From being reservists and active-duty military to the vast experiences of retirement, veterans arrive with unique experiences to deploy as they navigate the world of postsecondary. Understanding why their training as soldiers can impact how they traverse through the civilian world is essential to serving our veteran population in Higher Education.We will discuss how military and civilian life have sharp contrasts, how some skills do not transfer, and how service never truly ends.

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 service members, Education Centers and our Academic Institutions. The AFVEC serves our Military Community by providing one-stop-shopping for educational needs.

This presentation has the following outcomes?
A brief description of the George W. Bush Institute, it’s structure, and the current “Strengthening our Democracy” initiative.
An outline of the Veterans Military and Families (VMF) component of the Institute, it’s composition, mission, programs, and resources.
Discuss the current and emerging work of the Veterans Higher Education and Employment Task Force.
A conversation of the potential additional studies and research that would benefit our community.

We will share the Department of Labor: Education Training and Administration (ETA) Vision 2030 and the Four Pillars to support the WIOA and alleviate the National Workforce Crisis. Workforce Training Academy USA will illustrate how robust partnerships with educational institutions, industries, community based organizations, and government including military can effectively address the National Workforce Crisis. Best practices in tracking will also be highlighted.

Implementing changes in Higher Education for military learners working towards degree attainment requires a specialized approach. This session emphasizes the vital role of Change Management in Higher Education initiatives aimed at supporting military learners in their pursuit of earning a degree. Attendees will gain insights into tailored strategies for overcoming resistance and ensuring successful adoption for this unique student demographic.

AI is rapidly changing the world of medical imaging, creating better tools to diagnose pathology and navigate treatment swiftly and growing the use of imaging technology as well as the need for highly skilled medical imaging professionals. The Tesla Institute of MRI Technology has successfully leveraged a corresponding advance in remotely accessible cloud based MRI simulation technology and collaborated with industry to allow servicemembers to earn clinical training hours required for credentialing previously done onsite.

This workshop will provide a comprehensive overview of how CAEL helps institutions assess their institutional culture and readiness for attracting and supporting Veterans and military-connected learners. Through the assessment process (policy, process and organizational studies, as well as focus groups) the findings highlight opportunities for improvement; upon completion, an action plan is developed. The findings also create awareness and support across campus for a Veteran and military-connected learner initiative.

Southern New Hampshire University’s approach to evaluate the effectiveness of various learning theories that are identified through ACE Recommendations and POIs (when available). This allows SNHU to transfer earned military credit towards major coursework requirements by utilizing the 1 Credit = 1 Competency model.

Empower yourself to guide service members on making informed choices about their academic and career pursuits. DANTES has partnered with Kuder for over 20 years providing service members college and career exploration and development opportunities. Join our session to learn how service members across the globe can utilize Kuder Journey® to prepare for the future by aligning their skills, interests, and work values to a college program and career path through deepened self-understanding.

This presentation focuses on compassionate advising for military students dealing with trauma and explores how academic advisors can create a positive and safe educational experience by recognizing signs of trauma, utilizing trauma-informed communication, and providing available resources. This presentation will explore how to create a supportive academic environment, foster trust, and equip attendees with the essential tools to assist this unique student population, ultimately helping military students succeed academically.

Western Governors University is a change agent for competency-based education (CBE) and remains the only institution offering CBE degrees at scale - a model other colleges and universities strive to replicate. Traditional higher education prioritizes student contact time while CBE students leverage learned skills and knowledge to progress faster through courses, generally decreasing completion time and decreasing their costs. Military-affiliated students benefit from CBE since they are generally older and more experienced than traditional students.

This session will present how National University uses external resources to enhance the university's faculty and staff's cultural compendency of the military-affiliated learner's unique requirements.  While promoting student engagement, interaction, and success of the military-affiliated learners.  
 

 SMA Jack Tilley will delve into the multifaceted impacts of military transition, highlighting both the positive and negative aspects. He will emphasize the pivotal role that education plays during this transitional phase and elaborate on the responsibilities academic institutions bear in supporting Service Members and their families. SMA Tilley's insights promise to provide a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities that come with military transition, potential of education in shaping a successful post-military life.

The ICP continues to mature and evolve, while maintaining the consistency and transparency thathave been its foundations since its inception. This presentation will briefly review the overarchingphilosophy of the ICP, and provide examples of what’s expected of the participants that will make theoverall process more effective and efficient for all.

This session follows through on last year’s presentation on the modernization efforts of the Department of Defense Memorandum of Understanding (DoD MOU) system. As a result of the ongoing MOU system modernization effort, Educational Institutions can expect an improved user experience throughout all phases of the MOU application and renewal process. Join us as we reveal exciting MOU system updates on the horizon.

The journey from military service to civilian life is multifaceted, requiring robust support structures. The DoD SkillBridge program stands at this intersection, offering transitioning Service members unparalleled opportunities to prepare for civilian careers. This presentation will provide an overview of the DoD SkillBridge program and recent programmatic changes. Attendees will learn about the range of available opportunities and how to help Service members leverage DoD SkillBridge to complement their education, credentialing, career, and transition goals.  

This session addresses the evolving challenges faced by veterans in higher education and employment. Focusing on the dynamic job market, it explores the role of education and credentialing in shaping successful careers. Led by Syracuse University's D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families and College of Professional Studies, the presentation highlights the integration of alternative solutions to enhance veterans' marketability. The IVMF’s Onward to Opportunity Program empowers participants with industry-specific certifications, leveraging online learning for upskilling. Syracuse University’s College of Professional Studies offers accessible pathways to online competency-based degree and credentialing opportunities, including reducing financial barriers. Attendees will gain insights into practical methods for combining traditional and non-traditional education, fostering a collaborative discussion for resource-sharing.

The ASVAB Career Exploration Program (CEP) offers 16- to 24-year-olds validated skill and interest assessments with predictive ability, along with planning tools to articulate steps required to gain career field entry through many pathways. Post-secondary institutions can offer this no-cost program to help students identify their optimal career tracks and create plans. College and military educators will learn how they can leverage the ASVAB CEP to deliver a comprehensive planning resource to students.

Department of Defense (DOD) MilGears is an application powered by the services’ Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (COOL) data, allowing service members and veterans to explore and plan for their career and credentialing goals. This session provides an overview of MilGears, reviews new features and functionality, highlights the Learning and Employment Record (LER), and showcases how the LER may be used as a digital record to verify a service member’s learning and experience across multiple platforms.  

"People are not the enemy, rather, they are the core defense.
The Humanizing Security approach helps keep employees actively engaged in the cyber security of a company, as well as empowered to seek help when an attack occurs, rather than feeling shamed and victimized again after an attack takes place (or worse – trying to cover up that an attack or breach took place, out of fear of punishment or embarrassment)."

The DoD learning ecosystem is complex and dynamic, as are the public and private higher education ecosystems throughout the nation. A characteristic of these systems is that learning, and research activities become highly siloed in terms of institutional focus, capacity, and quality. Based on mission and sector, institutions tend to optimize on two of the following five facets. 
Research: Knowledge Production aligned with a public mission
Access: Prioritizing learning at a large scale, opening availability to as many learners as possible
Technology: Using technology to accelerate the depth and impact of knowledge acquisition impact in key learning areas
Excellence: Immersive learning with research-active faculty, teaching from a perspective of high-quality scientific inquiry
Service:  Organizational commitment that prioritizes public service in areas of critical national security and societal needs over competition and profit.
VolEd data suggests servicemembers self-align toward institutions that are optimized on Access and Technology, then (to a lesser degree) Service.  It is less clear if this alignment is intentionally sought by Service members, policy driven, or a result of barriers to entry along other RATES vectors.   
This general session will be a panel discussion, facilitated by Dr. Anderson of ACE and Dr. Woods of OSD  with a combination of DoD learning institutions and Higher Education learning institution leaders where the learning institution is optimized in different facets of the RATES knowledge and learning production framework, to include some institutions actively working to expand in each of these facets. 
CCME attendees will be engaged in thinking about what is gained and lost in our siloed ecosystem and how gains can be magnified, and losses mitigated in the future.

This session is focused on COOL and USMAP. Service member participation in the services’ credentialing programs (Credentialing Opportunities On-Line) andthe United Service Military Apprenticeship Program (USMAP) continues to impact servicemembers career readiness, professionalization, and transition.

This session offers a community-based approach to recognize those who choose military enlistment and how community efforts can link directly to national security interests. Our Community Salutes, USA, the recipient of the 2021 CCME Community Partnership Award, will assemble a panel of community and higher education leaders to discuss how both sectors can work together to better ensure new service members (and their parents/guardians) have access to early college planning information and resources.

The Walmart-funded Manufacturing Readiness project, in collaboration with Manufacturing Institute (MI), SOLID, and Jobs for the Future (JFF), is designing an alternative credential that clearly communicates military-earned skills and explores the utility of alternative digital credentials in the hiring process. This scalable framework supports the growing skills economy and recognition of military skills across the workforce, providing employers with an expanded pipeline of veteran talent. The session discusses lessons learned to-date, highlighting employer education and pilot progress.

In today's rapidly evolving educational landscape, academic success hinges on subject matter mastery and acquiring essential academic skills. The Online Academic Skills Course (OASC) is a dynamic, learner-centric program designed to equip Service members with the critical skills necessary for triumphing in higher education and advancing in their military careers. Join us for an immersive deep dive into this comprehensive online course, where we'll explore its multifaceted approach to enhancing academic readiness.

Education benefits continue to be the number one reason why individuals join the military. In this session you will learn about the history, mission, structure, and numerous education benefits provided by the Army National Guard and Army Reserve and how they are leading the way to academic goal attainment through innovative programming, benefits, and partnerships.

CAEL and Vantage Point have supported the SEMI Foundation with the design and development of a unique Semiconductor Career information and resources portal designed to inform and attract a new and diverse generation of workers into this high growth, strategic industry. The portal features a dynamic career pathway crosswalk feature for Veterans and Servicemembers. This presention provide VolEd Counselors and Educators a demonstration of this portal and a discussion of career entry opportunities for Servicemembers. 

VA Compliance Surveys and SAA Risk-based Surveys are routine and recurrent. School Certifying Officials are required to provide detailed student and institution information within a limited time frame; to do so successfully, institutions can prepare resources ahead of time allowing them to focus on pulling the student information. This presentation will explore practices institutions can use to make compliance and risk-based surveys easier to navigate and tips for understanding the requirements and preparing student documents.

What are the 3Rs of Results-Driven Recruiting and how can the 3Rs help you and your institution? Join Dr. Ashley Blake, who has worked in academia and with military-affiliated students for over 13 years, for a presentation titled: The 3Rs of Results-Driven Recruiting: Relationships, Retention, and ROI to explore how building meaningful relationships with the military community results in increased student retention and an ROI that extends beyond quantitative results.

The American Council on Education and the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) have partnered together to modernize the (ACE) Military Guide (AMG). The AMG is a powerful, free data tool to support colleges and universities nationwide! This next evolution in military credit for prior learning and student support allows you to maximize results for learners and foster clearer pathways to higher education, championing economic mobility. Since launching in April 2021, many lessons have been learned about data interoperability.  What can we learn from this tool? What can the data about credit awards and equivalencies tell us about military learners? How can this information inform the future of military and higher education? Join ACE in this session for a deeper dive into the ACE Military Guide with a special focus on how this innovative tool is enhancing data collection to help make informed decisions about the future of military education, maximizing results for learners, and fostering clearer pathways to higher education for adult and miliary learners.  Join us for a demonstration and see how you can leverage the system’s innovative capabilities.

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 an update of the CA Program, updates on the increased popularity, participation, and the new CA VCC.

The Navy College Program has made the largest transformational change since its inception in 1974. All services are 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 initiatives in technology, program enhancements, the reinstating of Base Education Needs Assessment and Memorandum of Agreement compliance with current and future academic partners, and the VOLED 50th Anniversary.

Service members obtain highly transferrable knowledge and skills during their time in the military. This session reveals innovative models for identifying learner-friendly training and education pathways as well as methodologies for assessing military prior learning for academic credit and competencies. Myths surrounding the adoption of competency-based education (CBE) and military credit for prior learning (MCPL) programs will be debunked while spotlighting academic institutions and employers currently leveraging career-relevant competencies to
recruit and retain highly qualified veterans.

Today’s student Veterans are different than those from five years ago. The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) has been redesigned to meet their needs. This session provides a TAP update and a thorough review of the Education Track. Tools and resources used to support service members as they transition into higher education are included. Educators can use this knowledge to connect with student veterans and build on the career planning initiated during TAP

The world has learned that education isn’t just about college but expectations and policy are still catching up. This session will explore the differences between degrees, certificates, and certifications to help frame policy for accountability and regulation. Certiffication exams are not meant for 100% pass rates or they would be a certificate. Policy needs to match expectations. 

Our panel will untangle the various state and federal responsibilities that postsecondary institutions must address when serving students by interstate distance education.  Not only do institutions need to be aware of requirements for students eligible for Veterans Benefits and Title IV Aid, but also the wide variation of state compliance requirements for state institutional approval and when serving students in professional licensure programs. Learn the distinctions and join a discussion to develop a compliance plan.

Creating a robust National Testing Center (NTC) program is a critical component in helping service members reach their educational goals. Effective on-base NTCs provide access to exams, facilitate educational counseling, and emphasize test preparedness. This session will provide attendees with important information on the tools, tips, and processes needed to maximize an on-base Credit-by-Exam testing program.