Military learners gain experience at Student Veterans of America conference

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Dane Sorensen never thought he would have been able to talk to a secretary of veterans affairs about a proposal he wrote in his first English course at Penn State on improving mental health resources for the military.

Sorensen, an Army veteran and Penn State World Campus student, had that opportunity while attending the Student Veterans of America national conference in Colorado Springs, Colorado, from Jan. 2-4.

He and another student, Luis Castillo, represented Penn State World Campus for its first delegation at the conference. The event brings together student veterans from across the country each year to share ideas, learn, network and meet with representatives from government agencies, the private sector and nonprofits.

Sorensen and Castillo are officers in the Penn State World Campus chapter of the Student Veterans of America and said the experience far exceeded their expectations.

Sorensen spoke with Denis Richard McDonough, who was the secretary at the time, and congressional staffers about his proposal that calls for increasing the number of mental health professionals who are certified in two therapies to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He is hopeful he was able to plant the seed for something that could help veterans.

“This was one of the best things I’ve done for myself academically and professionally,” Sorensen said. “I got to bring something from Penn State, and I might be able to use it for change.”

World Campus’s first delegation at Student Veterans of America

Sorensen and Castillo had different goals for attending the conference because of how far they are in their academic journeys.

Sorensen will graduate in May with a bachelor of arts in labor and human resources, and his primary interest was in career resources and networking.

Castillo, on the other hand, is an active-duty sailor in the Navy and was interested in getting accustomed to this kind of experience.

“This is my first time really being a part of the professional world,” said Castillo, who is pursuing a bachelor of science in finance. “I’m a first-generation college student, and I immigrated here when I was younger, so I have no experience with any of this. My objective going to the conference was to observe, learn and network a little bit. I definitely took away a lot.”

Castillo said he was inspired by a session on fundraising that gave him ideas for developing new strategies to engage with other groups. He hopes he can raise funding to allow more students to attend the conference in 2026.

“If we can send more people, it will help veterans feel more connected to others and Penn State,” Castillo said.

Sorensen focused some of his time on sessions about veteran labor issues and hiring practices. He attended others on writing resumes and cover letters for civilian jobs, building a LinkedIn profile and networking.

The students’ participation was funded through the Penn State World Campus Military Education Benefits Office.

An English assignment becomes a real-world possibility

The highlight for Sorensen was speaking about his mental health proposal assignment with people who have the influence to make change.

Sorensen is open about his mental health struggles -- he said he survived a suicide attempt while on active duty and has dealt with depression, anxiety and PTSD. He is also familiar with the mental health services that are available through U.S. Veterans Affairs clinics.

Sorensen reflected on his experience for the proposal, which would call for increasing the number of staff at VA clinics who are certified in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and cognitive processing therapy (CPT). He said veterans with PTSD could receive better treatment with those therapies.

Sorensen approached the VA secretary for a photo and mentioned the proposal. The two spoke for almost 10 minutes. Sorensen gained confidence to continue having other conversations about it, and he ended up talking with congressional staffers.

“I brought my academic work to the conference, and I got to meet people in person who can help implement that change,” Sorensen said. “I’m looking forward to the opportunities to make that impact, and if I can make one veteran’s life better, then it’s all worth it.”

Having a full Penn State experience

Castillo joined the Navy in 2021 and enrolled in Penn State online through World Campus in 2023. He also received the Alexander P. Fletcher Navy Student Scholarship, which is one of the scholarships available for military learners at Penn State World Campus.

Castillo is married with a child and is stationed at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego, California.

Castillo said his experience in the Student Veterans of America chapter has encouraged him to find other ways to contribute his energy and enthusiasm, such as setting up a specialized conference just for veterans who are online learners.

“I’m going to do things for Penn State as well as this club to help veterans,” he said. “I feel like I’m part of a community now, and it’s been great. I love it.”

Sorensen is a police officer in Pennsylvania, a full-time student, a husband and father of two. A veteran of 14 years of active duty in the Army and Pennsylvania National Guard, he left military service in 2023.

As a student, he is actively involved in the World Campus Student Government Association. He is particularly interested in veterans labor issues and is considering applying to graduate school through Penn State to further study HR so he can work in labor relations for an organization such as the American Legion or Veterans of Foreign Wars.

“Penn State’s really become my home and my community,” Sorensen said.

A Penn State education online

Penn State World Campus has been offering Penn State degrees online for more than 25 years. It boasts a comprehensive selection of more than 200 Penn State-quality degree and certificate programs that have been developed with the academic colleges and campuses.

The bachelor’s degree in labor and human resources is offered online through the School of Labor and Employment Relations in the Penn State College of the Liberal Arts.

The bachelor’s degree in finance is offered online through the Black School of Business at Penn State Behrend.

Penn State World Campus students can get involved through clubs and organizations like the Student Veterans of America chapter and meet fellow online learners.

Visit the Penn State World Campus website for more information about what to expect as a military learner.