Sharyn
I’m planning to attend the Maryland National Guard Forum on Veterans Reintegration on January 12, 2010. I thought it would be interesting to hear first hand from Cheryl Mannon, from Towson University’s Academic Affairs division, about her experience planning the event and what attendees can expect. Here’s what she had to say:
Q: The Maryland National Guard is sponsoring a series of forums at Towson University. The first one is coming up on January 12 and the focus is on higher education and business. What can attendees expect?
A: The first day is designed for post-secondary educators (community colleges, universities and trade schools) and will inform them about the unique challenges that returning veterans face on our campuses. We have speakers who have developed programs, MD National Guard experts in educational benefits and student and administrator panels to discuss their experiences on campus. Educators will work in teams to develop ideas for action plans to take back and implement on their own campuses.
Q: Who are the featured speakers for the forum on January 12?
A: We’re very happy to have Dr. John Schupp, from Cleveland State University, who has started a unique veterans program on his campus and Buzz Williams, a Towson alum and author of “Spare Parts: A Marine Reservist’s Journey from Campus to Combat in 38 Days”, a memoir of his experience as a student being deployed during the Gulf War. We have reintegration and benefits experts from the MD National Guard, several behavioral health professionals discussing challenges to the individual and to families and a chaplain to talk about community support for our student vets.
Guest panelists from local schools include representatives from Anne Arundel Community College, Community College of Baltimore County, University of Maryland, University College, Towson University and Montgomery Community College. Each of the panelists have worked on veterans programming at their institutions and will share their successes and challenges. Finally, there will be a veteran student panel to talk about their experiences on campus with ideas on improving our support systems.
Q: How did Towson University get selected to host the event?
A: One of our adjunct professors in the Psychology Department, Dr. Christine Harnett , works with the MD National Guard on reintegration issues and recommended us to the director of reintegration programs, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Gafney.
Q: What other events are planned as part of this forum series?
A: On January 13, the second day of the series will focus on employing and integrating veterans in the workforce. There are many government programs available to employers who hire vets and many employers who promote hiring and training of veterans. We’d like to begin a network for veterans across the state of educators and employers.
A third conference may be held in June on campus and will focus on medical and behavioral health professionals in the community.
Q: What is the cost to attend the forums and how does someone register? Can anyone attend the forum?
A: The Maryland National Guard has sponsored this event with the stipulation that it be free to all participants. Registration is online at www.towson.edu/nationalguardexpo . The event is open to all registrants (space available) although it is tailored specifically to post-secondary educators.
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