Serving Those Who Served
They served their country. Now Cleveland State University is serving veterans by helping them transition from the military to civilian life and college student.
In January, CSU’s nationally acclaimed Veteran Student Success Program (VSSP) moved from cramped quarters in Rhodes Tower West to a highly visible and accessible location on Euclid Avenue. The new CSU Veteran and Military Resource Center enables VSSP to better provide, and expand, a range of support services for Viking Vets and their families.
The new, 4,400-square-foot resource center includes a computer-equipped academic area, quiet study areas, meeting rooms, offices, an activity room, a kitchen and a day room/lounge. The space has been dubbed LZ53 – LZ for landing zone and 53 in honor of the 53rd College Training Detachment at CSU’s predecessor, Fenn College, where hundreds of U.S. Army Air Force cadets went through intensive preparations during World War II.
“LZ53 is more than just space, it’s an opportunity to do more for our vets,” says Robert Shields, VSSP coordinator.
Some 600 veterans currently attend CSU. They are active and reserve members of all five branches of the U.S. Armed Forces — Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy, as well as the National Guard.
They are a diverse group of undergraduates, graduate students and law students; more than 30 percent are women. Since the start of VSSP in 2007, more than 870 Viking Vets have graduated.
VSSP is designed to help veterans through their critical first year of college. Shields and all student employees are veterans themselves.
Services include: admissions assistance and counseling; academic advising, including declaring a major; one-on-one academic tutoring from other veterans; mentoring; and counseling for PTSD, stress, anxiety, anger and other issues through CSU resources or referrals to the Veterans Administration. In addition, a VA VetSuccess Counselor is assigned to VSSP to provide immediate assistance on benefits questions and issues.
Shields hopes to begin a formal orientation to help veterans acclimate
to CSU.
“A mandatory orientation program, conducted by fellow vets, will help them on their new mission – achieving their goal of graduating and moving on to successful careers and lives,” he says.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS...
“After my bachelor’s degree, I hope to teach at a local high school while attending CSU for my master’s degree. Through VSSP, I tutor other vets in writing, which helps prepare me for my future career.”
Christopher Loman, Army Sergeant
“Without VSSP, I would not have been able to successfully complete two bachelor’s degrees in the 36 months allotted to use GI Bill benefits. Having a space that allows us to have a little bit of the culture we are used to as former/current military members is key in the transitioning process to civilian life.”
Julie Zaebst, Army Medic
“There are not many institutions like CSU with a military veteran organization like VSSP.”
Kevan Joseph Hughes, Navy Yeoman
Also in This Issue...
The Dollars (and Sense) of Higher Education
CSU tackles rising costs and low degree rates by speeding time to graduation, expanding financial aid, and reducing student debt.
Cleveland-Marshall College of Law Learning Commons Promotes Collaboration
Peek into the new Judy and Robert H. Rawson, Jr. Learning Commons in the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and you might marvel at what you see.
Fostering Hope and Student Success
Without family, emotional and financial support, and skills to make it on their own, the prospects for success are indeed grim for emancipated foster youth. That’s where CSU and insightful donors are making a world of difference.
A Message from the President
President Berkman applauds CSU’s resilience amid challenges, empowering "Engaged Learning" across campus — from hybrid classes and Zoom to labs and dorms — united in community strength.
AHA! CSU Hosts Arts and Humanities Festival
Immerse yourself in books, theater, music, art, dance and ideas at CSU’s inaugural Arts and Humanities Alive! (AHA!) Festival, taking place Wednesday through Friday, June 7-9.
Kudos to Cleveland State
Campus International School, the innovative partnership between CSU and the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, continues to earn national notice, receiving the Shirley S. Schwartz Urban Impact Award from the Council of Great City Schools.
New on Campus
CSU has unveiled new facilities and resources: upgraded labs, smart classrooms, improved residence halls, and renovated student spaces — all enhancing learning, research, and campus life.
Nursing Collaborations Enhance Health Care
CSU and St. Vincent Charity Medical Center are expanding their collaborations to bolster the academic and medical hub in the Campus District.
Students Engage Alumni to Support CSU
The next time your phone rings, it might be Cleveland State calling. The University strives to keep in contact with alumni through social media, email and yes, even mail and telephone.
Lift Up Vikes! Lifts Spirits and Lives
Cleveland State University is committed to student success. But what if students who are hungry to learn are also just plain hungry?
Undergrads Hone Research Skills
It’s almost summer and most CSU students will be taking a break from classes and studying. But not 59 students who were selected for participation in the 2017 Undergraduate Summer Research Award Program, funded by the CSU Office of Research.
Campaign is Over-the-Top Success
Publicly launched two years ago, ENGAGE: The Campaign for Cleveland State University, was the first-ever fundraising effort of its kind for the University.
Alumni Recognition Awards
The Fenn Tower ballroom was sizzling – and not because it was 60-plus degrees on a mid-January evening. It was sizzling with excitement, cheers and applause as the audience saluted the first recipients of CSU’s Alumni Recognition Awards.
Leadership and Empowerment in the Spotlight at Women’s Symposium
Enlightened, entertained, informed, inspired and empowered. That’s how 500-plus participants felt following CSU’s third annual Women’s Leadership Symposium, “Be Amazing.”
On the Road with CSUAA
It was fun in the sun – five times over – when the Alumni Association traveled to Texas, Florida and Arizona to engage with graduates at special events.
Vowed Vikings Share Love Stories
Love was in the air…and the Alumni Association celebrated by asking Vikings to share their love stories.
Class Notes – Summer 2017
The Dollars (and Sense) of Higher Education
CSU tackles rising costs and low degree rates by speeding time to graduation, expanding financial aid, and reducing student debt.
Fostering Hope and Student Success
Without family, emotional and financial support, and skills to make it on their own, the prospects for success are indeed grim for emancipated foster youth. That’s where CSU and insightful donors are making a world of difference.
AHA! CSU Hosts Arts and Humanities Festival
Immerse yourself in books, theater, music, art, dance and ideas at CSU’s inaugural Arts and Humanities Alive! (AHA!) Festival, taking place Wednesday through Friday, June 7-9.
New on Campus
CSU has unveiled new facilities and resources: upgraded labs, smart classrooms, improved residence halls, and renovated student spaces — all enhancing learning, research, and campus life.
Students Engage Alumni to Support CSU
The next time your phone rings, it might be Cleveland State calling. The University strives to keep in contact with alumni through social media, email and yes, even mail and telephone.
Undergrads Hone Research Skills
It’s almost summer and most CSU students will be taking a break from classes and studying. But not 59 students who were selected for participation in the 2017 Undergraduate Summer Research Award Program, funded by the CSU Office of Research.
Alumni Recognition Awards
The Fenn Tower ballroom was sizzling – and not because it was 60-plus degrees on a mid-January evening. It was sizzling with excitement, cheers and applause as the audience saluted the first recipients of CSU’s Alumni Recognition Awards.
On the Road with CSUAA
It was fun in the sun – five times over – when the Alumni Association traveled to Texas, Florida and Arizona to engage with graduates at special events.
Class Notes – Summer 2017
Cleveland-Marshall College of Law Learning Commons Promotes Collaboration
Peek into the new Judy and Robert H. Rawson, Jr. Learning Commons in the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and you might marvel at what you see.
A Message from the President
President Berkman applauds CSU’s resilience amid challenges, empowering "Engaged Learning" across campus — from hybrid classes and Zoom to labs and dorms — united in community strength.
Kudos to Cleveland State
Campus International School, the innovative partnership between CSU and the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, continues to earn national notice, receiving the Shirley S. Schwartz Urban Impact Award from the Council of Great City Schools.
Nursing Collaborations Enhance Health Care
CSU and St. Vincent Charity Medical Center are expanding their collaborations to bolster the academic and medical hub in the Campus District.
Lift Up Vikes! Lifts Spirits and Lives
Cleveland State University is committed to student success. But what if students who are hungry to learn are also just plain hungry?
Campaign is Over-the-Top Success
Publicly launched two years ago, ENGAGE: The Campaign for Cleveland State University, was the first-ever fundraising effort of its kind for the University.
Leadership and Empowerment in the Spotlight at Women’s Symposium
Enlightened, entertained, informed, inspired and empowered. That’s how 500-plus participants felt following CSU’s third annual Women’s Leadership Symposium, “Be Amazing.”
Vowed Vikings Share Love Stories
Love was in the air…and the Alumni Association celebrated by asking Vikings to share their love stories.
The Dollars (and Sense) of Higher Education
CSU tackles rising costs and low degree rates by speeding time to graduation, expanding financial aid, and reducing student debt.
A Message from the President
President Berkman applauds CSU’s resilience amid challenges, empowering "Engaged Learning" across campus — from hybrid classes and Zoom to labs and dorms — united in community strength.
New on Campus
CSU has unveiled new facilities and resources: upgraded labs, smart classrooms, improved residence halls, and renovated student spaces — all enhancing learning, research, and campus life.
Lift Up Vikes! Lifts Spirits and Lives
Cleveland State University is committed to student success. But what if students who are hungry to learn are also just plain hungry?
Alumni Recognition Awards
The Fenn Tower ballroom was sizzling – and not because it was 60-plus degrees on a mid-January evening. It was sizzling with excitement, cheers and applause as the audience saluted the first recipients of CSU’s Alumni Recognition Awards.
Vowed Vikings Share Love Stories
Love was in the air…and the Alumni Association celebrated by asking Vikings to share their love stories.
Cleveland-Marshall College of Law Learning Commons Promotes Collaboration
Peek into the new Judy and Robert H. Rawson, Jr. Learning Commons in the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and you might marvel at what you see.
AHA! CSU Hosts Arts and Humanities Festival
Immerse yourself in books, theater, music, art, dance and ideas at CSU’s inaugural Arts and Humanities Alive! (AHA!) Festival, taking place Wednesday through Friday, June 7-9.
Nursing Collaborations Enhance Health Care
CSU and St. Vincent Charity Medical Center are expanding their collaborations to bolster the academic and medical hub in the Campus District.
Undergrads Hone Research Skills
It’s almost summer and most CSU students will be taking a break from classes and studying. But not 59 students who were selected for participation in the 2017 Undergraduate Summer Research Award Program, funded by the CSU Office of Research.
Leadership and Empowerment in the Spotlight at Women’s Symposium
Enlightened, entertained, informed, inspired and empowered. That’s how 500-plus participants felt following CSU’s third annual Women’s Leadership Symposium, “Be Amazing.”
Class Notes – Summer 2017
Fostering Hope and Student Success
Without family, emotional and financial support, and skills to make it on their own, the prospects for success are indeed grim for emancipated foster youth. That’s where CSU and insightful donors are making a world of difference.
Kudos to Cleveland State
Campus International School, the innovative partnership between CSU and the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, continues to earn national notice, receiving the Shirley S. Schwartz Urban Impact Award from the Council of Great City Schools.
Students Engage Alumni to Support CSU
The next time your phone rings, it might be Cleveland State calling. The University strives to keep in contact with alumni through social media, email and yes, even mail and telephone.
Campaign is Over-the-Top Success
Publicly launched two years ago, ENGAGE: The Campaign for Cleveland State University, was the first-ever fundraising effort of its kind for the University.
On the Road with CSUAA
It was fun in the sun – five times over – when the Alumni Association traveled to Texas, Florida and Arizona to engage with graduates at special events.