New UHCL VSO director aims to start culture shift, increase understanding for military-affiliated student needs

The University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL) announced the arrival of new Captain Wendell M. Wilson Office of Veteran Services (VSO) Director Phil Gore. Gore officially started as the VSO director June 3, filling a position that has been vacant since October 19, 2018. 

An Army veteran, Gore recently served as the director of Military and Veteran Affairs at Georgia Southern University, where the office “earned more than 30 national awards for being one of the best institutions of higher learning for service members, veterans and their families,” as announced in an April 19, 2019 UHCL press release.

Gore believes he can bring positive change to the UHCL VSO.

“I’m excited about what we’re going to do,” Gore said. “[The new Vice President of Student Affairs,] Dr. Hart is here, now, and President Blake’s strategic vision includes providing a military and veteran-friendly environment. At the end of the day, that’s what I want to do here. I want to make UHCL a center of excellence for military student success. That’s it. That’s what I want to do.” 

Natasia Pilling, VSO interim coordinator, says she is ready for the new direction Gore plans to lead the VSO.

“I’m excited for anything that will enrich the experience of veterans on campus,” Pilling said. “We’re going to be focusing on supporting programming and student involvement more than we had done in the past.”

One of the VSO’s main goals is a change in culture, Pilling explained.

“We anticipate a shift for this office from focusing mainly on veterans, to an expanded effort to integrate the entire ‘military-affiliated’ community,” Pilling said. “This effort will involve all students, staff, faculty and alumni.”

Gore agreed with Pilling and said the VSO plans to lead a culture shift on campus, not just with regard to the integration of various campus communities, but also with what the students and campus view as the purpose of the VSO.

“This office will be the central point-of-contact, period, for all things military-related,” Gore said. “It doesn’t matter who you talk to on this campus, who you pass in the hall, or what phone number you call — if it has something to do with the military, it will filter through here, so we can make sure we get the right information to the right people.”

Gore said any change in the program needs to address the full spectrum of needs for veterans and their families.

“I’m big on using the term ‘military-affiliated,’” Gore said. “We have veterans, National Guard, reservists, military spouses, dependents — they all served in some capacity.”

Gore said addressing the needs of that full military-affiliated population is the key to success for all involved.

“When we talk about military-affiliated students, it has to be that whole thing, it has to be academic, career and life goals,” Gore said. “If we don’t address all three of those at the same time, one of them is going to fall off.”

Military-affiliated students face many obstacles, whether they are transitioning from active duty to civilian life, or coming back to school for an advanced degree, Gore said. These obstacles are further complicated by complex and time-consuming processes to access federal and state benefits.

“If we’re not taking into account all three facets of the actual student, spouse, or veteran, then we’re doing them a disservice,” Gore said. “We’re not going to be able to advocate for them on campus the way that we need to, and we’re not going to be in a position where we can help them to accomplish those goals.”

Paul Dewint, criminology major and Army veteran, would like to see more full-spectrum programming offered at the VSO.

“I would like to see something for the older vets, like myself,” Dewint said. “Something to set them back on track.”

Dewint explains his transition from Soldier to civilian had not been easy, and he hopes the VSO could create programming that would help bridge the gap and steer veterans towards the most beneficial option for them — even if that isn’t college.

“I would like to see more veteran advising programs,” Dewint said. “Something to help vets see if school is really the best option for them, or if maybe they have better options.”

Gore has four major programs he aims to fully integrate into the VSO’s operations before the fall semester, which he feels will address this need for full-spectrum support of military-affiliated students.

These programs include: a military peer-to-peer tutoring program aimed at easing veterans’ transition into university life; integration of community veteran service partners, such as the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, into campus programs; workshops and seminars aimed at providing a greater understanding of unique military-affiliated needs to faculty and staff; and a multi-faceted military mentorship program which would connect veteran students with their peers as well as veteran alumni.

Gore said that this will be a lot of work and will depend on collaboration from all offices and departments across campus. He is hopeful that the task can be accomplished.

“There’s a level of excitement in the air, with all the new people that are coming in [the Division of Student Affairs,]” Gore said. “Things are going to come along, and I think you’re going to see everything as a whole grow, across the entire university.”

Gore said he is excited to enhance the university presence in the community.

“Everyone that comes here knows we’re doing great and wonderful things,” Gore said. “But, we want everyone else to know, too. We do that by providing programs and services and advocacy for students so that they can be successful.”

For more information regarding the VSO and other military-affiliated campus programs, contact The Captain Wendell M. Wilson Office of Veteran Services at (281) 283-3071, Monday through Friday, 8 A.M. to 5 P.M, or by email at vso@uhcl.edu.