Master Gunnery Sgt. Mike Slaughter came to DePaul after retiring from the Marines to pursue a degree in human resources. While at DePaul, he took up painting about his military experience and perspective, and he helped connect the university to the VA's Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership program.
Read more about his story in Newsline. (DePaul University/Jeff Carrion)
America honors the volunteers who served the United States by enlisting in the armed forces with several educational benefits and specialized services. DePaul University, too, recognizes the sacrifice of veterans by providing a wide range of additional assistance.
DePaul has more than 500 students who previously served in the military, the largest contingent in Chicago and one of the largest in the state. The
Office of Academic Continuity and Engagement helps support these veterans — who may be older and possess different life experience than their classmates — in their education, with both community-building and supportive services.
For example, four
veteran liaisons — currently three Marines and one Army veteran — help newcomers to the university transition into academic life and access resources and benefits. The university also staffs Veteran Student Services offices
on the Loop and Lincoln Park campuses as a place to get answers to questions.
A quarterly event gathers student veterans for camaraderie, food and connection, and several offices, including the Career Center and Student Legal Services, provide
specialized information for veterans.
Veterans in need of particular health services can work with the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center through a national VA initiative known as
Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership. DePaul's
MySSP Student Support Program and
DePaul University Counseling Services also connect students with needed support.
DePaul is grateful for the valuable contribution that student veterans make to university life, both in the classroom and in community conversations. If the Office of Academic Continuity and Engagement would be helpful in your academic journey,
please reach out by email.