DANTES
By: Michelle Alexander, Editor/Graphic Designer, DANTES
By: Erin Roberts
Pdi kickoff Professional Development Institute
Nearly 260 DoD VolEd Counselors attended the 2024 DoD VolEd PDI from across the Services at DEOMI Training Facility at Patrick SFB, in Cocoa Beach, FL. This year's PDI kicked off with a Presentation of the Colors, and the National Anthem.
Professional Development Institute
The Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES), in partnership with the Department of Defense (DoD) Voluntary Education (VolEd) Policy Office, hosted the 6th annual DoD VolEd Professional Development Institute (PDI) 2024, July 16-18, at the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute (DEOMI), Patrick Space Force Base, FL.
Mr. William “Bill” Fitzhugh, Director, Officer & Enlisted Personnel Management, under the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Military Personnel Policy, welcomed nearly 260 Education Services Officers and VolEd counselors from across the Services; some attending from as far away as Japan and South Korea and many watching virtually.
Mr. Fitzhugh’s opening remarks recognized the attendees for their dedication to readiness and helping to prepare our nation’s service members for their duties today and in the future.
“I am just so impressed with the work that you all
do.
I
am a product of your counseling. Thirty-eight years ago, I took my first college course as a Private in the Army, and it’s because an education counselor told me I should go take this class. I got to where I am because of the work you all do, so I thank you… know that a lot of people who are out there have better lives and better lives for their family because of your work. Just take that to heart. You do make a difference.”
- Mr. William “Bill” Fitzhugh
By: Erin Roberts
Professional Development Institute
DANTES Director, Jeff Allen, said that supporting the Services’ VolEd communities with this level of professional development training is critical to providing our service members with quality, educational opportunities, “As DANTES celebrates its’ 50th anniversary this year, we look back at all of the opportunities offered to service members and we know how important education counselors and VolEd professionals are to helping them reach their education goals. DANTES continually seeks ways to help the VolEd community and we look forward to 50 more years together as the DoD PDI continues to improve.”
DANTES and DEOMI personnel demonstrated exceptional collaboration to support the event with newly-installed audiovisual equipment, facility management, and the integration of the Qualtrics Customer Experience Feedback tool. Attendees were encouraged to provide session feedback in real time via DANTES’ MilEd Benefits Mobile App. This helped to gather lessons learned and collect attendee providing essential information for 2025 planning activities. More information on this event can be found at www.dantes.mil/PDI/
Professional Development Institute
The Service Chiefs’ Panel
Panel: Dr. Wes Smith, USA; Laurie Murphy, USAF; Shania Truelove, USN; Bart MacMillan, USMC; Stephen Keck, USCG
Moderator: Dr. Jonathan Woods
The Service Chief Panel's presentation focused on the various VolEd programs across different branches of the U.S. military. Key highlights included detailed statistics on program participation, such as the Army's Credentialing and Continuing Education Services, which reported significant engagement in counseling, tuition assistance, and credentialing assistance programs. The Navy's presentation emphasized tuition assistance policies, credentialing achievements, and the status of pilot programs aimed at enhancing education opportunities for sailors. The Air Force highlighted data on course enrollments, degree completions, and the impact of educational counseling, stressing the importance of flexibility and growth opportunities for Gen Z enlistees. The Coast Guard showcased a remarkable increase in participation in tuition assistance, credentialing assistance, and advanced education programs, attributing their success to effective awareness and leadership support. The USMC presentation highlighted efforts to standardize VolEd across Marine Corps bases, emphasizing the importance of strong advising and counseling services. It also discussed the impact of recent policy changes on tuition assistance and credentialing programs, aiming to enhance educational opportunities and overall service member development. The panel underscored the collective effort to improve service member education and career readiness through structured VolEd initiatives.
Professional Development Institute
Derius Swinton
Emotional Intelligence: The Journey to Excellence
Mr. Swinton explored the importance of emotional intelligence within the workforce and its impact on personal and professional success. Mr. Swinton introduced the concept of emotions and their influence on behavior, drawing from the work of David G. Meyers. He highlighted the significance of understanding and managing one’s emotions, as well as the role of empathy and social skills in building social competence. The session emphasized personal accountability, leadership success, and the application of emotional intelligence theories—physiological, neurological, and cognitive—within various group dynamics. The core message was encapsulated in the SOAR philosophy, encouraging attendees to “Stretch Out And Rise” beyond limitations through self-awareness, motivation, and disciplined emotional management. The presentation concluded with motivational affirmations to inspire continuous personal and professional growth.
The Power of Impactful Presentations
Mr. Swinton’s presentation was designed to provide a comprehensive guide on how to create and deliver effective presentations. The primary goals included describing the major components of a presentation, addressing the needs of the audience, and outlining methodologies for professional communication. The presentation was structured into three main parts: an introduction to set the tone, a body to elaborate on key points, and a conclusion to summarize and reinforce the thesis. Mr. Swinton emphasized the importance of understanding and engaging the audience, using methods such as impactful beginnings, visuals, storytelling, and humor. Additionally, the presentation covered maximizing presentation skills through confidence, eye contact, and authenticity. Mr. Swinton concluded by encouraging the audience to apply these techniques and conveyed an empowering message of “Just do it!” to inspire action.
Professional Development Institute
Kuande L. Hall Marketing and Stakeholder Engagement
Mr. Hall, focused on enhancing marketing strategies to communicate messages while minimizing costs effectively. The session covered foundational marketing principles, including the 4 Ps (Product, Price, Place, Promotion). It delved into effective content creation by understanding the audience, crafting clear messages, utilizing visual appeal, maintaining consistency and branding, and implementing solid calls to action. Additionally, the presentation explored traditional and digital marketing methods, emphasizing cost-effective strategies such as leveraging free tools, partnerships, and user-generated content. For more info, check out this video: Marketing and Stakeholder Engagement: Augmentin... |milBook Home (milsuite.mil)
ChatGPT: The Future is Now
Kuande L. Hall's presentation explored the transformative impact of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) on higher education. Mr. Hall detailed the features of ChatGPT, its widespread usage among students, and the associated ethical concerns. He discussed the dual-step process of GenAI involving pre-training and fine-tuning and highlighted the strengths and limitations of ChatGPT. The presentation also examined the positive educational opportunities provided by GenAI, such as personalized tutoring and administrative efficiency, alongside the negative impacts, including academic integrity issues and privacy concerns. Mr. Hall emphasized the need for effective institutional policies to manage these challenges and ensure responsible AI adoption.
Professional Development Institute
Beth Austin Strategies for Academic
Resilience: Navigating and Overcoming Course Challenges
The session equipped counselors with the necessary tools and strategies to effectively counsel students on overcoming academic setbacks and fostering resilience amid unsuccessful course performance or completion.
Ms. Austin's presentation, focused on enhancing the ability of military students to adapt and succeed in academic environments. She began by sharing her journey and then engaging the audience in discussing their observations of military student challenges. She defined resilience as adapting to challenging experiences, emphasizing the differences between military and college cultures. Beth outlined counselors' roles in fostering resilience, highlighting the transition from authoritarian to developmental advising models. She introduced practical tools such as the Pomodoro Technique, effective time management, active learning strategies, and the distinction between fixed and growth mindsets. The presentation concluded with a toolkit for counselors and a session for discussion and questions, underscoring the importance of a holistic approach to supporting military students. For more info check out this video: Strategies for Academic Resilience: Navigating ... |milBook Home (milsuite.mil)
Steven Lindas / Anne Everly Vocational / Trade Job Trends
The presentation on vocational job trends, focused on the importance and benefits of registered apprenticeships across various high-growth industries. It emphasized the employer-driven nature of these programs, which aim to increase productivity, improve workforce quality, retain company knowledge, and reduce turnover. Key components discussed included structured on-the-job training, related technical instruction, and attaining nationally recognized credentials. The presentation highlighted the role of employer involvement and the structured wage progression for apprentices, showcasing how these programs can help meet skill demands in industries like healthcare, IT, energy, manufacturing, and logistics. It also pointed out the collaborative effort required among employers, training providers, and government agencies to ensure the success of apprenticeship programs. For more info, check out this video Vocational / Trade Job Trends |milBook Home (milsuite.mil)
Professional Development Institute
Dana Kelly
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
Ms. Kelly’s presentation provided a comprehensive overview of the 2024-25 FAFSA and the Department of Education’s FAFSA simplification resources. The agenda covered vital topics such as the need analysis and application processing highlights, changes to the applicant experience, and the roles of various contributors. Ms. Kelly emphasized the importance of creating an FSA ID for students and contributors and highlighted the persistent issues with the online application process. The presentation also addressed the Federal Tax Information approval process and outlined the identity verification steps. Additionally, Ms. Kelly detailed the significant changes in the verification process, the new definitions for family size, and the specific requirements for reporting untaxed income. The session concluded with a discussion of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, including eligibility criteria, employer types, and qualifying repayment plans. For more info, check out this video: Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA... |milBook Home (milsuite.mil)
Dr. Jennifer L. Bloom
Appreciative Advising: Develop and Refine your Counseling Craft
Dr. Bloom's presentation provided an in-depth exploration of Appreciative Advising, emphasizing its theoretical foundations, practical application, and impact on student success. The presentation outlined the six phases of Appreciative Advising: Disarm, Discover, Dream, Design, Deliver, and Don't Settle. Dr. Bloom highlighted the importance of creating a positive first impression, asking open-ended questions, and co-creating achievable goals with students. The presentation underscored the need for advisors to believe in their students' potential, maintain a mindset of gratitude, and continually hone their craft. Dr. Bloom also discussed how effective advising benefits students and enriches advisors by allowing them to impact lives meaningfully. The presentation included examples of institutions successfully implementing Appreciative Advising and provided resources for further learning and professional development in this approach. For more info, check out this video: Appreciative Advising: Develop and Refine your ... |milBook Home (milsuite.mil)
Professional Development Institute
Tanika Mangum Managing and Paying Federal Student Loans
Ms. Mangum’s presentation provided a comprehensive guide for borrowers to navigate their federal student loans. The presentation covered several key areas, including a refresher on loan repayment following the end of the payment pause in September 2023, an overview of the StudentAid.gov dashboard, and detailed information about Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). Ms. Mangum also addressed the payment count adjustment process, explained how borrowers could get out of default through the Fresh Start program, and outlined the application process for Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans. The session concluded with recommended next steps for borrowers, such as setting up an account on StudentAid. gov, reviewing forgiveness options, and avoiding scams. The presentation emphasized the importance of proactive management to maximize the benefits available to borrowers.
Schnell Carraway & Terry Warren, Department of Veteran Affairs
Effective Use of Military Education Benefits
Mr. Warren and Ms. Carraway's presentation, covered a comprehensive overview of the GI Bill and other VA education programs. They began by discussing the mission and goals of the GI Bill, highlighting its history and improvements over the years. He provided detailed information on various GI Bill programs, including the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, and the Yellow Ribbon Program. They also introduced tools like the GI Bill Comparison Tool and discussed the benefits of personalized career planning and guidance. Additionally, they explained eligibility criteria, benefits duration, and the support available for transitioning service members and their families. The presentation concluded with an overview of the PACT Act and its implications for veterans' benefits.
Professional Development Institute
Dr. David Arrington
Resilient Teams: Managing Teams in a Multi-Generational Workforce
Dr. Arrington’s presentation on managing teams in a multi-generational workforce explored the challenges and opportunities of leading diverse teams in a rapidly changing work environment. He discussed the unique characteristics and communication preferences of different generations, from Traditionalists to Gen Z, and emphasized the importance of understanding and leveraging these differences to enhance team collaboration. Dr. Arrington also addressed the concept of change management, highlighting how multigenerational teams can build resilience by adapting to and embracing change. The presentation provided practical strategies for leaders to facilitate effective communication and reduce resistance to change, ensuring that all team members, regardless of their generational background, can contribute to the team’s success.
Staying Positive While Leading in the Upside-Down
Dr. Arrington's presentation, addressed the significant challenges leaders faced from 2020 onwards, including a hyper-polarized political climate, the rise of AI, inflation, and the ongoing effects of COVID-19. Dr. Arrington emphasized the importance of maintaining positivity and mental health amidst these turbulent times. The presentation outlined five key strategies: relaxing, recharging, refocusing, reskilling, and releasing. Leaders were encouraged to cultivate resilience, practice mindfulness, set clear goals, and foster a culture of continuous learning and innovation. By adopting these approaches, leaders could navigate rapid changes, support their teams effectively, and emerge stronger from adversity. Check out Dr Arrinton’s amazing video here: Staying Positive while Leading in the Upside Down
Professional Development Institute
Anthony Clarke’s DoD Installation Access
Mr. Clarke focused on the Department’s installation access requirements for educational institutions under the VolEd Program. The session began with introductions and a pre-test to gauge participants’ prior knowledge. Mr. Clarke outlined the purpose of the presentation, emphasizing the importance of compliance with DoD installation access rules, such as having a signed VolEd Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and adhering to state laws and federal student aid programs. The presentation also covered procedures for reporting non-compliance, the role of the Postsecondary Education Complaint System (PECS), and included interactive breakout exercises to reinforce the material. For more info, check out this video: DoD MOU for Installation Access: Rules of the Road |milBook Home (milsuite.mil)
Chip Bell
Professional Development Institute
The Art of Exceptional Customer Service
Mr. Bell’s presentation focused on the changing landscape of customer expectations and the critical role of exceptional customer service in meeting these evolving demands. He began by explaining how the concept of value has shifted, with customers now placing a higher emphasis on the overall experience rather than just the quality or price of a product or service. Mr. Bell used the example of varying coffee prices at different venues to illustrate how customers are willing to pay more for a superior experience, underscoring the importance of delivering not just a product but a memorable experience.
He then introduced a framework for delivering exceptional customer service, which he called “The Art of Exceptional Customer Service.” This framework included five key elements: knowing the customer, surprising them, including them, unburdening them, and mentoring them. Mr. Bell used anecdotes, including his own frustrating experience with a simple hotel request, to demonstrate how businesses could meet these expectations. His stories highlighted the need for service providers to be responsive, creative, and proactive in addressing
customer needs.
A significant portion of Mr. Bell’s presentation was dedicated to the concept of “unburdening” the customer. He argued that exceptional service should make the customer experience as effortless as possible by eliminating unnecessary steps and ensuring a smooth interaction. Mr. Bell’s personal anecdote about a hotel stay served as a powerful example of how small inconveniences can have a big impact on customer satisfaction, reinforcing the importance of attention to detail and customerfocused service.
In conclusion, Mr. Bell emphasized the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in customer service. He encouraged businesses to view every customer interaction as an opportunity to learn and improve, positioning themselves as partners and mentors to their customers. By focusing on these principles—personalization, simplicity, inclusion, and continuous improvement—Mr. Bell argued that businesses could not only meet but exceed customer expectations, ultimately fostering stronger customer loyalty and achieving long-term success. For more info, check out this video: 2024 PDI Plenary 4: The Art of Exceptional Cust... |milBook Home (milsuite.mil)
By: Erin Roberts
Dr Jonathan Woods thoughts
OF THE MONTH
Contingency Area Education Support Program
Supporting deployed service members, the DoD VolEd Program, through the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES), provides Contingency Area Education Support for deployed military members and those stationed overseas in the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility (AORs). The DANTES Europe Education Program’s contracted vendor, University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC), is currently providing academic program and testing services at 13 contingency sites in eight different countries within the USCENTCOM and USAFRICOM.
Recent Accomplishments. During the Spring Term March to June 2024, UMGC awarded 59 academic degrees to deployed service members and their family members; 7 undergraduate certificates, 25 associate degrees, 18 bachelor’s degrees, 8 master’s degrees and 1 graduate certificate to students attending college downrange. UMGC managed National Test Centers down range and administered 824 CLEP and DSST exams that help service members earn college credit for knowledge gained through previous experience, independent study, and their military training.
Do you want to pursue your education while deployed? We recommend service members, especially in the Guard and Reserve, go to their servicing Education & Training Centers to receive their initial TA briefing, upload orders, and update their education records before deployment. Time differences, distance, and communication connections can create timing issues with course start dates. After arriving in theater, some service members find it difficult to reach their home CONUS education offices to complete initial counseling and update their education records which can delay processing their Tuition Assistance applications.
Taking care of this before deploying will help ensure they are eligible to take college classes while in the AOR.
HOT NEWS: monthly webinars for COUNSELORS and service members
CLEP Webinar Series for Service Members:
CLEP Scores: What They Mean, How to Send, and Other Important Score Information
Wednesday, August 28, 2 pm ET / 1 pm CT / Noon MT / 11 am PT
DANTES-funded CLEP exams for eligible service members provide the opportunity to earn college credit for free and help you to get your degree faster. CLEP’s flexibility allows you to take CLEP exams whenever you are ready. Exams can be delivered remotely or in person at a CLEP test center. Learn what may be the best fit for you. REGISTER HERE!
Learn How OASC Features Can Help Service Members Excel
Thursday, August 22, 11 am ET
Helping service members excel in meeting their educational goals. We will discuss ways to maximize the effectiveness of the Online Academic Skills Course (OASC). The discussion will highlight the following areas: Academic Help Desk, Online Tutoring 24/7, Interactive lessons, Practice tests, Peer to peer discussion areas, and the Writing lab. REGISTER HERE!
CLEP Webinar Series for Education Counselors and Academic Institutions:
These CLEP webinars are hosted monthly by CollegeBoard and we encourage education professionals to join and use these resources regularly by registering on the CLEP website.
• Thursday, September 12, 1 pm ET
• Monday, October 14, 10 am ET
• Friday, November 15, 1 pm ET
• Wednesday, December 11, 2 pm ET REGISTER HERE!
