Annual Student Survey Outcomes

Each year, the Department of Veteran & Military Services conducts a survey of our military connected students. This survey is a vital component of our program design, and the feedback we receive from our students has a direct impact on the services and support we provide. Additionally, these surveys are a requirement for our Veteran Supportive Campus designation from the Arizona Dept. of Veteran Services.

In the interest of transparency, and as a means of encouraging participation in our surveys, we have provided here some highlights from our past surveys and how your feedback has impacted our programs.

• VMS Chat Sessions: In our Spring 2020 survey to military dependents, many reported experiencing confusion and inconsistency of communication regarding their VA benefits. In response to this concern, we implemented a virtual orientation session for incoming military dependents and their families called “VMS Chat Sessions”. These VMS Chat Sessions are hosted more than one month prior to the start of each Fall & Spring term, and it provides us with the opportunity to review the VA Benefit Process with our military-connected family members. We have since expanded this program to include VMS Chat Sessions for all military connected students.
• Connecting Online & Statewide Students: Military Connected Students from our online & statewide campuses frequently reported that they feel disconnected & isolated from the university. In response, Veteran & Military Services implemented the following programs:
  • We have established full-time staff positions located in both Yuma and Tucson. These team-members focus on outreach to new & incoming students, as well as programs for online & community campus students.
  • In 2020 we established a Virtual Veteran Success Center through Zoom. You can reach us Monday-Friday from 9am-4pm AZ time, via the link on our website . The screensharing feature in Zoom makes it much easier to identify and resolve issues with your benefits, your student account, or your enrollment. We also have an academic advisor who hosts office-hours in the Zoom room each week.
  • The Phoenix Rising Soccer Team hosted a Military Night during a match over the July 4th holiday last year. This event was free to military veteran NAU students.

For more information, contact the Veteran Success Center at vets@nau.edu or (928) 523-VETS.