The Australian student veteran experience: Making sense using Lizzio's model

Transitioning out of the military can be a disruptive and uncertain time for veterans. Higher education is one pathway to a new sense of identity and alternative career. In this chapter, we harness the professional perspectives of Australian university staff to explore the way in which Australian higher education is rapidly looking to attract and support military veterans into their higher education institutions as students. Utilizing focus group interviews with subject-matter experts, we look generate practical suggestions for better supporting the Australian military veteran. Analysis is framed around the conceptual model developed by Lizzio (2006) describing theFive Senses of Student Success: academic culture; capability; connectedness; purpose; and resourcefulness. Our findings emphasize the ways in which building a safe and respectful university environment requires an understanding of Australian civil–military relations, and how recognition of the skills, experiences and identities attained through military experience can empower veterans in the university institutional context.