“Some Agency in the Situation”: Veterans in Higher Education

Although benefits such as the G.I. Bill and Vocational Readiness and Employment services exist for American veterans reacclimating to civilian life, the world of higher education can seem like an overwhelming task for transitioning veterans. In an interview between Professor Benjamin Cooper and medically-retired Marine Corps Sergeant Charles Ray, they discuss Sergeant Ray’s higher-education experiences, including the challenges and successes he has encountered at various institutions. The conversation underscores practical academic resources that are available specifically for American veteran students, as well as opportunities for bureaucratic efficiencies in universities and in Veterans Affairs. Ultimately, the interview offers advice for both veteran students and university personnel about how to support one another, and Sergeant Ray reminds veterans of the skills they have cultivated through their military service that prepare them for academic success.