UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The resources available for Penn State’s military veteran students will be highlighted during the next episode of WPSU Penn State’s “Higher Education in Focus: Serving Student Veterans.” The 30-minute show will air at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 21, on WPSU-TV and WPSU-FM.

Penn State students and United States armed forces veterans Andrew Huling (Air Force), Melissa Valdes (Navy) and Olivia Washington (Marine Corps) will join Penn State President Eric Barron for an in-depth discussion on the several resources available for Penn State’s veterans, as well as the unique challenges veterans and active-duty military students face on campus.

More than 4,500 students throughout the University’s Commonwealth Campus system and Penn State World Campus have direct military ties as either an active-duty service member, a reservist, veteran or military dependent. Penn State is recognized by many prominent organizations and publications, including U.S. News and World Report, as a military-friendly university.

The panel will discuss several assets at a veteran’s disposal, including the Office of Veterans Programs and student organizations such as the Penn State Veteran’s Organization, the Omega Delta Sigma veteran’s fraternity and the Service Women’s Advocacy Group. Huling, Valdes and Washington hold leadership positions for the respective student organizations.

Barron and his guests will also delve into some of the key challenges veterans face on college campuses, including the importance of a seamless transition from a military to college campus environment, ways to address feelings of isolation and the importance of connecting with other veterans and students, and a need for specialized counselors.   

Focusing on University-related topics, “Higher Education in Focus” airs each month during the academic year. For more information and to watch archived episodes, including last month’s episode on the athletics facilities master plan, visit wpsu.org/infocus.