ALVS History and Services

In the mid-1970s, adult women returning to the CSU campus to pursue degrees were supported by the Office of Women’s Programs and Studies (WPS). As needs grew for all non-traditional students on campus, the Office of Student Relations took over the coordination of orientations for these students. These services were eventually moved to the University Counseling Center (UCC) and overseen through a new Non-Traditional Student Office. 

 Early in the 1990s, the office moved to the Division of Student Affairs (DSA) and was combined with Off-Campus Student Services (OCSS) to become Off-Campus Services / Resources for Adult Learners (OCSSRAL). In 2007, the increasing need for veteran support, particularly those returning from the Iraq War, prompted the formation of a new office within Resources for Adult Learners, and a formal coordinator was envisioned to oversee Veteran Services.  

 Fourteen years ago, on July 1, 2009, OCSSRAL was divided into two separate offices, Adult Learner and Veteran Services (ALVS) and Off-Campus Life (OCL), both housed in the Lory Student Center. 

 Since then, ALVS has facilitated numerous scholarships, hosted tailgates and banquets, created identity weeks, organized mentoring and tutoring programs, and created numerous initiatives supporting student success. In 2011, ALVS partnered with CSU’s Morgan Library to start Ram Kids Village (RKV), a place in the library for parents to drop off their children while they study. In 2017, ALVS Director Marc Barker and the ALVS office advocated for a raise in student fees from the Student Fee Review Board to build additional space for ALVS. The increase was approved by students in the Spring of 2018. 

 In 2020, Barker was asked to co-chair the University’s pandemic response team. The organizational and strategic skills he developed in the military proved invaluable in his new role. By the end of 2020, Safety and Risk Services (SRS) was created in University Operations, and Barker transitioned out of ALVS and into the assistant vice president role at SRS in January of 2021. Ben Schrader was hired later in 2021 to be the new ALVS director.  

 Construction of the expanded office space began in May 2022, following a two-year delay due to concerns surrounding the pandemic and rising material costs. Work wrapped up in August of 2023, including additional renovations to the North End of the LSC.  

SCHOLARSHIPS

ALVS offers two scholarships through its office, and facilitates several CSU specific scholarships, including 12 CSUSA awards and scholarships and nine external scholarships. Visit https://alvs.colostate.edu/ for more information. 

RESOURCES 

  • Career Center Liaisons – resumes, employment, career guidance
  • Veteran Education Benefit Offices (VEBO) – benefit questions, G.I. Bill
  • Ram Kidz Village – educational activities at Morgan Library
  • Veterans Affairs (VA) Resources – VA transition and care caseworker
  • VITAL – Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership
  • Campus Liaisons – connection to student engagement opportunities

INVOLVEMENT 

  • Pinnacle Non-Traditional Honor Society
  • SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society
  • Student Veterans Organization (SVO)
  • Student Parent Organization
  • ALVS Advisory Board

SERVICES 

  • Orientation – ALVS track
  • Mentoring, tutoring (one-on-one around foundational classes)
  • Peer Advising Program
  • Workshops, Seminars
  • Community Engagement
  • Social Engagement – clubs, organizations, and events
  • Career Services
  • Benefits team

For more information, visit https://alvs.colostate.edu/. 

 

By Jill Jones

LSC Marketing

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