Veteran to Scholar Boot Camp

Mission

ECU’s Veteran to Scholar boot camp aims to assist new student Veterans make a successful transition from military to university life. The program provides soft skills training necessary for academic success, while building community and connecting participants with relevant campus resources.

History

The original program was established in 2017 and developed with funding support from the National Endowment for the Humanities’ Dialogues on the Experience of War initiative. Since then this program has served a small group of incoming student Veterans beginning their new lives as students; preparing students for academic success by building the “soft skills” necessary for university success (such as communication, critical reading, time management, and writing skills). Participants hone their classroom skills by discussing war novels, films, and short stories and toured relevant student success initiatives on campus.

Information

The Veteran to Scholar Boot Camp takes place on the ECU campus throughout the first two weeks of August; running Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day. As part of the program, participants will receive a thorough introduction to university life through ECU’s Military & Veterans Resource Center (MVRC). MVRC staff will provide guidance on Veteran benefits and other student transition issues by specifically helping student Veterans manage their GI Bill benefits and orienting them to resources and services on campus (such as the Veterans’ Lounge with quiet workspace).

The academic program focuses on the establishment of “soft skills” through the study of humanities texts related to the experience of war. Reading novels and short stories, listening to songs, viewing films, and discussing military folklore reveals how the experience of war and the emotions surrounding it—boredom, rage, camaraderie, grief, elation—are universal to the war experience rather than the result of an individual’s personality traits. Students will explore a variety of texts and discuss them with relevant experts.

Upon completion of the program, all participants receive three humanities general education credit toward their fall semester hours so that they can take a reduced course load (9 hours) during the actual fall semester. Books and snacks will be provided, as will the mid-program kayak trip.

What are participating student veterans saying about Veteran to Scholar?

“While attending the course I wanted to be sure to re-develop the confidence needed to navigate not only the campus and classrooms, but the software and webpages required to be a student this day in age. I wanted to brush up on some academic skills, and people skills. All while building connections with a class of students that had a very significant thing in common with me. Dr. Froula, and Dr. Eagan have done an excellent job at leading this course and incorporating a great deal of lessons on the side. We have covered veteran related novels and movies that have touched up on a lot of subjects our demographic has a hard time talking about.

And in doing so we have all developed the idea that none of us are alone, and because this program can do that, it is worth its weight in gold. In this course I have read more in a few weeks than I have in years combined, I have relearned reading and writing techniques that will benefit me in my academic career, I have worked on public speaking skills and getting rid of the anxiety that comes with it, and have taken the first steps in integrating here on campus.

As a veteran, I can confidently say our community does not like to step out of our comfort zone. This program has shown me that there is nothing to be nervous about, we are welcomed, and we will do great things here!” -8th Squadmember, 2024

“This program has restored my confidence that I can succeed in the college environment.”

“This is a great way for vets to get into the mindset of a college student, meet some like-minded individuals, and become acquainted with ECU in general.”

“As the semester comes to a close, I realized that I have utilized a lot of resources around campus that I would not have known where there if it were not for this program. I constantly go to the student tutoring center and the gym. I sometimes find myself in the library just for some peace and quiet and it is a great place to get some homework done in the middle of the day. Due to the program I know where all the resources are around school and now know how to utilize them to my advantage to help me succeed in school.”

“From learning about campus resources to making networking connections with other veterans, I view this program as a great success, and I will continue to tell the other veterans in my classes about this program for years to come.”

2018 Media Coverage

2018: “Program at ECU Helps Veterans Adjust to Live on Campus,” WCTI

“East Carolina University is Providing College Transition Assistance to Military Veterans,” WITN

“Veteran to Scholar Program Comes to ECU,” WNCT

“ECU Program Helps Veterans Transition to Student Life,” Daily Reflector

2017 Media Coverage

“ECU Researcher Will Use NEH Grant to Work with Student Veterans,” ECU Blog

“Grant-funded Program Supports Student Veterans,” ECU News Services

“Soldier to Scholar Program at ECU Seeks to Help Student Veterans,” WITN

“Pilot Program Helps Make Soldiers into Successful Students,” WCTI

“ECU Receives Grant for Veteran Transition Program,” WNCT

For more information or to enroll, please contact:

Dr. Anna Froula
Veteran to Scholar Program Director
(252) 328-6663
froulaa@ecu.edu

Dr. Sheena M. Eagan
Veteran to Scholar Program co-Director
(252) 744-2492
Eagansh17@ecu.edu