UW schools look at veterans issues

GREEN BAY - The numbers of veterans enrolling in UW System schools has tripled in recent years.

At a service Friday afternoon, UW-Green Bay students honored veterans. And a number of the veterans gathered here, can also be found in class.

"The transfer credits for your military experience, UWGB is one of the top schools. We give 14 credits right off the bat,” said Elaina Koltz, the UW-Green Bay veteran’s benefits liaison.

With that incentive and the Wisconsin G.I. Bill, enrollment of veterans is at 252 this fall.

It's expected to be at 400 for spring.

"It's an entirely different world than the military,” describes Jeremy Wildenberg.

Wildenberg is an Army veteran. He came back to school for a masters in education after a career in the service.

"You do face a lot of different challenges. You've got work, you've got school, you're trying to fit into a different community,” said Wildenberg.

Unlike their traditional classmates, most veterans who enter college are a little bit older. They have a unique set of life experiences they bring with them. But many here on campus say UW-Green Bay has done a great job at connecting them through student groups on campus.

"What I was pleasantly surprised about was there was a lot of us here, so I was able to make a lot of friends,” said Wildenberg.

“There's a great Vets 4 Vets group here,” said Koltz.

The UW Board of Regents met for a day-long session on Thursday. They discussed veteran's issues, but did not vote on any measures.

Kotlz handles veteran benefits at UW-Green Bay. She went to the UW Regents meeting in Madison Thursday, looking for ways to make veterans relations with the system even better.

“What we're looking to do is have a possible, like, separate section of an English class just for veterans or service members,” said Koltz.

"If the regents could find a way to incorporate us throughout the system and use us as role models, I think it would be a good way to leverage our experience,” said Wildenberg.

The veteran's benefit coordinator at UW-Green Bay says veterans looking to go back to school on any campus should check with the admissions office for help applying for loans and veteran’s benefits.