Old Dominion’s Military Connection program supports students

Located in Norfolk, VA, Old Dominion University is situated within the greater metropolitan area known as Hampton Roads. This area is a well-known military hub for active duty and veteran service men and women and their families. So, it probably isn’t surprising to hear that 26% of all admitted students at Old Dominion have a military affiliation.

With such a high percentage of our student body affiliated with the United States Military, NIRSA members might be interested in learning more about how Old Dominion University is committed to helping guide and assist the academic experience of this part of our student body.

Through the university’s Military Connection Center, comprehensive support is provided for veterans including active duty service members, reservists, guardsmen and their families to succeed at ODU from admission through to graduation and, ultimately, on to productive careers. Old Dominion University’s Military Connection Center is committed to helping these students successfully navigate the transition to academic life.

Campus recreation is frequently noted as a good cross-campus collaborator, and the Recreation and Wellness department at ODU is no different. Realizing the value of supporting the university’s efforts, Recreation and Wellness recently developed a VA work-study allowance opportunity specifically for student veterans to get hands-on education and experience in the fitness and wellness field while meeting the needs of participants. Through the VA Work Study Program, these students were given a platform to apply their knowledge and skills to services for other military-affiliated members of the ODU Student Recreation Center.

Assistant Director of Fitness and Wellness Tamara Morgan manages the program and recalls how the idea for the program initiated: “It all started from helping a VA student with a request for a personal trainer; the cost of the service was a hurdle for the student.” She explains, “That is when the thought first surfaced—is this an area of need where our creativity and resources might be able to help?” That was the starting point; those initial questions and discussions led to further collaborations.

After a few months of collaborative discussions and planning, the purpose of the program was developed: to provide students affiliated with the US military services with the opportunity to participate in fitness and wellness programs—taught by instructors and trainers with similar backgrounds—at no cost. A significant part of the implementation included ODU Recreation and Wellness developing the instructors and trainers through the work study program.

Tamara says that “while the program is just gaining traction, it has proven beneficial for both the work study student as well as the participants.” Students who are part of the Military Connection work study program gain the practical experience and knowledge necessary to obtain a personal training/group exercise instructor certification. At the same time, students affiliated with the US Military Services have been afforded the opportunity to participate in fitness and wellness programs for free with instructors and trainers who share a background in the military.

Max Allee, a student trainer employed through the program, is grateful for the experience. “Educating clients of all military backgrounds on the skills and knowledge needed to foster and maintain a healthy lifestyle has been rewarding.” Max further acknowledges that while he is employed to provide services, personal growth is a shared benefit. “I continually see the growth and development of not only the clients, but also myself allowing me to better serve military affiliated students at ODU,” he explains.

Director of Recreation and Wellness Bridget Nemeth is proud of the collaborative initiative and the related outcomes. “We have hired into professional positions three VA Work Study Program students who have passed a nationally-accredited personal training certification and are active in providing services to participants. These kinds of success stories represent the level of inclusivity and outreach that exemplifies our department’s mission and core values,” Bridget says.

In addition to the VA Work Study Program, Recreation and Wellness has participated in other collaborative efforts supporting military-affiliated students and the veterans within the community. Recently, through a collaboration with the Student Veterans Association, a campus student organization, the department provided an opportunity for injured veterans to access and utilize the Student Recreation Center.

“With 23% of our program participants having a military affiliation, it is important,” underscores Bridget, “that we continue to discover opportunities to positively impact their ODU experience.” ODU Recreation and Wellness has committed to purposefully developing this part of their student population. The department knows recreation has something to offer everyone and can be a valuable tool in helping all kinds of students build meaningful lives both during their college careers and afterwards.

Photos courtesy of Old Dominion University