Graduation Year

2021

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Ph.D.

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Degree Granting Department

Adult, Career and Higher Education

Major Professor

Victor M. Hernandez, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Jolyn Blank, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Thomas E. Miller, Ed.D.

Committee Member

William Blank, Ph.D.

Keywords

Explanatory Case Study, Positive Solutions, Schlossberg’s Transition Theory, Veteran Student Experience

Abstract

The purpose of this explanatory case study was to learn how a designated veteran services office on a university campus supports student veterans preparing to transition into the civilian workforce after their college graduation. This study provided an in-depth understanding of the operations of a nationally recognized veteran services office by sharing the perspectives of the office staff as well as the experiences of the veteran students who have used the office. Qualitative research methods for data collection and analysis were incorporated through semi-structured interviews, observations, and thematic coding analysis guided by a constructivist paradigm and Schlossberg’s Transition Theory as the conceptual framework. Findings discovered that the customized career readiness services, transition resources, and support strategies offered through the office were established in response to the specific needs of student veterans and the veteran participants all had helpful positive experiences utilizing the office. With the Office of Veteran Services operating with the end goal in mind of civilian career success, this study found the strategies and support provided by the office were positive solutions to prepare veteran students for the civilian employment challenges they could experience after college graduation. The results of this research serve as a rationale for why the quality and quantity of designated veteran services offices should be improved to be consistently available on all university campuses throughout the nation offering similar career readiness and transition strategies supporting veterans to be successful while in college and beyond.

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