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Posted on Jun 30, 2017

Jared Lyon from Student Veterans of America (SVA) was here on 7/10/17 for a Q&A.

PO2 Jared Lyon

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*RP Staff will be monitoring this discussion*

From RP Staff: We're honored to welcome Jared Lyon, CEO of Student Veterans of America (SVA), to RallyPoint for a Live Q&A. As a Navy Diver, then bachelors and masters degree graduate at Florida State and Syracuse Universities, Jared's personal experience is one to model. He's joining us to discuss education, the SVA, and his own personal journey.

Posted in these groups: Military civilian 600x338

Transition Af6c18d2

Student Veterans of America (SVA) Graduation cap

Education

Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Bde637ff

Q&A

Posted >1 y ago

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Responses: 30

COL Mikel J. Burroughs

Edited >1 y ago

Posted >1 y ago

RALLYPOINT CONTINUES TO BRING THE VERY BEST IN HONORED GUEST TO ITS MEMBERS!

RP MEMBERS AND CONNECTIONS - PLEASE JOIN IN ON THE RALLYPOINT LIVE Q&A WITH PO2 Jared Lyon ON JULY 10, 2017.

WHAT A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO ASK THE REALLY GOOD QUESTIONS ABOUT EDUCATION FOR VETERANS DURING AND AFTER TRANSITION, JARED'S PERSONAL EXPERIENCES, THE STUDENT VETERANS OF AMERICA (SVA) INITIATIVE, LEADERSHIP, AND MUCH MORE.

PLEASE POST YOUR QUESTION TODAY:
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/hi-everyone-jared-lyon-from-student-veterans-of-america-sva-here-i-ll-be-by-for-a-live-q-a-on-july-10th-what-questions-do-you-have

THE RALLYPOINT FORUM CONTINUES TO PROVIDE THESE GREAT OPPORTUNITIES TO ALL OF OUR VETERANS, SERVICE MEMBERS, RETIREES, CIVILIAN RECRUITERS, CIVILIAN SUPPORTERS, AND MILITARY FAMILY MEMBERS TO REACH OUT & ASK QUESTIONS TO FORMER SERVICE MEMBERS AND LEADERS OF OUR COUNTRY.

YOUR GREAT PARTICIPATION IS WELCOME, APPRECIATED, AND NEEDED TO KEEP THIS TYPE OF FORUM MOVING FORWARD.

THANKS FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

CAPT Michael Moran SSG Diane R.MAJ Brad Friedlander SGT Ordway Van Hee Cpl Kevin Partlow

Hi everyone, Jared Lyon from Student Veterans of America (SVA) here, I'll be by for a Live Q&A on...

*RP Staff will be monitoring this discussion*From RP Staff: We're honored to welcome Jared Lyon, CEO of Student Veterans of America (SVA), to RallyPoint for a Live Q&A. As a Navy Diver, then bachelors and masters degree graduate at Florida State and Syracuse Universities, Jared's personal experience is one to model. He's joining us to discuss education, the SVA, and his own personal journey.

Jennifer Farley

>1 y

Another excellent guest! Looking forward to it!

PO2 Jared Lyon

>1 y

Thanks, Mikel - glad to be here!

COL Mikel J. Burroughs

>1 y

PO2 Jared Lyon - Awesome - thank you!

CPT Bob McDonald

Posted >1 y ago

Jared, nice picture! Please describe for participants their GI Bill benefits, the importance of using them for education, and how their education transforms their life trajectory. Thanks.

CPT David Gowel

>1 y

Great question CPT Bob McDonald. As a related follow up for PO2 Jared Lyon, what does your data suggest are the most underutilized GI Bill benefits and which subsets of the military community are missing out on them most often?

PO2 Jared Lyon

>1 y

Bob, excellent question as always. In my own life, education has been the key to successful transition, which is consistent with a majority of those who transition out of the military as well (over half go right to school as they exit the service). There is no better transition than the opportunity to earn an education, which is an achievement that stays with you for life--nobody can take that away. Additionally, today's economy is increasingly demanding degrees in fields like science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). We're working hard to make it possible for those interested in a STEM degree to receive a fifth year of GI Bill, as we know the value of STEM degrees to veterans and the country writ-large. I highly encourage you to check out the College Factual guide to choosing a school, as well as VA's resources on this: https://collegefactual.clickfunnels.com/sva, http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/choosing_a_school.asp

Help for Former ITT & Ashford Students. Find Your Future Faster.

SVA is partnering with College Factual to provide free resources and help for former ITT students. Find the right college, majors and career for you!

CPT Bob McDonald

>1 y

Thanks Jared. Education especially STEM is a game changer!

SGT (Join to see)

Posted >1 y ago

The only SVA chapters in Hampton Roads currently are ODU and William & Mary.

What are common issues and growing pains you've seen associated with starting a new SVA chapter?
What challenges are unique to brick-and-mortar and online programs?

If you went back to Syracuse University, what changes would you prioritize within that SVA chapter?

Sgt Trevor Barrett

>1 y

I had a few questions:

What do you thinks the best way to find a veteran friendly college is?

What are the best resources to use to translate military skills and leadership into either a profession or academic program?

How is the SVA working with colleges to retain student veterans?

PO2 Jared Lyon

>1 y

Hey, Jacqueen - when a Chapter first gets off the ground at at a brick-and-mortar institution the biggest focus is in recruitment and campus engagement. For a Chapter at an online institution, the focus is similar, but rather than in-person meetings it's helpful to make sure you have a mechanism in place to connect w/ fellow members virtually. Luckily, many online schools have some great resources for this.

I wouldn't change much at my alma mater of Syracuse University, they're doing a great job!

PO2 Jared Lyon

>1 y

Sgt Trevor Barrett - Great questions Trevor. Here is a resource when choosing an undergrad school program: https://collegefactual.clickfunnels.com/sva, also helpful is: https://www.vets.gov/gi-bill-comparison-tool or just give us a call at the SVA National HQ: [login to see]

Help for Former ITT & Ashford Students. Find Your Future Faster.

SVA is partnering with College Factual to provide free resources and help for former ITT students. Find the right college, majors and career for you!

Sgt Trevor Barrett

>1 y

Thank you for your response and your passion for helping your fellow service members! I am currently a Grad student at Rochester Institute of Technology. However I have recently started a new career within higher education as an Assistant Director for the Veteran Services office at RIT. I absolutely love my new job but I have a lot to learn so thank you for your support!

Capt Jimmy Santos

Posted >1 y ago

I saw PO2 Jared Lyon speak at a US Chamber of Commerce Hire Out Heroes event a few weeks ago in Boston. Intelligent, well spoken, great advocate for post 9/11 veterans.

SN Greg Wright

>1 y

Point of order: there's a LOT more pre-9/11 vets.

Capt Jimmy Santos

>1 y

The discussion we had was more geared to Post 9/11 veterans and their transition. We didnt have the opportunity to take about other generations of veterans.

PO2 Jared Lyon

>1 y

Thanks, Jimmy and it's a good point Greg - If you can believe it, a 96 year old student veteran recently became the oldest graduate in the history of the University of Southern California, definitely a lot of pre-9/11 veterans out there: https://news.usc.edu/99637/one-unit-short-wii-vet-returns-to-become-uscs-oldest-graduate-at-96/

One unit short, WWII vet returns to become USC’s oldest graduate at 96

Alfonso Gonzales started at USC in 1947 as the first person in his family to go to college.

SSgt Timothy Prevost

Posted >1 y ago

Hope you don't mind answering questions about your hardy vet beard!

PO2 Jared Lyon

>1 y

Never mind those types of questions, #BeardsInCharge

CPT David Gowel

Posted >1 y ago

Hi PO2 Jared Lyon, thanks for joining us on RallyPoint. Although I've heard good things about it, I have not yet been to SVA's National Conference. Is the value in attending focused on current student veterans, prospective student veterans, or both?

PO2 Jared Lyon

>1 y

Hi David - this is an awesome question! First off, you have to come to the SVA National Conference, we call it NatCon for short. NatCon is a great resource for those student veterans currently attending college, those looking to attend college, those getting great to graduate or alums - you can find more info here http://conference.studentveterans.org/ and we hope to see you in San Antonio, TX this January!

SVA Annual SVA National Conference

SVA’s National Conference is the largest the largest annual gathering of student veterans, advocates, thought-leaders, stakeholders, and supporters in higher education in the world. Student veterans, higher education professionals, alumni, and advocates will have the opportunity to learn from more than 2,000 of their peers at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, January 5 – 7 2018.

Roberto Garcia

Edited >1 y ago

Posted >1 y ago

Thanks for joining us, PO2 Jared Lyon! It's great to know that service members are fortunate enough to have Student Veterans of Americans. Helping out vets with scholarships is incredibly important.

But, I'm interested in learning more about how SVA helps vets connect with their alumni network so that they may find mentorship opportunities. Are these opportunities internships that are offered to vets during college or are they leadership development programs so that they have the chance to know what career path they want to pursue? Go Noles!

SGT (Join to see)

>1 y

Go Gators!

PO2 Jared Lyon

>1 y

Hi Roberto, great question - at the Chapter level, many student veterans have great ties to their alums. Nationally, we are working w/ great organizations like RallyPoint and LinkedIn to ensure that all student veterans have the opportunity to connect to SVA alums, regardless of what their alma mater. Finally, here is a great resource for student veterans to seek mentors from our partners at Veterati https://www.veterati.com/sva/

MENTORS. The key to your dream career.

Veterati is a free mentorship platform for Service Members, Veterans, and Military Spouses to access unlimited mentors. Our mentors are successful professionals volunteering to serve those who have served our country. Our mission is to transform job search from a painful experience into an inspiring journey through the power of mentorship.

PO2 Jared Lyon

>1 y

SGT (Join to see) - oh no, it's all about the 'Noles :)

Capt Brandon Charters

Edited >1 y ago

Posted >1 y ago

Thanks for joining us, PO2 Jared Lyon. One of the greatest benefits we receive as service members is an education. It's hard to hear when policy recommendations are made that would potentially change our opportunities when it comes to higher ed. What do you see as the largest threat to our current benefits and how can we take action as a veteran community?

PO2 Jared Lyon

>1 y

Brandon - No threats but definitely lots of opportunity to improve the GI Bill and how it works for student veterans. We're advocating for changes to the GI Bill to make it a lifetime benefit, to increase benefits for students earning a STEM degree, and to better support survivors and Purple Heart recipients. You can read more about our policy priorities at http://www.forevergibill.org. Help us spread the word!

#ForeverGIBill

We want to be remembered as the generation who gave back and secured the GI Bill into the next century. We seek a lifetime GI Bill for future generations of veterans that is protected from cuts by Congress. Student Veterans of America and a coalition of partners will advocate for this expansion and protection. Download our factsheet to learn more.

LTC Stephen C.

Posted >1 y ago

No questions, PO2 Jared Lyon, just my thanks to you for your service and what you continue to do in your work for veterans.

PO2 Jared Lyon

>1 y

Thank you for your service, Stephen!

SPC Douglas Bolton

Posted >1 y ago

PO2 Jared Lyon No real question, but as a retired educator, I thank you for what you do to help our veterans.

PO2 Jared Lyon

>1 y

Thanks, Douglas! I teach as well, so please accept my thanks for your work in the classroom, too.

Jared Lyon from Student Veterans of America (SVA) was here on 7/10/17 for a Q&A.

Join nearly 2 million former and current members of the US military, just like you.