Student Veterans in Transition: The Impact of Peer Community
Author(s): Jenner, B. M.
Citation: Jenner, B. M. (2019). Student Veterans in Transition: The Impact of Peer Community. Journal of The First-Year Experience & Students in Transition, 31(1), 69-83.
Abstract
Differences in contextual norms between the U.S. military and institutions of higher education mean that student veterans may experience difficulty integrating into the wider campus community, leading to educational inequity. However, this situation may be mitigated by the presence of a strong student veteran peer community. Previous studies of student veterans in higher education have shown that connecting with peers (particularly peers who have military experience) is an important part of the college experience; however, the nature of these peer connections has yet to be investigated. The current study examines the experiences of veterans at a Southern California community college’s Veteran Resource Center to illuminate the role of peer community for veterans transitioning from military service into higher education. Results indicate the presence of a robust veteran peer community can play a pivotal role in veterans’ transition to higher education.
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