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This data report contains comprehensive findings from our Phase Two study in 2021 of current and former student service members and veterans from across five Wisconsin campuses. Findings are centered on participant demographics; pathways since spring 2020; deployments/activations; COVID-19 impacts; work volition; SSM/V cultural assets; social support networks; and relationships between these factors across time. 

This institution-specific data report contains findings from our Phase Two study in 2021 of current and former student service members and veterans at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Findings are centered on participant demographics; pathways since spring 2020; deployments/activations; COVID-19 impacts; work volition; SSM/V cultural assets; social support networks; and relationships between these factors across time. 

This institution-specific data report contains findings from our Phase Two study in 2021 of current and former student service members and veterans at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Findings are centered on participant demographics; pathways since spring 2020; deployments/activations; COVID-19 impacts; work volition; SSM/V cultural assets; social support networks; and relationships between these factors across time. 

This institution-specific data report contains findings from our Phase Two study in 2021 of current and former student service members and veterans at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Findings are centered on participant demographics; pathways since spring 2020; deployments/activations; COVID-19 impacts; work volition; SSM/V cultural assets; social support networks; and relationships between these factors across time. 

This institution-specific data report contains findings from our Phase Two study in 2021 of current and former student service members and veterans at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Findings are centered on participant demographics; pathways since spring 2020; deployments/activations; COVID-19 impacts; work volition; SSM/V cultural assets; social support networks; and relationships between these factors across time. 

This institution-specific data report contains findings from our Phase Two study in 2021 of current and former student service members and veterans at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Findings are centered on participant demographics; pathways since spring 2020; deployments/activations; COVID-19 impacts; work volition; SSM/V cultural assets; social support networks; and relationships between these factors across time. 

Given the importance of social support networks to SSM/Vs as well as the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, this research brief uses data from two surveys of a panel of SSM/Vs (n=375) to explore correlations between pre-pandemic social support networks and negative academic or career impacts of the pandemic. It also studies how social support network change through the pandemic—including the addition, loss, and/or replacement of social ties between the spring of 2020 (Time 1) and the late fall of 2021 (Time 2)—might be associated with negative impacts. Findings indicate that SSM/Vs with more campus social ties felt the sting of campus closures more than SSM/Vs without such ties. Results also suggest that SSM/Vs with higher network turnover through the pandemic—including the addition, loss, and/or replacement of core network ties—had more negative pandemic-related academic and career impacts. 

Supported by considerable public investment through post-9/11 higher education benefits, student military service members/veterans (SSM/Vs) have been one of the fastest-growing groups of nontraditional students in American universities in recent years. Despite their increased numbers and potential to diversify science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medical (STEMM) fields, little research has explored SSM/V academic development and success across university STEMM contexts. This mixed methods study used social capital theory to explore links between STEMM SSM/V social support and a sense of campus belonging—shown to be important to achievement among traditionally marginalized college students—within 4-year campus communities. Social network analyses of surveys indicated that larger SSM/V support networks, including on and off-campus social ties as well as student and university educator ties, positively correlated with campus belonging. Social support networks with military ties, traditionally seen to benefit SSM/V college integration, did not correlate. Interview responses suggested that while belonging can be discouraged among SSM/Vs by military-associated STEMM imposter feelings, it is fostered through student friendship, faculty care, and veteran- focused campus support. Results underscored the importance of authentic interaction as well as purposeful efforts to bring SSM/Vs together with fellow students, educators, and staff. 

Workforce development in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields is increasingly important to national economic prosperity, health, and security. In recent years, student military service members and veterans (SSM/Vs)—a talented undergraduate population with the technical training and capability to excel in STEM fields—have been one of the fastest-growing groups of nontraditional students in American higher education. Considering the importance of social support networks for STEM majors and SSM/Vs, as demonstrated in past studies, as well as the lack of fundamental research focused on SSM/Vs in STEM, this mixed-method study explores the characteristics and value of social support networks among SSM/Vs in university STEM majors using survey (n=257) and interview (n=44) data. Results show strong SSM/V ties to family and friends, military-affiliated contacts, and significant others, as well as homogenous networks. SSM/Vs also describe the importance of bridging perspectives and role-based support that helps them access informational, task-oriented, and affective resources. 

This report contains comprehensive findings from Phase One of our Wisconsin research study focused on undergraduate student military service members and veterans (SSM/Vs) at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay (UW–Green Bay), UW-Madison, UW-Milwaukee, UW-Oshkosh, and UW-Stout. During Phase One of this study, reported here, SSM/V online surveys (n=623) and interviews (n=54) were administered in the spring of 2020. Findings in the report are centered on SSM/V demographics; high school, military, and university experiences among current STEM and non-STEM majors; career plans; life during COVID-19; and social support networks.