Getting to know veteran students of UHCL

By Mirian Umaña Last updated Nov 14, 2019 241 0

Adjusting to a new environment brings a host of new challenges and opportunities. For some, change can be a very exciting time, and for others it can be filled with the fear of the unknown. The start of college means a different dynamic for students who are continuing their studies at a different level while for some, who are coming from a different environment, this kind of transition can be a bit challenging. The University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL) is filled with students from many walks of life. One group of students, in particular, being veteran students.

Phillip Roenspie, veteran student and communication major, explains that by the time he became a student at UHCL his transition from military to civilian had taken place. Roenspie served in the U.S. Army as a 14H (Early Warning Systems Operator) from April 2010 to September 2016.

Prior to enrolling at UHCL, Roenspie had been out of the military for two years and had already attended a junior college. Roenspie states that with UHCL being a larger campus he was faced with the issue of handling larger crowds of people. Large crowds are still an issue for Roenspie, but he said his time at UHCL is helping.

“The hardest part of my transition was entering a world where I knew I was different from everyone else,” Roenspie said.

Roenspie encourages veterans who are transitioning from the military to becoming a civilian students to reach out to the Office of Veteran Services for any questions or help they may need to ease their transition.

“One of the greatest assets UHCL has to offer is the varying amount of perspectives that walk this campus,” Roenspie said. “This is an invaluable resource, which I used to create dialogue and understanding between myself and the students I interacted with. That is how I have overcome my hiccups with transitioning into civilian life.”

PHOTO: Photograph of veteran student Jennifer Cloud in uniform on a navy vessel while overseas. In the background, the ocean can be seen as well as mountains and a shoreline in the distance. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Cloud. — Jennifer Cloud during her time deployed overseas. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Cloud, health promotion major.

Jennifer Cloud, a veteran student health promotion major, explains that after being in the military she was used to structure and preparation before a mission. Cloud served in the Navy as an operation specialist third class (SW) from 2011 to 2014 and was discharged early because of a leg condition.

“However, as a student, you’re not always told how hard tests may be, or given a review,” Cloud said. “It’s your duty as a student to find what study methods work for you.”

Growing up as a foster child, Cloud states that her transition was not too difficult as she was used to sudden changes.

Being away from school and not being a student was something that Cloud missed while in the military. Cloud states that learning is the best part of her transition. She has taken advantage of the Office of Veteran Services as a quiet place for homework and as a hideout from UHCL’s busy campus.

Cloud advises veteran students to ask questions, to breath and to not give up.

“In the beginning, you’ll feel like a ton of information is being thrown at you, but after two semesters it’ll all become routine,” Cloud said.

PHOTO: Photograph of veteran student Arturo Guerra in uniform while overseas. In the background of the picture you can see the American flag as well as Arturo Guerra leaning on a podium that reads USS COWPENS [CG-63]. Photo courtesy of Arturo Guerra. — Arturo Guerra during his time deployed overseas. Photo courtesy of Arturo Guerra, communication major.

Arturo Guerra, a veteran student and communication major, started classes in San Diego after finishing a four-year enlistment before transferring to San Jacinto Community College (SJCC) where he received his associate’s degree. After graduating from SJCC, he chose UHCL to finish his bachelor’s in communication.

Guerra recalls the most difficult part of his transition was making sure all of his paperwork was in order to turn into the Office of Veterans Services and completing the Candidate Plan of Study for the College of Human Sciences and Humanities.

“The best part of my transition was meeting fellow veterans in classes or at the veteran’s office in San Jacinto and UHCL that would become great friends,” Guerra said. “Having a place to discuss class issues, annoyances or stories that we remember from the military helped to put things into perspective, like that we aren’t in the military anymore for one.”

Guerra, who served in the Navy as a petty officer second class from 2010-2014, has used the Office of Veterans Services at UHCL for various matters. These include certifying his veterans benefits in order to pay for tuition and receive a housing stipend to getting coffee in the office between classes as well as applying for HB 269- which refers to credit of up to 12 elective credits for veterans who have graduated high school with at least two years of active duty and an honorable discharge.

“I haven’t had issues receiving payments or being dropped from classes because of non-payment from the VA, so it’s helped me stay sane while finishing my degree by not having to worry about that,” Guerra said.

Guerra encourages veteran students to visit the veteran’s services office at any school they attend. When visiting, veteran services staff will explain the paperwork needed in order to start or continuing to use veterans’ benefits to pay for college.

“Not every veteran’s office is the same though, so if you’re still shopping for which school to attend make sure to visit when on campus and ask how they process benefits,” Guerra said.