one of the most impactful strategies I’ve used as a veteran services coordinator — and it has paid off in spades. Grand Valley State University’s (GVSU) President Philomena Mantella has been one of the fiercest and most vocal voices for…

According to LinkedIn’s Woman Veteran Opportunity Report, there are currently 2 million women veterans in the workforce, with 30,000 more leaving every year. So as we celebrate Women’s History month, we decided to take a moment to advocate for why higher education should hire more women veterans. Warning: There are…

This is how we find our way in a world that feels like constant chaos. Nature as our compass, books as our map. Hundreds of years ago, when sailors were blown off course, they would chart their way back to their destination, by looking to the stars (especially when there…

After watching the video of Air Force veteran Ashli Babbitt as she was shot and killed climbing through the mob-broken windows of the House chamber doors, I thought of my own students. I’m the Veterans Manager at a medium midwestern university, new to the job in July. I serve all…

They’re even more successful than most realize — and face more unique challenges — Recently a Navy veteran called my office looking for help. She wasn’t suicidal or homeless or struggling to get a job. As the key point of contact for veteran and military-connected students at a large midwestern university, it’s my job to help student veterans enroll, engage and graduate successfully. Her…

Adding “The Creative’s Prayer” will transform your meditation practice — This post may contain affiliate links from which I earn a small commission. I’ve experimented with a variety of meditation/prayer techniques and tools over the years, and almost by accident discovered the most effective meditation to prepare for writing. It involves a combination of visualization, bodywork and mantras. …