The Aurora Navy League Council 247 will hold its first in-person dinner meeting at its new, permanent location Tuesday, June 15. It will be held in the private room of the Riverside Diner, IL-25 and Mill Street, Montgomery. The Navy League will continue to hold its monthly meetings there.
A reception will begin at 5:15 p.m. followed by a meeting at 5:45 p.m. with dinner afterward. The cost is $25. all-inclusive if an entree is ordered, or $20 for the dinner salad featured that evening. Free entry without food. The meeting will conclude by 8 p.m..
The after-dinner speaker will be Dr. Terrell Odom, director Office for Military Affiliated Communities, University of Chicago. He has a very interesting slide presentation entitled:
“The Veteran Education Life Cycle (VELC) Model: An Alternative to the Department of Defense Transition Assistance Program”.
You do not need to be a member of the Navy League, or have a reservation, to attend the in-person meeting. The general public is welcome.
Veterans are discharged from the military at an average rate of 200,000 members per year and many veterans are choosing to enroll in higher education. The DoD Transition Assistance Program, now known as Transition GPS (Goals, Plans and Success), is designed to assist veterans with successful re-integration into society. However, veterans have consistently stated that the program is ineffective, that the training period is insufficient, and that they are frequently given too much information to digest in too short a period. The VELC model is best suited for addressing veteran transition into higher education by providing 1) early initiation to educational goals and prospective educational institutions (Initiation phase), 2) early intake into their chosen educational institution (Intake phase), 3) early introduction to supportive and academic services (Services phase), 4) early acclimation to college culture (Acclimation phase), 5) early introduction to the classroom environment (Classroom phase), and 6) access to understanding degree completion requirements (Completion phase).
Dr. Odom, a U.S. Navy veteran, is responsible for developing and coordinating efforts and specialized programs for the University’s military-affiliated communities, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, alumni, faculty, staff, and all their respective families. During his tenure at University of Chicago, he has grown the military-affiliated student population by over 165%, helped to bring Army Medicine to University of Chicago Medical Center, created several new programs and initiatives to raise awareness for veterans and their families, participated in research efforts around the country to support our heroes, and established a holistic support system for service members, veterans and their families transitioning into academic programs and careers.
Terrell received his Bachelor of Science from DeVry University, a Master of Business Administration from American Military University, a Master of Public Administration from the Keller Graduate School of Management, a Master of Online Teaching and Certification for Online Learning Administration from the University of Illinois at Springfield, a Master of Instructional Design and Technology from Western Illinois University, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Administration from Chicago State University. He is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health to explore solutions and recognize gun violence as a health concern in poverty-stricken communities.
Terrell has worked in higher education for more than 15 years, as an administrator, student services professional and faculty member, at trade and technical schools and, two and four-year universities, at public and private institutions. During his career, Terrell has constructed policies that incorporated military experience into institutional credit and stackable credentials, created college-level courses specific to transitioning service members, fostered environments that were engaging and conducive for the student veteran, and published research on awareness, access, and supporting military-affiliated students.
Terrell lives on the south side of Chicago with his wife, Phenesha, two daughters (Imani 20 and Terriana 18), and his three German Shepherd Dogs (Thunder, Lightning and Storm). He currently serves on the Advisory Council for Veterans Affairs for the city of Chicago as chairman, board member and Director of Veteran Outreach for the Georgia Doty HIV & Hepatitis Foundation, board member for the Lewis Family Foundation, an ambassador for the American Legion’s Military Credential Advancement Initiative, a member of the USS Illinois 786 Club and, as CEO & Founder of Veterans Serving Our Communities (VSOC) – a 501c organization that provides mentoring programs for middle and high-school students at risk by building engagement around community and law enforcement relations, education on gun violence and trauma prevention, reading and financial literacy, health & well-being, and increasing socioeconomic opportunities.
The Aurora Council is having a membership drive, and will pay half of the first year’s dues for new members. This is an excellent opportunity to attend an interesting event, and determine whether you would like to join permanently.
— Aurora Navy League Council 247