The moment Student Veterans find themselves in a room with others who have served, there’s an immediate connection. It’s a feeling that I’ve come to expect, but it's always a rewarding sight to see. It doesn't take very long after the first handshakes for shared experiences to emerge and shape the conversation.
Those experiences end up doing much more than just creating a sense of camaraderie. They establish a foundation for Student Veterans to start having meaningful conversations about the issues that matter most to them. This strengthens how they advocate for themselves and their brothers and sisters in arms.
That dynamic is exactly what makes opportunities like Hill Day so valuable. Student Veterans get a chance to bring those conversations into places where they can be heard by the people shaping policy and support systems. It gives real power to their voices and carries it farther.
Taking Their Voices to Capitol Hill
I recently joined a group of five ECPI University Student Veterans on a trip to Washington, D.C., to participate in Hill Day, organized by Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU). Every year, we conduct these visits as a way to facilitate introductions and continue the relationships we have with congressional offices. We have also used these visits for our senior leaders to talk about pending legislation and other topics important to our university.
But the most important reason we do this is to give Student Veterans an up-close look at the conversations and policies that affect their education, and how they can be part of them.
The participating students represented different programs from our campuses in Manassas, Newport News, and Virginia Beach. They brought to Capitol Hill a wide range of experiences from both their military service and their time in higher education.
Before that day, these students had never met. But something special happened the moment they did. It was less like an introduction and more like watching old friends pick up where they left off. Nate, one of the students, said that the connection he felt “speaks volumes to the camaraderie amongst veterans of all branches of service.”
Advocating for Student Veterans
Over the course of two days, the Student Veterans met with members of Congress and their staff to share stories of their transition from service to civilian life. They spoke about how they’re using their education at ECPI to move forward in their personal and professional lives, along with the challenges that come with navigating that shift.
Their time on Capitol Hill gave them the opportunity to address a range of important issues. Some discussed their experience using GI Bill® benefits and offered suggestions for improvement. Others shared what it’s like balancing family life with college. In many cases, they connected those experiences to broader challenges facing Student Veterans across the country.
Jenn, one of the participating students, recalled, “Getting to speak with Congresswoman Jen Kiggans was a highlight I will never forget. To have our voices heard at that level, advocating for Student Veterans, means everything.”
For educational leaders and policymakers, the stories are just as valuable. They give insight into the realities that Student Veterans face, which helps inform decisions, shape policy, and improve the systems designed to support them.
A personal highlight for me, which the students shared, was meeting Representative Jack Bergman, a retired 3-star U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant General. It brought a different level of perspective, and it demonstrated just how long the commitment to serve continues after the uniform comes off.
Continuing the Work Back at ECPI University
We’re bringing our experiences from Hill Day back to ECPI University, where we actively work to improve how we support our Student Veterans. The same sense of connection we saw in Washington is central to that work, and it’s something we continue to build on our campuses every day.
Connection is an important part of any college experience, but Student Veterans are often more receptive to it because of the strong sense of community built during their time in service. Within ECPI’s structure, it becomes a vital part of how they succeed.
I often hear from students that at ECPI, there’s a certain advantage to having served. There’s a sense of discipline with the pace and format that feels familiar to them. Many of the classes move as cohorts, so they see the same faces throughout their program. That consistency makes it easier for those connections to form naturally.
We also recently launched a new initiative to better support our online Student Veterans, recognizing that it can be more difficult for them to find spaces to connect in a virtual environment. With the SVA Online Chapter, led by CJ King, we’re creating opportunities for them to build community no matter where they’re located.
Just as important, we see this as part of helping Student Veterans find their voice. When they feel supported and connected, they gain the confidence to speak up both inside classrooms and outside. They’re more prepared to share their perspectives and advocate for themselves and the broader veteran community. We need those voices to help guide the decisions that affect their education and future.
Understanding Their Experiences to Better Support Them
As educators, institutional leaders, and policymakers, we commit ourselves to supporting our Student Veterans in their education and beyond. But too often we forget that we need to do it with them, not for them. That starts by listening to what they have to say.
The stories that veterans share matter long after their time in service. They represent lived experiences that can’t be overlooked when we’re creating policies that directly affect them.
I’m constantly impressed by our Student Veterans and am proud of what they shared on Capitol Hill. They added to the growing voices of past students who have represented ECPI and advocated for fellow veterans in these conversations, and I look forward to seeing that impact continue in the years ahead.
About the Author: Bill Brown, Executive Director of Military Education
Bill Brown is a retired Army officer and seasoned military and veteran education executive. He brings extensive leadership and management expertise, with a career spanning global assignments in operations, personnel, and logistics. Known as a collaborative and innovative leader, he approaches his work with intellectual rigor and genuine enthusiasm, dedicated to advancing education and support for service members and veterans.