Military Community
April 2017-Ashford University Newsletter
Military Development and Engagement
The Military Community Newsletter at Ashford University was created for you to learn about and share community events, resources, and key topics relevant to service members, veterans, and their families nationwide. Please contact Ashford's Military Development and Engagement Specialist if you have questions or additional resources you would like to share with your fellow military community.
IN THIS ISSUE
- April is Month of the Military Child
Homefront Girl Teddy Bear Collection
- Career Corner: How to Get the Most Out of Your Free 1-Year LinkedIn Premium Subscription
- Military Education Outreach Team and Events
The Air Force Childcare Program
- April 5th is Gold Star Wives Day
Student Veterans Organization Election: We Need Your Vote
Free Tutoring on Demand at Ashford
- Get Connected with Military CHAMPS
Nationwide Conference Calendar by Month: US Veterans Magazine
- Previous Editions
April is Month of the Military Child
Homefront Girl Teddy Bear Collection
Former military spouse, Gaby Juergens created her studio after living the life for over 20 years with the objective every designer starts with and that is creating something that connects the audience to the subject. The Homefront Collection by Homefront Girl® is resonating with those who share and love their hero every day in countless ways. Inspiring, empowering messages and designs that speak to the emotions of those serving and supporting their heroes.
For Gaby, it has also become a way of paying it forward to our wounded warriors and their families and our veterans. “A debt that can never truly be repaid for the sacrifices made, ”Juergens states. She adds one of her favorite quotes by Henry Drummond, “When you look back at your life, the moments that stand out, the moments when you have really lived are the moments when you have done something in the spirit of love.”
Facing her current battle of stage 3 breast cancer, Gaby is committed to beating it as well as being an advocate and support for her fellow warriors drafted into this unexpected battle. As she often says, "I'm no hero...but I lived a lifetime among them."
Career Corner
How to Get the Most Out of Your Free 1-Year LinkedIn Premium Subscription
Leverage the world's largest professional network, to enhance your brand, expand your network globally, and market your expertise.
As part of LinkedIn's commitment to support veterans with their career transition, they're providing enhanced access to connect you with available jobs across the globe. They're offering US service members and veterans a free one-year Job Seeker subscription (Premium Service Upgrade).
With this upgrade, you'll be able to access advanced job search tools, you're guaranteed to stand out from your competition, and you'll be able to contact hiring managers directly. If you are a US service member or veteran interested in this upgrade, please visit this link and complete the information on the form to redeem the offer: Link to Veteran Free Upgrade
In order to help you make the most of your premium subscription, please check out the three LinkedIn Learning courses below.
Military Education Outreach Team and Events
The Air Force Childcare Program
The Air Force Services Activity (AFSVA) child and youth programs are working hard to implement two new childcare programs designed specifically for bases that support the new remotely piloted aircraft enterprise. The programs are known as RPA Care and RPA 2 Care.
The care goes beyond the normal scope of options available at most installations. RPA Care gives families extended 24-hour care for their children while they are away performing their duties. RPA 2 Care provides a professional to look after children for a short time while the service member travels to medical, dental, or other mandatory appointments. For more information on Air Force child and youth programs, visit the AFSVA webpage.
April 5th is Gold Star Wives Day
Who is a Gold Star Family?
"...despite its widespread use, the term Gold Star family isn't universally understood. For one thing, it doesn't refer to a medal received by a soldier for valor -- such as a Bronze Star, Silver Star or Purple Heart. Instead, it concerns the status of the family members themselves.
The term traces its origins back to World War I. During that conflict, Americans would fly a flag bearing a blue star for every immediate family member serving in the armed forces. The star would be changed to gold if the family lost a loved one in the war.
The US Army officially calls the bereaved family members "gold star survivors."
"The Army recognizes that no one has given more for the nation than the families of the fallen," the Army's website says in its official description.
It is not known precisely how many Gold Star families there are, but over 6,000 US service members have died in the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan." Who are the Gold Star families?
Reference: Who are the Gold Star Families? (n.d.). Retrieved January 12, 2017, from http://www.cnn.com/2016/08/01/politics/ghazala-khizr-khan-gold-star-families/
We want to remember all the Gold Star Wives out there. We salute you and the ones you have lost. If you are looking for resources or want to get connected or give back in support of Gold Star Families please visit: Gold Star Family Resource Directory
Student Veterans Organization Election: Cast Your Vote
Get to know the current candidates before you vote!
A survey will be posted in the SVO LinkedIn group so you can cast your vote. Polls open on Monday, April 24 and close Friday April 28. Winners will be announced the first week in May.
Free Tutoring on Demand at Ashford
We are committed to your success and know how busy you are. When you want help, you want it now, free, and live. Tutoring On Demand is available to help you with writing and library work in every single course. In addition, we have course-specific tutoring available in many General Education courses. It is available 24/7 so it fits into your busy life.
Please take advantage of this free support. You are here to succeed, and these tools will help you to achieve success. Please contact your advisor for additional information.
Interested in learning more? Check out this video.
Get Connected with Military CHAMPS
Ashford understands the challenges of being a military affiliated student while pursuing higher education. We have developed a program dedicated to addressing those unique needs. It is our goal to pair up Military Mentees with Military Mentors so there is common ground and cultural understanding where the pair speaks the same language.
Deployments, frequent moves, and field exercises can all be distracting when you are attending classes. Connect with a Mentor who can help navigate those overwhelming waters, provide resources, tips, and personal experience to help you be as successful as possible while also building a relationship with another peer.
Top Reasons Mentees Join CHAMPS:
- To get to know another student on a personal level
- For support and guidance on managing time and other commitments
- For advice and encouragement as you begin your academic journey
- Tips to navigate Ashford Writing Center, Library and Student Portal.
* The newsletter may contain now or in the future links to other websites, such as links to military charities, discounts or offers, or other third parties that may provide services or products to you. These links and this information is being provided to you for your convenience and as a resource. We are not responsible for the privacy practices, the content of, or any other actions of such other websites or their owners or operators, information they may collect or information they may share. Further, the inclusion of an organization on this newsletter does not indicate an endorsement of such organization (or of any religious or political point of view promoted by such organization) by Ashford University or its affiliates.
Citations and URL Image Retrieval
Air Force Child Care Program Image. Retrieved from: https://www.flickr.com/photos/90892860@N06/9733649706/in/photolist-fQ8uWE-bBmoRr-zn7k9-bBmmXp-d6Nog5
LinkedIn Image. Retrieved from: https://www.flickr.com/photos/hansbrouwer/4929145358/in/photolist-8vzabN-aitUjh-dXDEwv-oC3Uv-vnuHKi-yQKKt-beKTxv-nPzLWU-jqeZqH-eUxXj3-
Gold Star Families Image. Retrieved From: https://www.flickr.com/photos/tinahesmansaey/2308577285/in/photolist-4w14AD-64CxZT-5RisCp-oiea7d-5ujJAM-5QMHRx-dfm5TB-
Calendar Image/ Retrieved from: https://www.flickr.com/photos/akashabrandt/8021243569/in/photolist-
Editor: Stephanie Kinman: Military Development and Engagement Specialist
Stephanie Kinman is a six year Navy Veteran. She spent two of those years attached to a Marine unit. Her personal and professional experience provides understanding to unique challenges military students face. She achieved her undergraduate degree in Psychology from University of Phoenix and her MSW with a focus on Military and Veteran Populations from University of Southern California.
Stephanie is dedicated to the military student population and brings her education, social work background and personal experience, both in the military and in the classroom, to provide resources, community events, and hot topic webinars to the military students at Ashford University.
She is the creator of the Ashford Military Community Newsletter, oversees the CHAMPS Peer Mentor Program for military affiliated students, and recently kicked off the Military Speaker Series as a means to elevate military cultural competency university wide.
Please connect with her if you are interested in being featured in the newsletter, making a contribution, or looking to mentor other military students.
Email: stephanie.kinman@ashford.edu
Website: http://www.ashford.edu/military/military_resources.htm
Location: 8620 Spectrum Center Blvd, San Diego, CA 92123, United States
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AshfordMilitary