The Veteran's Resource Center: A Case Study

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Based on the aforementioned evidence, it was determined that veteran’s needs were not being met regarding post-secondary education, specifically in the areas of academic, fiscal, financial, and social needs. According to Boyle (1981), a program consists of a number of elements to exist as an educational program, and can be classified into an institutional program, a developmental program, and/or an informational program. The Veteran’s Resource Center will be a hybrid of all three types. The program will involve the target student audience in their own self-assessment and determination of needs with the assistance of staff through interviews and surveys and self-determined fiscal, emotional, and educational needs. As an institutional program, …show more content…
To what extent is the problem convergent vs. divergent?
The idea of deconstructing the problem as a whole by using a survey to determine the different needs of veterans to help them graduate was convergent. This was discovered by the survey and needs statement. These problems and issues that arose with veterans are divergent. Schumacher (1977) who indicated divergent may be expected with any problem which does involve life consciousness and self-awareness. The problems of academic majors, child care, career paths, and tutoring services are divergent. The reason why these are more divergent than convergent is the humanistic ideas of learning. As adults are in a higher education environment, their ideas and aspirations may change. The career they had in the military may not be the same they would want to pursue when they finish their degree. Having a tutor that may have different viewpoints and perspectives might conflict with the veteran’s outlook and educational goals. The only real divergent or unsolvable issues that could occur would come in the ways of not meeting the characteristics of the veteran in the program, or failing to be admitted or dropped from their college. At that time, all avenues will be approached to see if there can be a resolution to the problem. If not, the person may then be dropped from the program. The program as a whole is a convergent one. The concept of the program is to find solutions to existing problems to facilitate the successful completion of college, along with follow-up on the success in their careers. These solutions may be trial and error, and it may be a struggle. The purpose of the center will help try to ease the struggle these veterans will endure while trying to complete their educational