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91��Ƶ is nationally recognized for its student success resources and support of military-connected students.

At the Center for Adult and Veterans Services, known as CAVS, staff members connect nontraditional students to a variety of resources and help them find a sense of belonging on campus.

91��ƵToday’s series, “Golden Guide,” highlights university departments and resources focused on student support and success.  

Nontraditional students – meaning students who are veterans, who enrolled in college after the age of 25 or are caregivers – make up about 10% to 15% of Kent State’s student population, said Joshua Rider, executive director of CAVS.

“Many of the things here are built towards engaging the traditional student, and there's nothing wrong with that,” Rider said. “[Nontraditional students are] a very important population to engage to make sure that they feel valued, make sure that they know that they matter here and then want to stay here.”

In addition to connecting students to services, CAVS staff host events and provide spaces for connection and support, Rider said.

“That's what we really are here for, is to connect them to on- and off-campus resources that are going to make their time so much easier here on campus,” Rider said.

For adult learners, as well as students who are balancing parenting and caregiving responsibilities, CAVS staff can offer support and insight, he added.

“We provide resources, connecting them to good off-campus child care, connecting them to living in the community,” Rider said. “And, making sure that we have programs and services that support those folks that are coming back through newsletters, through connecting them with each other, through open houses … so they can build a community here.”

One of the center’s main focuses is handling U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs educational benefits compliance for veterans, current military members and their dependents. Staff members process those benefits and handle compliance for students at Regional Campuses as well, Rider said.

“We’re a central point of contact for you,” Rider said. “We handle all the compliance and everything on the back end that students don't have to worry about.”

Kent State’s robust support of veterans and military-connected students has been nationally recognized, recently earning a Seven Seals Award from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a national organization that fosters cooperation and understanding between military service members and their employers.

For 17 consecutive years, 91��Ƶhas earned the Military Friendly School designation, demonstrating a commitment to supporting military-connected students. The Kent Campus earned the highest recognition of a Gold ranking for three consecutive years.

Kent State’s centralized support of veterans sets it apart from other institutions, Rider said.

“It shows a university commitment as a whole in the areas of academic advising, in the areas of student accessibility and support, in the areas of basic needs support; these kind of factors that help out this guard and reserve population,” Rider said.

Students can learn more about CAVS on its website or social media, or by scheduling an appointment at its new offices on the second floor of the Kent Student Center.

“Right up in the heart of it all on campus,” Rider said. “A lot of different places to come, sit, hang out, so please come and connect with us and talk to us.”