College engagement programs, events, and resources geared toward women veterans are making a positive impact. Women veterans make up approximately 11 percent of the veteran population and are projected to increase to 18 percent by the 2040’s according to the Women Veterans Alliance. As more women transition from service to higher education, dedicated networks and campus-based communities will continue to rise, creating opportunities to bridge resources, share best practices, and reflect on women veterans’ experiences in academic and professional settings.
Higher education institutions that invest in providing extra engagement opportunities help close the gap for many veteran women who seek to thrive and transition successfully.
It creates a space between national and general veteran campus networks that link women veterans together. Organizations like the Women Veteran Network, Women Veterans Alliance, and Women Veterans ROCK extend beyond higher education settings, offering a wide array of support, resources, and connections. Groups such as Student Veterans of America or VetSuccess serve as connectors to the military-affiliated community on-site at colleges and universities. While both are extremely beneficial, women veterans may additionally see more holistic and tailored support through direct engagement at their schools in programs built for them.
Why Does this Matter?
Military service members are bonded through shared commitment, loyalty, and purpose, and when they transition to civilian life, they are better supported in environments that empower them with reconnection, purpose, and networking to build a sense of community. These opportunities create preventative measures for members experiencing isolation or other concerns. This rings true for women veterans, especially who often face higher rates of under/unemployment, childcare responsibilities, PTSD, and military sexual trauma (MST). According to Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families research, women veterans reported transition challenges 15 percent higher than men, which included the following:
- 54% of female veteran respondents did not feel prepared to navigate resources in their local community, compared with 35% of male veteran respondents.
- Loss of connection with military community (59%)
- Loss of sense of purpose/camaraderie (56%)
- 45% of female veterans did not know of community resources to use during hard financial times compared with 37% of male veterans.
Increased engagement opportunities in local college and university settings contribute to a viable solution as these environments tend to be social safety nets for those needing access to outreach services, non-academic assistance (e.g., food pantries, clothing assistance, etc.), professional development, and more. For women, it allows for more targeted intervention.
The numbers speak for themselves. The VA Women Veterans Health Care Facts and Statistics reported that less than half of the women veteran population enrolled in healthcare in 2023, with even fewer using their benefits. With the current women veteran population over 2 million strong, the National Center for PTSD noted that PTSD was more prevalent among women veterans at 13 percent compared to men at 6 percent. According to the Cohen Veterans Network article on military women, suicide risks are high with it being the second leading cause of death in active-duty military women and a 92 percent higher rate for veteran women than non-veteran women. Even more, approximately 1 in 3 military women reported military sexual trauma compared to 1 in 50 men.
Model Cases of Colleges/Universities Supporting Veteran Women
Universities and colleges are developing more dedicated campus engagement programs or holistic support for women student veterans, whose population will continue to grow. The following higher education institutions are a few examples showing models of success by building stronger connections within their campuses, which enable expanded services and care.
- University of South Florida (USF)’s Office of Veteran Success established its Her Valor program in 2003, which focuses on empowerment, peer connection, and professional growth.
- Syracuse University’s D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families, founded in 2011, offers research, networking opportunities, and programs such as their Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE) program.
- Virginia Tech’s partnered with the Beneath the Service organization to provide the Women Veterans Leadership program since 2020, which includes peer relationship-building, coaching, and leadership development.
If more colleges and universities adopt similar programs and initiatives, they could make a marked difference for veteran women transitioning to civilian life, in addition to military-connected women in general. In fact, more engagement opportunities are resulting in improved outcomes related to social integration, upward academic and career mobility, and access to mental or physical care.
Continue to Build the Momentum
Dedicated campus engagement programs and resources tailored to women veterans are increasingly contributing to a post-service environment where their unique needs are met and experiences shared.
Women veterans make up an increasing share of the veteran population and face unique challenges when transitioning to civilian and academic life, including higher rates of unemployment, PTSD and MST mental health crises, and loss of peer community connection. Colleges and universities that provide dedicated engagement programs and initiatives specific to women veterans play an important role in addressing these needs. They have been shown to produce networking and community support, professional development, and overall academic achievement. These programs help bridge resource gaps, reduce isolation, and promote successful academic, professional, and personal transitions. As the women veteran population increases, expanding these engagement opportunities across higher education can improve outcomes in health, education, and community integration.
For women veterans needing a place to start, please note that the VA’s Women Veterans Health Care site provides a trained female representative contact center, information, and resources.
