NCSD Pre-Conference Session 1
Sunday, October 24, 9 am - 12 pm
Chicot Room | The Peabody Hotel
Boots to Books: The Transition From Military to Higher Education
Presenter:
Peter G. Schmidt
Senior Associate Dean for Student Success and Retention
Edmonds Community College
Workshop Description
The journey from boots to books, military to student life can be an adjustment for our student veterans. Over two million troops have served in Iraq and Afghanistan with almost half deploying twice. Currently it is estimated that one in five of our OIF/OEF veterans experience a combination of depression, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, and mild Traumatic Brain Injury. The purpose of this session will be to explore combat stressors, readjustment issues, behavioral and mental health, and better understand how military training and experiences present difficulty in the transition to higher education. Campus best practices will be highlighted. The participant can expect to begin the personal journey toward veteran cultural competence.
Objectives
- Describe the psychosocial and environmental stressors experienced by student veterans in a combat zone.
- Explain how military training and BATTLEMIND influence behavior in the academic setting.
- List common issues of readjustment from military to civilian life.
- Observe the impact of invisible wounds on the life of the veteran.
- Compile a list of veteran best practices for your campus.
- Assess one’s level of veteran cultural competence.
Peter Schmidt, Psy. D. Is Senior Associate Dean for Student Success and Retention at Edmonds Community College and a contractor for the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs. He provides outreach and consultation to higher education institutions and their counseling centers in Washington State. Peter has served as a tenured counselor and psychology instructor and assessed, diagnosed and treated veterans as a counseling subcontractor. He is currently chair of the Veterans Resource Team and co-advisor for Club Vet. Peter has also presented on veterans issues to over 50 higher education and community organizations.
NCSD Pre-Conference Session 2
Sunday, October 24, 9 am - 12 pm
Grampas Room | The Peabody Hotel
Emergency Management Preparation: A Collaborative Approach through a Student Affairs Lens
Presenter:
Pamela Flahertty
Dean of Student and Student Development
Middlesex Community College
Workshop Description
Middlesex Community College (MCC) has developed a highly successful preparedness process for emergency management planning and implementation. The process benefits the college community through several approaches and sources of input. This involves an investment in training, both within the college and externally, through coordinated relationships and participation and support from college administration.
The MCC process includes a 3 tiered Emergency Management Team, involving over 100 people. Members have all received various levels of NIMS and ICS training. The college has recently sponsored and implemented 3 simulated mock disasters. These involved participation from college administrators, staff, faculty and students, along with local police, fire and EMT units. Fundamental relationship building both internally and externally has produced a collaborative approach to problem solving and resource allocation.
By providing a historical perspective of the development of Middlesex Community College’s process for Emergency Management Planning, the presenter will provide practical suggestions, strategies, and resources particularly relevant to Student Affairs. Through the Student Affairs lens, the presenter will provide the participants with a step by step process on how to prepare the Student Affairs professionals for their role in emergency preparedness. This presentation focuses on multiple input planning sources for dealing with disasters involving students and represents a model for interactions for all hazards. We will discuss how Student Affairs leaders can play a role in achieving comprehensive community preparedness including ways to engage emergency service providers and educational entities in multi-sector emergency planning.
Learning Outcomes:
Participants in this workshop will improve understanding and competency in:
- Developing tools and a knowledge base to improve their institution’s ability to develop of an emergency preparedness plan.
- Achieving success in forging and sustaining Internal and External collaborations
- Developing and guiding Student Assessment and Intervention Teams
- Promoting Internal and External communication within the College community and with external community partners
Participants will receive an Emergency Management tool kit which will include:
- Critical school emergency preparation information.
- Sample policies and procedures
- Sample notifications
- Sample Memoranda of Understanding
