Posted on Jun 30, 2017
Jared Lyon from Student Veterans of America (SVA) was here on 7/10/17 for a Q&A.
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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.
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: 
Transition
Student Veterans of America (SVA)
Education
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)
Q&A
Transition Student Veterans of America (SVA) Education Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Q&A
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 30
Good morning Jared, are there any military benefits that assist in completing a master's degree for those of us who have already used the GI bill for our Bachelor degree? Thank you in advance.
PO2 Jared Lyon Thanks for being a part of the Discussion on RallyPoint Jared. What kept you motivated while you were attending your undergraduate and graduate degree programs?
In your own words what is your vision as the CEO of the Students Veterans of America (SVA) Organization now and 20 years in the future?
In your own words what is your vision as the CEO of the Students Veterans of America (SVA) Organization now and 20 years in the future?
PO2 Jared Lyon
Wow, Mikel - great question! I was never a very strong student, but I always say what I lack in smarts, I make up for through hard work. What motivated me most while attending my undergrad and grad programs was the camaraderie and sense of sister & brotherhood I felt in my SVA Chapters at Florida State and Syracuse University respectively. Those folks are among my closest friends today and they really kept me going, especially during finals!
My vision as CEO for SVA is that never again will the generation that comes behind us have to say "I wish I would have known" or "I wish someone would have told me" as it pertains to their education and the options that an education post-military service offers. I believe that education is the great equalizer and want to ensure that all veterans motivated enough to want to pursue their education have the opportunity to succeed to, through and beyond higher education.
My vision as CEO for SVA is that never again will the generation that comes behind us have to say "I wish I would have known" or "I wish someone would have told me" as it pertains to their education and the options that an education post-military service offers. I believe that education is the great equalizer and want to ensure that all veterans motivated enough to want to pursue their education have the opportunity to succeed to, through and beyond higher education.
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
PO2 Jared Lyon - Excellent response for your undergraduate and graduate programs. I felt the same way when I returned after doing 5, almost 6 years AD and attended Illinois State University and I completed my graduate work at the Army War College as a LTC from 2000 to 2002. Great vision by the way for the company. Congratulations on your success and continue to push forward! Thanks Jared
Hi Jared, Thanks for taking the time to join us on RP!
What key advise can you give members that are preparing to transition from active service to the "college experience" and how can they leverage SVA to find the right university and program, whether through specific chapters and/or other SVA resources?
What key advise can you give members that are preparing to transition from active service to the "college experience" and how can they leverage SVA to find the right university and program, whether through specific chapters and/or other SVA resources?
PO2 Jared Lyon
Hey Kevin, good questions! My advice? Join SVA! Membership is free and we offer resources to help student veterans to, through, and beyond higher education. Check out all our great resources (from some great partners) at http://studentveterans.org/programs/program-resources .
Student Veterans of America strives to provide practical, useful resources to support our vision of ensuring all veterans succeed in higher education, achieve their academic goals, and gain meaningful employment. The following partners provide services which we believe can significantly help you in your pursuit of academic and career excellence. Check them out and let us know what you think!
No questions, but would like to say, thank you for your service, and your dedication to helping veterans.
SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth
PO2 Jared Lyon - Thank you for the support that you give to fellow veterans.
PO2 Jared Lyon: CONGRATULATIONS, PETTY OFFICER SECOND CLASS: ON ALL OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS!
WE are Very HONORED to have you with us.
I have only snorkeled (down, fairly deep, in the ocean)....What is it Like to be a NAVY DIVER?!! You must have seen some spectacular-albeit grim-sights/sites.
Also, I would love to get my masters....how difficult is it; to get one's masters, Petty Officer Second Class JARED LYON?
-With My Warmest Regards to You-
Margaret C. Higgins U.S. Army Retired: Coach/Photographer
WE are Very HONORED to have you with us.
I have only snorkeled (down, fairly deep, in the ocean)....What is it Like to be a NAVY DIVER?!! You must have seen some spectacular-albeit grim-sights/sites.
Also, I would love to get my masters....how difficult is it; to get one's masters, Petty Officer Second Class JARED LYON?
-With My Warmest Regards to You-
Margaret C. Higgins U.S. Army Retired: Coach/Photographer
PO2 Jared Lyon
Hooyah! Getting your master's is a very personal decision. I would say if you have the passion for a particular subject area and the drive to put in the work, go for it!
When will SVA take a more aggressive stance to support active military and military veteran higher education students to guide them to colleges and universities that have better outcomes. Today, military veteran higher education spending with post 9/11 GI Bill and DOD Tuition Assistance are in the lower tier of colleges and universities in terms of higher education outcomes. SVA needs to be far more aggressive to guide military veteran students to colleges and universities with better outcomes such as graduation rates, retention, low tuition, and lower student debt.
A Few Articles By Me On This Subject:
http://www.thegriffon108.com/Articles/Article-Detail/ArticleId/6108/10-Tips-for-Military-Veterans-to-Succeed-in-College
http://opslens.com/2017/01/11/veterans-higher-education-gi-bill/
https://www.thecollegepick.com/single-post/2016/11/28/US-Military-Affiliated-Students-Over-Represented-In-Poorly-Performing-Higher-Education-Institutions
A Few Articles By Me On This Subject:
http://www.thegriffon108.com/Articles/Article-Detail/ArticleId/6108/10-Tips-for-Military-Veterans-to-Succeed-in-College
http://opslens.com/2017/01/11/veterans-higher-education-gi-bill/
https://www.thecollegepick.com/single-post/2016/11/28/US-Military-Affiliated-Students-Over-Represented-In-Poorly-Performing-Higher-Education-Institutions
10 Tips for Military Veterans to Succeed in College
Military veterans have an incredible financial benefit from their military service in the Post 9/11 GI Bill, college and university grants, and other forms of financial aid. The GI Bill gives military
PO2 Jared Lyon
Hey Chad, great feedback. Our peer-reviewed research shows that today's student veterans (around 73%) prefer to attend non-profit public and private schools. Public schools alone account for 63% of degrees earned by students using the Post-9/11 GI Bill. They're also performing better academically than their peers. We agree student veterans should attend a school that serves their best interests, but also that student veterans are talent hiding in plain sight in schools across the country today. Check out our ground breaking research at http://nvest.studentveterans.org/ for more!
NVEST – National Veteran Education Success Tracker
Over the course of three reports, we will demonstrate how student veterans perform in higher education. Based on the initial results, today’s student veteran represents the best source of potential and current achievers in higher education.
Jared, in your opinion what is the most important function 'each chapter' can perform?
PO2 Jared Lyon
Hi George, thanks for the question! in my opinion, I would say that the most important function each SVA Chapter can preform is that of serving as the first touch-point when new veterans arrive on campus. Often when veterans arrive on a college campus, we are older than our peers and it can be very helpful to be greeted by a fellow sister or brother in arms when we first show up on campus. This can serve as the foundation for restoring the camaraderie often sited as the number one aspect of military service we as veterans miss when transitioning out of the military.
I am the current Chapter President of the AMU/APUS Chapter and USAF Retired, I am curious to know why veterans in large have a hard time finding good jobs. Yes, places like Walmart and other stores will offer them jobs, but what about jobs that are more inline with their experience and education? I hear words like "longevity (older) or "stability" (every vet has PTSD and is a threat" or inexperience in the private sector. How do we, through education, overcome these barriers?
PO2 Jared Lyon
Hey Charles - Great questions and appreciate your service to SVA as a Chapter President. We connect veterans to unique employment opportunities to companies like Amazon, Raytheon, and more through SVA Beyond, our career portal for student veterans. Check it out at http://studentveteransofamerica.jobs. We hear from our partners all the time about how much they love working with and recruiting student veterans!
Student Veterans of America Jobs - All Jobs
Real jobs from real companies. Updated daily. Only verified, open positions at top companies. Student Veterans of America Jobs
TSgt Charles Palocy
Thank you Jared, is there plans to work with larger federal groups like FEMA or DHS now that we have a military Secretary? My field is emergency management and many places don't need jobs like mine till a disaster happens? What about VA jobs?
PO2 Jared Lyon
Great point--we had not previously considered that, but would love to hear more about what you think can be done in those areas. Drop us a line on that.
It would be helpful to hear about the current initiatives of SVA and ways that veterans in local area chapters across the US can help our transitioning service members be successful in their first two semesters of college. Also, are there any issues regarding veteran education benefits that we need to be aware of and advocate about to push for change?
PO2 Jared Lyon
Staci - Great questions! Definitely sign up to our member network to receive updates on the latest initiatives. We've got #NatCon2018, the Chapter Leader Academy, and more coming soon. We're also pushing Congress to improve the GI Bill, to make a lifetime benefit and to cover those left behind. We'd love your support! Visit http://www.forevergibill.org to learn more.
http://studentveterans.us11.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=00012c707b4eea916ba13da83&id=47cc5800cc
http://studentveterans.us11.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=00012c707b4eea916ba13da83&id=47cc5800cc
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.
Background: The post-WWII GI Bill Act resulted in higher prices for education. This is akin to rental housing around military bases matching the BHA. There is an expectation by many that parents should cover their children's education expenses and that the government should cover the education costs for veterans.
PO2 Jared Lyon How would you encourage veterans and their family members to take responsibility for their education and training to launch them into follow-on careers?
Thanks for reminding me to ask a question COL Mikel J. Burroughs
FYI LTC Stephen C. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Capt Christopher Mueller Capt Seid Waddell CW5 (Join to see) SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SGT Robert George SP5 Robert Ruck SrA Christopher Wright SPC Margaret Higgins LTC Ivan Raiklin, Esq. LTC Stephen Conway CPT Gabe Snell PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
PO2 Jared Lyon How would you encourage veterans and their family members to take responsibility for their education and training to launch them into follow-on careers?
Thanks for reminding me to ask a question COL Mikel J. Burroughs
FYI LTC Stephen C. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Capt Christopher Mueller Capt Seid Waddell CW5 (Join to see) SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SGT Robert George SP5 Robert Ruck SrA Christopher Wright SPC Margaret Higgins LTC Ivan Raiklin, Esq. LTC Stephen Conway CPT Gabe Snell PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
PO2 Jared Lyon
Hey Stephen - Great question. The GI Bill is the most effective social mobility program in our nation's history and we love supporting the 1.1M student veterans using it today. We encourage anyone using the GI Bill to join SVA and take advantage of the peer-to-peer network and support we provide to, through, and beyond education. Check out http://www.studentveterans.org to learn more!
Student Veterans of America presents groundbreaking research about student veterans using the Post-9/11 GI Bill.Click here to learn more
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Student Veterans of America presents groundbreaking research about student veterans using the Post-9/11 GI Bill.Click here to learn more