How do student service member and veteran social networks associate with STEM success?
A research study based in the Wisconsin Center for Education Research (WCER) on how the social and STEM career pathways of undergraduate student military service members and veterans connect.
VETWAYS explores the connections between student military service members and veteran experiences in undergraduate education and these students’ “social support networks,” or relationships that provide help, advice, camaraderie, or guidance.
What do the social support networks of student service members and veterans university in STEM programs look like, and how do they compare to the networks of civilian students?
How do student service members and veterans in STEM look at the value of their social support networks?”
Mission
With support from the National Science Foundation, research findings will not only inform broader efforts to overcome challenges these talented and capable students face in college, but also help college and university leaders better serve future science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professionals from highly skilled yet under-supported populations.
STEM
In recent years, student military service members and veterans (SSM/Vs) — a diverse undergraduate population with the technical training and capability to excel in STEM fields — have been one of the fastest-growing groups of nontraditional students in American higher education.
News
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VETWAYS completes fourth wave of Wisconsin data collection
VETWAYS has finished their fourth phase of data collection with Wisconsin participants.
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Benbow and Lee publish article on student vet services
Peer reviewed paper on student vet engagement with student services released
Research indicates that strong social support networks are linked to improved academic experiences for student service members and veterans (SSM/Vs).
Our survey data show SSM/Vs with larger social support networks, comprised of more university educators, have a greater sense of campus belonging, a greater sense of belonging in their college major, and more confidence in and satisfaction with their universities.
Comprehensive Findings
Findings in five universities on undergraduate student service members/veterans and non-military students.
VETWAYS Reports
Over the course of the VETWAYS study, five research briefs have been published to report on our findings. Explore the discoveries we’ve made.
Related Research
Current research programs from colleagues across the country focus on student military service members and veterans.
