There are 68 Veteran Upward Bound programs across the US dedicated to helping Veterans transition back to school. The personnel who run these are passionate about helping their Veterans overcome unique challenges and empowering them to succeed in their educational goals. Once a year, they meet at the National Association of Veterans Upward Bound Conference (NAVUB ‘24). This year, Halle Timpson (VUB Director) and I, Daniel Blackburn (VUB Ed Specialist), were both able to attend in Reno, Nevada. Halle and I both started with VUB about a year ago, and the conference allowed us to learn more about how VUB’s started, how it has changed, shared best practices, and overall gave us a sense of the community we joined.
As new NAVUB members, we were warmly welcomed by the community. Chevonne Neal, NAVUB President, emphasized the organization’s national reach. With 68 programs serving nearly 9,000 Veterans across 35 states, the VUB programs have a great potential to impact the lives of the Veteran community. The committee emphasized the opportunities for professional development, networking, and sharing ideas to empower VUB programs to better serve Veterans. Building relationships was the central focus of the conference and we were able to connect with dedicated professionals from across the country that work tirelessly to support their participants preparing for their educational journeys.
This year Dana Foreman, the Team Lead for VUB at the U.S. Dept. of Education and USMC Veteran, was able to share context on the programs national landscape. Kimberly Jones, President of Council for Opportunity in Education, provided a powerful perspective on advocacy and the importance of ensuring equal access to higher education for all. Both speakers helped advocate for VUB programs with the Department of Education and provided insight on problem solving, legislation, and representation.
As mentioned previously, there are 68 VUB programs in 35 states, which is more than ever before. It was fascinating to look back on the history of VUB. VUB grew from TRIO in 1972 in the wake of the Vietnam War, it was intended to meet the academic needs of Veterans returning from war. Legislators found that prior-service members were not using their GI Bill benefits and the VUB programs were established to help guide Veterans through the college application process and connecting them to a community on campus. It is interesting to think that Veterans then and now are facing the same kinds of challenges.
By far, the most valuable part of the NAVUB conference was the best practices shared. For example, Dr. Carrie Root’s (CEO and Founder of Alpha Umi) session on “Building Your Community” resonated deeply. Her emphasis on cultivating strong peer networks outside our program rings true, as it can provide Veterans with invaluable support beyond academics. Our office keeps a “whole body concept in mind,” because if someone is struggling in any aspect of life, they often will be unable to focus on their academics. As a result, we collaborate with many organizations to refer services to Veterans with whatever obstacles they may be facing.
Ben Blake (VUB Education Coordinator at Boise State University and USMC Veteran) oversaw a session on “Interacting with Veterans” offered practical strategies for building rapport and effectively communicating. I heard echoes of conversations our personnel have had with participants in the past. It was heartening to hear that our existing strategies for responding to Veterans align with best practices shared. Ultimately, communication is a crucial skill for ensuring everyone feels understood and supported in our program. Beyond these sessions, our VUB peers were consistently asking questions and exchanging ideas. Challenges we face in recruiting and serving were met with suggestions that are working for programs across the nation.
Overall, the NAVUB Conference was an amazing experience. It was wonderful to network with colleagues from across the country, often Veterans serving Veterans. The special topics and best practices provided new tools and ideas for serving Veterans. Furthermore, It provided a wealth of new connections, best practices, and resources. We left feeling energized and excited to implement what we learned to create an even more supportive and successful program. The knowledge and connections gained at NAVUB ‘24 will allow us to make a significant impact on the lives of the Veterans in our program. We are eager to put these new tools into action and empower our community to achieve their educational goals.
Daniel Allen Blackburn
Veterans Upward Bound Educational Specialist