Educators Acculturating to Serve Student Veterans and Service Members

Abstract

Though literature on student veterans and service members’ (SVSM) transition to higher education has increased, absent is literature on the transition of non-veteran student affairs staff who work with SVSM. Using an acculturation model as a conceptual framework, this study explored strategies and processes used to adapt to working with an unfamiliar student population at a community college and research institution. Strategies included hiring a “savior” to avoid acculturation stress.