UWM, A Veteran’s Second Home

Tony Mitchler, a junior at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, remembers making the decision to enroll at UWM after a life-changing event.

“After serving in the Army, I returned to my hometown of Waukesha,” said Mitchler. “I knew that the next step in my life was to attend college.”

Mitchler is just one of 1,459 students that were or currently are enrolled in the military and are taking classes at UWM.

On March 27, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee University Committee met to discuss topics that affect the future of UWM. A topic that received positive feedback was that UWM educates more veterans than any other four-year college or university in the six-state region. Only the top 15% of schools in the nation achieve this designation each year.

“I chose UWM over other universities because of the communicative setting,” said Anna Williams, a senior majoring in criminal justice. “I appreciate all the resources available, as well as the respect, received when speaking to professors and instructors.”

In the course of the meeting, the University Committee decided to brainstorm ideas on how to continue educating more veterans than any other college or university in the six-state region, and how they received that honor.

The journey of a resource center for military and student veterans began as a joint effort between the Veterans Advisory Council that composed of UWM faculty and staff members that were military veterans themselves, the Student Veterans of America, and campus leadership.

All three groups acknowledged the participation service members brought to UWM and the community, including the struggle of processing from the military into the noncombatant world.

In November of 2012, the Military and Veterans Resource Center (MAVRC) opened. The mission is to address the challenges faced by current and former service members and contribute towards UWM student veterans in earning their college degree and completing a successful transition into the noncombatant workplace.

The center provides support for veterans of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, National Guard and Coast Guard. They also provide assistance for The Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) cadets, members of Military Reserve Units and to children and spouses of service members.

“Applying to UWM was an easy decision because I knew someone on campus who spoke positive about the veteran benefits,” said Matthew Cabe. “Being able to speak and hang out with other student veterans was important to me.”

From enrollment to work/study internships, graduation, and job placement, the office provides opportunities that are strengthened through shared experiences as its staff are student veterans who understand the educational process and are committed to helping other transition from the military to life at UWM with 4 primary goals.

Those 4 goals are: serving as a safe zone for all military and veteran students, educating and raising awareness around the UWM community, enabling connections on campus, and establishing partnerships to provide veterans with opportunities for the future.

“After leaving the Air Force, I had no intention of going back to school,” said Greg Tauscher, a junior majoring in business. “I feel that UWM has a great program for veterans and I would highly recommend UWM to all veterans.”

Recently, their staff conducted a survey of human resources, management and operation professionals from multinational companies that have headquarters in the Milwaukee area. These professionals noted that:

“The MAVRC Corporate Partner Program builds strategic alliances between UWM                    corporations, and foundations. The purpose of these alliances is to build beneficial                    relationships with external partners to support student veterans as they complete their                    academic studies and begin to transition onto their desired career paths.”

By partnering with this program, it offers veterans with benefits such as internships, career mentors, service workshops, leadership training, and networking opportunities that are conducted by professionals who work for local companies in the Milwaukee Area.

“I have chosen UWM because it is a great institution for higher learning and diversity,” said Savannah Cousins, a senior majoring in Criminal Justice. “UWM has a lot of activities for veterans both on and off campus.”

Besides MAVRC, veterans also have access to the Military Education Benefits Office (MEBO), where they help in getting GI Bill benefits set up, and an onsite veterans affair counselor who helps veterans thrive towards the competition of their education.

“There are a lot of veterans and services related to vets’ needs here at UWM,” said Christopher Dowlding, a sophomore majoring in education. “The support UWM has for its vets is amazing.”

For information on supporting the mission of the UWM Military and Veterans Resource Center, call the UWM Foundation to make your gift over the phone or request assistance at (414) 906-4640 or by visiting their website.