From Servicemember to Student

Friday, May 9, 2014

Breaking the VA Monopoly and Why Forcing Shinseki to Resign Won’t Be Enough to Fix the VA

No market incentive to be efficient

With the recent news out of Phoenix the Department of Veterans Affairs is under intense scrutiny again. This follows reports within the past year of malfeasance and/or incompetence coming out of the VA Office of Public Health and the Atlanta VA Medical Center. Unfortunately, I would argue that the fact that the VA is failing the veterans they serve extends beyond what appears to be a culture of malfeasance but rather a genetic defect within the DNA of the Department of Veterans Affairs. That genetic defect is that the Department of Veterans Affairs is a monopoly, controlling the entire market for administering veterans’ benefits and healthcare with no competitor to incentivize them to be more efficient or risk losing market share. Like other forms of government entities that provide public goods the VA lacks a competitor under the premise that the private sector has no market incentive to provide public goods and thus said goods must be provided by the public or non-profit sector. However, in the early 1970s Fred Smith and FedEx challenge the notion of public goods being provided by the private sector. Furthermore, the market forces placed upon the United States Postal Services by FedEx resulted in substantial efficiency gains such as Priority and Express Mail that otherwise might not have existed in the absence of a competitor to the USPS. To that point, I posit that the lack of a FedEx-like competitor to the Department of Veterans Affairs has created little to no economic incentive (and apparently no moral incentive) to provide cost effective/efficient services as well as optimal care to our nation’s veterans.

To further illustrate, if there was a market based competitor to the VA how many veterans would continue to wait over a year for their disability claims to be processed if they could opt to utilize the services of a competitor to the Veterans Benefits Administration even if there was a fee for said claims and processing services? If the private sector can provide innovative market based solutions to things like processing and submitting income tax refunds for a substantial portion of the country’s working population (likely much greater than those on the VA disability claim waitlist) does it stand to reason that veterans would be willing to pay for services using a similar model when it comes to disability claims? Based on my conversations with fellow Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans I would lean towards a resounding yes. Further, if a veteran knew that they could cut their appointment waiting times by 50% or more for seeing a primary care provider, mental health providers and specialty clinics by using a private sector provider network and insurance policy in lieu of opting out of VA health care coverage how many would be willing to pay a premium for that service? Many retired veterans already exercise this option by choosing to utilize Tricare Humana rather than the Veterans Healthcare Administration Benefits they are also entitled to. As someone who has received care from the private sector, I would understand why veterans might decide to pursue such an option given they have the means to do so.

Why forcing Shinseki to resignation won’t address the real issues

It is my belief that Secretary Shinseki is merely a symptom and not the root cause of the VA's woes. Based on my experience both as a patient of the VA and working in the VA system I would argue that the VA employee unions are a major portion of the root cause. Let's say Shinseki does know how to fix the problem. It's very hard to implement effective solutions when you constantly get union push back. Because of this fact, I would argue that to an extent, Secretary Shinseki was set up for failure largely because he lacked the means to reform the VA by not having the adequate authority to hold employees and leadership accountable due to union bargaining agreements which make it very difficult to fire or demote substandard employees after they have completed their probationary period (typically 1 year). Thus, if Shinseki is forced to resign but nothing is done about the VA employee union then it might be fair to say veterans’ advocacy groups will have missed the forest for the trees and perhaps having accomplished nothing more than a symbolic gesture. To that end, there was a recent article entitled “12 People Who Could Replace Eric Shinseki At The VA”. While it was certainly an interesting list with high profile individuals the question I would pose is how many of those listed would be willing to challenge the VA employee union for greater accountability of substandard employees if push came to shove?

Secondly, it has been my observation that to a great extent, the culture within the VA has become so perverse that employee union stakeholder interests consistently win out over the veteran stakeholder interests who are receiving care and are the reason for the VA's existence as well as funding in the first place. Furthermore, several of the VA whistleblowers of these scandals have been Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, many of whom were greatly retaliated against by their peers and leadership. What does that say about the hundreds of thousands of VA employees who may have chosen to look the other way in recent years? Thus, I posit that such inaction on the part of the VA employees speaks to a systemic issue that has become part of the culture within the VA. With more stories of VA malfeasance coming out of Austin, Fort Collins and San Antonio I would argue this is perhaps only the beginning of the reports we are likely to hear in the coming weeks and months not unlike when the truth came out about Jerry Sandusky and the Penn State cover-up.

Conclusion and Potential Solutions

Ultimately, I would argue that the VA is greatly in need of a FedEx like competitor for many of its functions ranging from benefits to healthcare to incentivize greater efficiency, innovation and return on taxpayer dollars. Further, regardless of if Shinseki or someone else is the VA Secretary going forward, that person needs to have adequate authority over firing or demoting substandard employees which is the goal of the proposed bill HR 4031. Further, this person must have the courage to challenge the employee union if the culture within the VA is to change for the better by putting veteran stakeholder interests first. Only then might the VA be worthy of the moniker “Best Care Anywhere”. To not do so would a serious breach of our nation’s social contract with its veterans and allow the VA to become a sinkhole of taxpayer dollars with “doctored “outcomes touted by bureaucrats with fingers crossed behind their backs.

The Roger Hedgecock Show "Fixing the VA's Broken System"

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Why Should Blog Posts Concerning Mike Dakduk, SVA and APSCU matter to me?

Why Should Blog Posts Concerning Michael Dakduk, SVA and APSCU Matter to Me?

Today I was asked by a military supporter "why should I read your blogs concerning Michael Dakduk, Student Veterans of America and the Association for Private Sector College and Universities (APSCU)?” This is a very fair question and my reply is as follows:

For historical context which might help explain why Dakduk chose to join APSCU
For historical context which might help explain SVA's relatively soft stance on predatory institutions in comparison to veterans organizations like IAVA
For historical context that encourages critical dialogue regarding the ability of the for-profit education sector to self-regulate
For historical context that encourages critical dialogue regarding the need for increased regulation of for-profit higher education sector as opposed to providing adequate resources to enforce existing consumer protection policies
For historical context which might help explain the VA and State Approving Agencies apparent lack of enforcement of veteran consumer protection laws
For historical context that might explain the various actions and political positions taken by SVA, APSCU and Dakduk
For historical context that encourages critical dialogue regarding how to prevent the premature demise of the Post 9/11 GI Bill

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Michael Dakduk, Student Veterans of American & the Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities: The Curious Case of Michael Dakduk

Michael Dakduk, Student Veterans of American & the Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities: The Curious Case of Michael Dakduk

When it was announced that Michael Dakduk was joining the Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities (APSCU) the news elicited a wide range of opinions both positive and negative throughout the veterans community. In this this entry, we will trace the journey and key events that culminated with Dakduk's decision to join APSCU. By doing so, we seek to obtain greater insight into how his relationship with and perspective of APSCU developed over time.

Prior to joining the Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities (APSCU) as Vice President of Military and Veterans Affairs, Michael Dakduk served as executive director for the national nonprofit organization Student Veterans of America (SVA). While attending the University of Nevada – Las Vegas helped organize student veterans on his campus and co-found a chapter of Student Veterans of America (SVA). He later served as the SVA National Vice President and contributed over 4,000 volunteer service hours to the organization. For his dedication to supporting America’s student veterans, he was awarded the U.S. President's Lifetime Volunteer Service Award prior to being named executive director of SVA. . In 2010 he completed his bachelor's degree in public administration and was awarded the President Harry S. Truman Scholarship.[1] From 2004 to 2008 Dakduk served in the United States Marine Corps. In the Marines, Dakduk first served under I Marine Expeditionary Force, 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, where he deployed to Iraq in 2005. Upon return, he served in a direct support capacity with the 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion including a second deployment that was to Afghanistan in 2007. Dakduk has been featured or quoted on veterans' affairs in the Washington Post, USA Today, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Fox News, CNN, and other leading local and national media outlets. Michael has testified before the Nevada State Assembly and the House Committee on Veterans Affairs. Shortly after being named a Truman scholar, Dakduk was quoted as saying “Helping veterans - especially during the transition from combat to civilian life - will remain my life's work. There are visible and invisible wounds of war. I firmly believe that higher education is the way to ensuring the success of our young military veterans as future leaders of our community, state and country. There's a great responsibility now and more responsibility on my shoulders. I have to work harder on behalf of the issues I am passionate about."

April 2008: with the support of a handful of faculty and staff, Michael Dakduk co-founds UNLV’s first student veterans organization. [2]

September 2008: Michael Dakduk elected President of UNLV Student Veterans of America chapter.[3]

February 18, 2009: Michael Dakduk testifies before Nevada Assembly Committee on Judiciary in support of AB 1 which would prohibit certain demonstrations at a funeral, memorial service or ceremony. Dakduk is quoted as saying, “I do not want to have to look into a mother's or father's eyes, with this going on in the background, while their son or daughter is being laid to rest after honorably serving their country. I worry about the loved ones. These protestors are demonstrating against public policy and warfare, but a memorial ceremony is neither the right place nor time to demonstrate.”[4]

April 17-19, 2009: 2nd Annual Student Veterans of America Conference held in San Francisco, CA. Derek Blumke is re-elected as President, Michael Dakduk is elected Vice President and Russell Silver is re-elected Secretary. Consequently, all are appointed or re-appointed to the SVA Board of Directors.

August 4. 2009: Michael Dakduk speaks with Nevada NPR radio station regarding The New GI Bill.[5]

August 14, 2009: As public attention to student veterans increased, UNLV is criticized for not investing enough in veterans’ services or dedicating money to open a veteran’s center. Along with UNLV Associate Professor Bob Ackerman and UNLV Student Veterans Organization President Antonio Montenegro III, Dakduk suggests that at a commuter school with dire financial problems such as UNLV, what they really need is a student organization and a good Web site — not a building and staff. They go on to state that much of what veterans need is available on campus and that the university doesn’t have to spend a bundle to make UNLV more attractive and welcoming to veterans. Additionally it is mentioned that most of the post-9/11 veterans expected on campus belong to a generation that’s more comfortable browsing the Web and text-messaging than sitting in an office talking to a liaison. They’re getting much of the information they need informally from other veterans, so improving that communication network is the best place to start. “We’re not creating anything new and at this point we don’t really need to,” Ackerman says.”[6]

April 4, 2010: Michael Dakduk named on of 60 Harry S. Truman Scholars from among 576 candidates nominated by 245 colleges and universities. Peter Starkweather, dean of the UNLV Honors College said, "It is clear from his background that Michael Dakduk brings credibility to his policy concerns, and has used that status in the veterans' community to accomplish important results, both large and small. This provides strength and effectiveness as a leader." Dakduk is quoted as saying, "There are visible and invisible wounds of war. I firmly believe that higher education is the way to ensuring the success of our young military veterans as future leaders of our community, state and country. There's a great responsibility now and more responsibility on my shoulders. I have to work harder on behalf of the issues I am passionate about." Scholars receive $30,000 for graduate studies, priority admission and supplemental financial aid at some premier graduate institutions, leadership training, career and graduate school counseling and special internship opportunities within the federal government.[7]

September 11, 2010: The UNLV Veterans Memorial is dedicated on the ninth anniversary of Sept. 11th. The memorial was the first of its kind in Las Vegas. The UNLV Student Veterans Organization, UNLV veteran services office, and local veterans groups raised about $5,000 to purchase the bronze sculpture. Michael Dakduk plays an instrumental role in helping the veterans' memorial come to fruition.[8],[9]

October 1-4th, 2010: The 3rd Annual SVA national conference is held at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. Michael Dakduk is awarded the U.S. President's Lifetime Volunteer Service Award for contributed over 4,000 volunteer service hours to SVA as National Vice President. Among the Conference’s sponsors is DeVry University a for-profit institution of higher education. Further, in a closed door meeting involving members of the SVA Board of Directors in which Michael Dakduk was briefly present, DeVry University veteran and military recruitment staff member is taken to task by SVA state leadership regarding substantiated complaints by a DeVry student veteran for its lack of promised support to veterans at one of its satellite locations that is inconsistent with their stated and published recruitment claims. Nevertheless, the SVA Board of Director members are dismissive of the matter citing the lack of an expressed written contract.

October 2010: As a member of the SVA board of directors Michael Dakduk endorses passage of S.3447: Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2010 despite opposition and warnings of unintended consequences among SVA chapters, student veterans as well as state and regional directors. Once signed into law, S.3447 would: 1) Increase access to Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits to those who were otherwise not entitled, like National Guard members activated under Title 32 and non-degree seeking students interested in flight school or correspondence classes, 2) active duty members and spouses will receive the $1000 a year book stipend, 3) Gives students using Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits the choice to elect the sometimes more generous living stipend of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, 4) Allows reimbursement for tests used for admission into college (SAT, ACT, GMAT, LSAT) and 5) Students taking only online classes will receive a housing allowance half the national average, at $673 a month if 100 percent qualified (36 months of active duty time). However, S.3447 as written would eliminate break pay between the fall and spring semesters as a means to help pay for the aforementioned students to use benefits. Although Post 9/11 GI Bill benefit recipients understood this compromise as written, it faced opposition from many SVA chapters, student veterans as well as regional and state directors since break pay eased the burden to pay rent and in many cases support families between semesters. Further, with knowledge of the August 2010 GAO report in which undercover tests at 15 for-profit colleges found that 4 colleges encouraged fraudulent practices and that all 15 made deceptive or otherwise questionable statements to GAO’s undercover applicants and that the majority of programs offering online only classes are operated by said institutions, several SVA leaders at the state level opposed the measure providing eligible students taking only online classes a housing allowance as written. Moreover, the SVA Board of Directors ignored warnings by the aforementioned state level SVA leadership that without provisions to help enforce state and federal laws protecting beneficiaries the measure as written would encourage fraud and predatory recruitment by unscrupulous institutions seeking to profiteer of the Post 9/11 GI Bill and unsuspecting beneficiaries with the disadvantage of asymmetric information. To remedy this, said state leadership proposed adding an amendment to S.3447 that would provide additional funding to state approving agencies in all 50 states to ensure the necessary resources for adequate enforcement of federal and state consumer protection laws covered under U.S. Code Title 38 Section 36.96: Limitation on Certain Advertising, Sales and Enrollment Practices.[10],[11],[12],[13]

November 2010: Mike Dakduk named the Student Veterans of America’s 3rd Executive Director succeeding Derek Blumke.

February 2011: During a SVA membership conference call Executive Director publicly acknowledges for the first time in 3 years that SVA is registered as a non-membership 501c (3) organization in which SVA “members” or member chapters have no voting rights in non-profit affairs of the organization.

April 2011: Rapid growth would exceed the organization’s capacity to offer optimal support to chapters that Michael Dakduk and the SVA Board of Directors felt was unacceptable. In response, Dakduk led SVA’s dedicated efforts to restructuring the organization and program development with support from the Bridgespan Group as part of a grant funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. As a result, Michael Dakduk played a key role in the decision to eliminate all state and regional leadership in favor of one Student Council composed of six students including the President and Vice President. This was understandably a highly controversial move that some student veterans felt left them disenfranchised and disconnected from the national leadership.[14],[15]

August 2011: UNLV opens Veteran Resource Center.[16]

August 3, 2011: Mike Dakduk expresses concerns that budget hawks seeking to reduce federal spending will flail the Post 9/11 GI Bill.[17]

September 18, 2011: UNLV Named Military Friendly School by G.I. Jobs Magazine. UNLV alum and executive director for the Student Veterans of America Michael Dakduk is quoted as saying “The Military Friendly Schools list is the go-to resource for prospective student veterans searching for schools that provide the right overall experience. Nothing is more compelling than actual feedback from current student veterans.”[18]

September 23, 2011: Mike Dakduk speaks on behalf of disabled student veteran who alleges college kicked him out over combat service connected disability.[19]

September 30, 2011: In a NBC KTNV Las Vegas news report Michael Dakduk publicly criticizes his alma mater UNLV for not being a VA Yellow Ribbon school that would assist out-of-state student veterans with covering the cost of tuition through funds that are then matched by the federal government. But UNLV hasn't signed onto the program. Michael states, "It bothers me that my alma mater is not stepping up.”[20]

March 27, 2012: SVA supports GI Bill Consumer Awareness Act of 2012 and issues the following statement is addressed to Senator Patty Murray: "Today's veterans are being given the opportunity of a lifetime to improve their economic viability through education with the Post 9/11 GI Bill,” said Student Veterans of America Executive Director Mike Dakduk. “In order to most effectively take advantage of this generous benefit, however, we need to make sure that they are provided with the proper information to make informed decisions about their future alma mater, and Student Veterans of America is proud to support this Bill which does just that."[21]

April 5, 2012: Student Veterans of America initially reports suspending 40 of its chapters at for-profit colleges for improperly promoting the universities and not being sufficiently student-run. AP says that the “essentially fake SVA chapters” helped the schools get onto lists of “military friendly” or “veterans friendly” colleges. Michael Dakduk, executive director of SVA, said the action came after a routine review of organization procedures uncovered a pattern of problems with the for-profit chapters. According to Dakduk, “Numerous chapters were founded with a faculty member as the main point of contact, instead of a student veteran. Those chapters were found to have no actual student members, and the SVA brand was being used by the schools’ marketing departments in recruiting efforts.” Additionally, Dakduk says “SVA will not allow institutions of higher learning, whether for-profit or not, to use the name Student Veterans of America for the sole benefit of the institution.. Dakduk goes on to say his group is not releasing the names of the 40 institutions believed to be operating chapter scams until after a full review of their records can be completed. But added, the group does plan to publicly out institutions found to be exploiting SVA’s reputation.”
[22]

April 18, 2012: Mike Dakduk writes editorial Post 9/11 GI Bill Allow For-Profit Colleges to Take Advantage of Veterans[23]

April 26, 2012: Student Veterans of America publicly names 26 of 40 suspended chapters. Reinstates 14 chapters initially suspended. “SVA’s executive director weighed in on why the violations are significant: 1) It defrauds veterans seeking advice from SVA’s student leaders 2) It deters veterans who would otherwise form chapters at these campuses 3) It misrepresents these chapters as being a point of contact for veterans seeking out their peers who can help them with transition issues and introduce them to a community of individuals that share similar experiences and 4) It undermines the legitimacy and reputation of SVA and many military and veteran-friendly school lists cite having a SVA chapter as a criterion for becoming ‘veteran-friendly’. Out of the 26 schools that saw their SVA chapters pulled, 14 appeared on a major “military friendly” school list, which is then used by for-profits to attract active duty troops and Veterans. One school with three revoked SVA chapters took the number one spot in the online and nontraditional category for the Military Times Edge “Best for Vets: Colleges 2011”.”[24]

April 30, 2012: ABC News profile’s SVA Executive Director Mike Dakduk in article “U.S. Veterans Targeted by Marketers in College Selection Process” Dakduk said the onus is on veterans to conduct research to find the best accredited schools that will help them with their career goals, instead of relying on arbitrary lists of the "best" schools for veterans. "Research is going to be paramount," he said. "Do not take information from a third party. I don't care what their title is, whether it's the president of a university or a CEO. Go straight to GIBill.va.gov and find out exactly what the benefits are," he said. "If you take information from someone out of a story or from a blog, you might be misled. That's not what SVA is about," he said. "It's a peer-to-peer student network led by student veterans."[25]

May 16, 2012: Michael Dakduk testifies before House Committee on Veterans Affairs regarding hearing on Executive Order #13607 and Its Impacts on Schools and Veterans. Calls for an amendment to the 90/10 rule with the following statements: “Common sense dictates that schools that are required to receive no more than 90% of their income from the federal government should not be able to skirt this rule by accepting the overage in veterans’ benefits. Requiring competition for 10% of revenue is a reasonable mechanism for ensuring this and strengthens the free-market in education. Quite frankly, any business that complains about having to compete for 10% of their customers should not be in business. We strongly challenge the sentiment that a change to 90/10 or the requirements contained in this Executive Order somehow inhibits a school’s ability to compete.[26]

November 9, 2012: APSCU Announces Formation of Blue Ribbon Taskforce for Military and Veterans Education. Student Veterans of America Executive Director Michael Dakduk is named as a Special Advisor to the taskforce.[27]

July 16, 2012: Executive Director Michael Dakduk visits Chapter leaders and University President at ECPIU, a for-profit university.

August 24, 2012: Michael Dakduk participates in a roundtable discussion along with representatives from APSCU and their member institutions on the Treatment of military veterans by for-profit colleges and universities at the 2012 American Legion Convention. Dakduk scapegoats the media for “influencing public and political opinion of veterans’ education” as it relates to the for-profit sector and states that “I think this (roundtable) is a testament to what key players are really doing.” These comments were apparently made in light for-profit representatives’ vehement criticism of the Senate HELP committee report on for-profit higher education and ensure student success led the Senator Tom Harkin, in particular, Suzanne Palmer of the Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities. [28]

October 2, 2012: UNLV named GI Jobs Veteran Friendly School for second consecutive year.[29]

April 10, 2013: Executive Director Michael Dakduk testifies before House Committee on Veterans Affairs regarding GI Bill Tuition Fairness Act of 2013. We are proud to be working with the American Legion on a state-by-state initiative to see in-state tuition granted to all veterans. We are also very proud to be aligned with both the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) in seeing this issue resolved in Congress. SVA fully supports H.R. 357 and we encourage Congress to recognize that veterans served our nation in its entirety, not just one state.[30]

June 5-7, 2013: Student Veterans of America Executive Director Michael Dakduk attends APSCU Convention in Orlando, Florida. Dakduk sat on a panel focusing on the President’s Executive Order 13607: Establishing Principles of Excellence for Educational Institutions and Public Law 112-249: Improving Transparency of Education Opportunities for Veterans.[31]

June 2013: UNLV named VA VetSuccess on campus program site.[32]

June 20, 2013: SVA executive director Michael Dakduk came before the House Veterans Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity June 20th to testify on the importance of tracking student veteran success rates, and to share best practices he has seen throughout his travels to over 150 college and university campuses. SVA has been involved in the efforts to improve consumer information and consumer protections for student veterans since late 2011 and more formally in early 2012. In his statement, Dakduk makes reference to SVA a key contributor and signatory of a coalition letter, authored by the VFW, calling for executive and congressional action to inform and protect veterans in higher education. [33]

August 14, 2013: In a press release, Michael Dakduk applauds President Obama's announcement of the 8 Keys to Success program while stating disappointment that the Obama Administration did not reach out to the SVA when developing the program. Dakduk states, "SVA has played a significant role over the past five years in advancing the dialogue around campus-level improvements to support student veterans. However, I am discouraged that the administration did not reach out to the only campus-based veterans organization exclusively dedicated to veterans, service members and their families in higher education. SVA has made great strides in implementing the '8 Keys to Success' prior to its inception." Additionally, Dakduk states a desire to collaborate with the Obama Administration in the future.[34]

August 25, 2013: Via twitter SVA misquotes President of the United States. “POTUS asked about bad actors-says problems are across the board not just in for profits.” In response to a question at an event Friday at Binghamton University President Obama’s actual stated, “So there are probably more problems in the for-profit sector on this than there are in the traditional non-for-profit colleges, universities and technical schools, but it's a problem across the board.”[35]

September 2013: UNLV named GI Jobs Veteran Friendly School for 3rd consecutive year.[36]

September 30, 2013: Student Veterans of America announces Michael Dakduk will be stepping down after nearly 3 year as Executive Director. Mr. Dakduk issued the following brief statement: “Higher education has evolved to be more supportive of veterans, servicemembers, and their families. That evolution is a direct result of the growth and influence of SVA. I am happy to have played a small role in such a remarkable organization. Moreover, I am grateful for the opportunity to have served in many different capacities at SVA. I maintain that my most cherished position was that of chapter leader. Student veteran groups are the backbone of this organization and remain the vehicle through which we enact change. Thank you to the SVA team and our partners for such an incredible experience. I look forward to supporting SVA in my future endeavors. [37],[38]

November 2013: In an article authored by Michael Dakduk he states that “Two key points differentiate career-oriented colleges from traditional higher education when it comes to veterans, service members and their families: accessibility and affordability. The accessibility of taking a class online at your own pace, or in the evening after work, defines the innovation of private sector, career-oriented programs. Many private sector colleges and universities provide veterans, service members and their families with tuition discounts or prices that allow them to maximize their federal benefits. Additionally, the time it takes to complete a postsecondary credential at these career colleges is often shortened by providing credit for military experience and through fast-track programs. This allows veterans to save some of their hard-earned benefits for future postsecondary training opportunities. Perhaps of equal or greater importance, many of these colleges have more than one dedicated employee focused on veteran and service member benefits and support. At many traditional colleges and universities, the ratio of veterans to school officials is mind-boggling. At some institutions, there are more than a thousand GI Bill veterans for one school certifying official. Of course, this is important to affordability for one main reason: Many veterans cannot afford college if they cannot get their benefits processed in a timely manner. While the conversation around college affordability is real and very concerning, veterans using the Post-9/11 GI Bill at career colleges are fairly immune given discounted tuition, programs with shortened time to completion, and the awarding of credit for military experience and training. Recently, critics have come roaring down on career-oriented schools. Some of this criticism is warranted. However, I would be shortsighted if I did not acknowledge the innovation and adaptability of private sector colleges and universities when it comes to serving veterans, service members and their families. Traditional institutions have taken notice. They are evolving. However, their evolutionary change may be likened to the pace of a snail. Regardless, this is where career-oriented colleges add the most value for students. They can quickly adapt and meet the demands of a changing labor market. Ultimately, competition and choice is better for veterans, service members and all future students in higher education. [39]

November 5, 2013: APSCU announces Michael Dakduk as its new Vice President of Military and Veterans Affairs after having previously served as executive director of Student Veterans of America. APSCU President and CEO Steve Gunderson states “The addition of Michael Dakduk builds on our member institutions’ commitment to excellence in postsecondary education for military and veteran students. Michael brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to APSCU and our members at a time when we must lead postsecondary education efforts to meet the education needs and expectations of military service members, veterans, and their families. We look forward to Michael’s leadership in advancing our institutions’ commitment to military and veteran students seeking education and career skills necessary to succeed in the workforce.” In the newly created position, Dakduk will be supporting private sector colleges and universities in the development of programs, services, and policies that support military veterans, service members, and their families. He will also work with the APSCU government relations team on legislative and regulatory issues related to military and veteran students. Dakduk is quoted as saying “It is exciting to join the team at APSCU as we build on our institutions’ service to members of the military family enrolled in our institutions. Post-secondary education holds a critical role in the continued success of service members and the effective transition of military veterans. I am eager to work with our institutions to build upon quality programs and services for the military and veteran community.” Dakduk states in an email that he chose to join APSCU because he believes its members “play a critical role in the transition of service members into post-secondary education and ultimately onto career pathways. He goes on to state “I found in my previous career that it is too easy for people to be critics. Anybody can talk about problems; what I am focused on is rolling up my sleeves and working with people on the frontlines of education to address the challenges our service members and veterans may face.”[40],[41]

November 8, 2013: In a statement released by APSCU Michael Dakduk states that the renewed effort to tighten the 90/10 rule would “harm post-secondary access and opportunity” for veterans and active duty service members. “The 90/10 rule is not a measure of institutional quality,” he said. “It is a measure of the socioeconomic position of the student population served.”[42]

References

[1] Retrieved from: http://www.apscuconvention.org/events/sessions/documents/CropseyGonzalezHendricksonDakdukBIOS.pdf

[2] Retrieved from: https://sites.google.com/site/svounlv/aboutus

[3] Retrieved from: http://www.linkedin.com/in/dakduk

[4] Nevada Assembly Committee on Judiciary.(2009). Minutes of the Meeting of the Assembly Committee on Judiciary. February 18, 2009. Retrieved from: http://www.leg.state.nv.us/75th2009/Minutes/Assembly/JUD/Final/180.pdf

[5] Retrieved from: http://www.knpr.org/son/archive/detail2.cfm?SegmentID=5581

[6] Tavares, Stephanie.(2009) For veterans, a new world at college. Las Vegas Sun. August 14, 2009. Retrieved from: http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/aug/14/brave-new-world/

[7] Bawany, Afsha.(2010). UNLV Student Recieves Prestigious 2010 Harry S. Truman Foundation Scholarship. UNLV NewsCenter. April 4, 2010. Retrieved from: http://news.unlv.edu/release/unlv-student-receives-prestigious-2010-harry-s-truman-foundation-scholarship

[8] Ibid

[9] UNLV News Center.(2013). The Back Story: Veterans Memorial. February 19, 2013. Retrieved from: http://news.unlv.edu/article/back-story-veterans-memorial

[10] Library of Congress. (2011). S.3447: All Congressional Actions and Amendments. Accessed on: December 14, 2013. Retrieved from: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:SN03447:@@@S

[11] Government Printing Office. (2011). Public Law 111-377: Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2010. Accessed on: December 14, 2013. Retrieved from: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-111publ377/pdf/PLAW-111publ377.pdf

[12] U.S. Government Accountability Office. (2010). For-Profit Colleges: Undercover Testing Finds Colleges Encouraged Fraud and Engaged in Deceptive and Questionable Marketing Practices. Retrieved from: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d10948t.pdf

[13] United States House of Representatives. (1974). 38 U.S.C. 3696 - LIMITATION ON CERTAIN ADVERTISING, SALES, AND ENROLLMENT PRACTICES. U.S. Government Printing Office. Retrieved from: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2011-title38/pdf/USCODE-2011-title38-partIII-chap36-subchapII-sec3696.pdf

[14] SVA Fact Sheet. Vets Prevail. September 18, 2012. Retrieved from: https://www.vetsprevail.org/posts/175-sva-fact-sheet

[15] Student Veterans of America. Student Veterans of America National Leadership Council Formed. April 6, 2011. Retrieved from: http://myemail.constantcontact.com/SVA-National-Leadership-Council-Created.html?soid=1102247846799&aid=AzmD43IOpAY

[16] Hamrick, Florence A, RuMann, Corey B.(2013) Called to Serve: A Handbook on Student Veterans and Higher Education. p. 88. Josey-Bass Publishing. San Francisco, CA.

[17] Brewin, Bob. Under debt deal, military pay, veterans programs in play for cuts. Government Executive. August 3, 2011. Retrieved from: http://www.govexec.com/defense/2011/08/under-debt-deal-military-pay-veterans-programs-in-play-for-cuts/34557/

[18] UNLV Media Relations.(2011). UNLV Named Military Friendly School by G.I. Jobs Magazine. September 18, 2011. Retrieved from: http://news.unlv.edu/release/unlv-named-military-friendly-school-gi-jobs-magazine

[19] Disabled Vet Kicked Out of College. Fox and Friends. Fox News Corporation. September 23, 2011. Retrieved from: http://video.foxnews.com/v/1181448445001/

[20] Patel, Tina.(2011). You Ask: Is UNLV doing enough for veterans? September 30, 2011. KNTV Las Vegas. Retrieved from: http://www.clipsyndicate.com/video/play/2892721

[21] Retrieved from: http://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=1df74132-a1ef-4bf5-aba7-741d2897a2c8

[22] Shane, Leo III. Student vets group shuts down sham chapters at for-profit colleges. April 5, 2012. Stars and Stripes. Retrieved from: http://www.stripes.com/news/student-vets-group-shuts-down-sham-chapters-at-for-profit-colleges-1.173675

[23] Dakduk, Michael. Post 9/11 GI Bill Allow For-Profit Colleges to Take Advantage of Veterans. PolicyMic. April 18, 2012. Retrieved from: http://www.policymic.com/articles/7120/post-9-11-gi-bill-allows-for-profit-colleges-to-take-advantage-of-veterans/headline_story

[24] Veterans for Common Sense. SVA Revokes Sham chapter at 40 For-Profit Schools. April 5, 2012. Retrieved from: http://veteransforcommonsense.org/2012/04/09/sva-revokes-sham-chapters-at-40-for-profit-schools/

[25] Retrieved from: http://abcnews.go.com/Business/president-obama-signs-executive-order-protecting-veterans-inundated/story?id=16219870&page=2

[26] House Committee on Veterans Affairs. Witness Testimony of Mr. Michael Dakduk. Hearing on 5/16/2012: Examining Executive Order #13607 and Its Impact on Schools and Veterans. Retrieved from: https://veterans.house.gov/witness-testimony/mr-michael-dakduk

[27] APSCU Announces Formation of Blue Ribbon Taskforce for Military and Veterans Education. November 9, 2012. Retrieved from: http://www.career.org/news-and-media/press-releases/apscu-announces-formation-blue-ribbon-taskforce.cfm

[28] American Legion. For-profit schools defend themselves. August 24, 2012. http://www.legion.org/convention/211788/profit-schools-defend-themselves

[29] Retrieved from: http://news.unlv.edu/release/unlv-named-military-friendly-campus-gi-jobs-magazine

[30] Retrieved from: http://veterans.house.gov/witness-testimony/mr-michael-dakduk-1

[31] Date accessed: November 23, 2013. Retrieved from: http://studentveterans.tumblr.com/post/53366593467/sva-travels-florida-meeting-vfw-stuvets-stakeholders

[32] Retrieved from: http://news.unlv.edu/release/combat-college-unlv-stepping-services-assist-veterans-military-members

[33] Retrieved from: http://veterans.house.gov/witness-testimony/mr-michael-dakduk-2

[34] Hassan, Chris.(2013). Obama Lays Out 8-Step Plan Toward Veteran Success. U.S. New & World Report University Connection. August 14, 2013. Retrieved from: http://www.usnewsuniversitydirectory.com/articles/obama-lays-out-8-step-plan-toward-veteran-success_13323.aspx#.UrI5OPRDtu4

[35] Retrieved from: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/davidhalperin/obama-for-profit-college_b_3810064.html?utm_hp_ref=tw

[36] Retrieved from: http://news.unlv.edu/release/combat-college-unlv-stepping-services-assist-veterans-military-members

[37] Student Veterans of America. SVA Welcomes New Executive Director. September 29, 2013. Retrieved from website: http://www.studentveterans.org/media-news/press-releases/185-sva-welcomes-new-executive-director.html

[38] Retrieved from: http://studentveterans.tumblr.com/post/65459439494/dakduk-steps-down-as-director-of-sva

[39] Dakduk, Michael.(2013). Serving Veterans: Why hundreds of thousands of veterans, service members and their families flock to career colleges. Career College Central: Military Edition. November, 2013. Retrieved from: http://www.careercollegecentral.com/pdf/ccc-november-2013.pdf

[40] Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities. Student Veteran Leader Joins APSCU as Vice President of Military and Veterans Affairs. November 5, 2013. Retrieved from: http://www.career.org/news-and-media/press-releases/sva-leader-joins-apscu-vp-military-veterans-affairs.cfm

[41] Stratford, Michael.(2013). Change of Heart on For-Profits. Inside Higher Ed. November 8, 2013. Retrieved from: http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2013/11/08/veterans-advocate-changes-jobs-and-positions#ixzz2nsUIytsF

[42] Ibid

Friday, December 13, 2013

Michael Dakduk, Student Veterans of America & the Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities: The Evolution of Student Veterans of America

Michael Dakduk, Student Veterans of America & the Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities: The Evolution of Student Veterans of America

In January 2008, as part of a grassroots movement members from various campus student veteran organizations came together at a meeting in Chicago and Student Veterans of America was born.

The original goal of SVA was to provide programs, resources, and support to the ever-evolving network of local student veteran organizations. Concurrently, SVA and a number of Veteran Service Organizations were tirelessly advocating for an overhaul of the G.I. Bill to address the needs of the 21st Century student veteran. One month following the first national SVA conference in Washington, DC and six months after SVA's founding, President George W. Bush signed into law the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill.

Since SVA’s founding in 2008, SVA’s presence at the local and national levels has grown to include over 950 chapter affiliates, numerous private and nonprofit partners, and most importantly, an expanding list of programs and services for veterans. Additionally, since 2008, SVA’s annual revenue and support has grown to over $1.2 million in 2011 and an estimated $1.5 million in 2012 (2012 IRS Form 990 had not been publicly released by SVA as of this blog post). To that end, SVA’s stated vision is that “all veterans will succeed in higher education, achieve their academic goals and gain meaningful employment. To provide greater context to the history of SVA the following timeline chronicles the organization’s humble and at times turbulent beginnings to where they stand as an organization nearly 6 years later:

January 11-12, 2008: 60 student veterans from approximately 20 universities representing 13 states meet to form a national organization, the Student Veterans of America (SVA) at the 1^st SVA conference held in Chicago, Ill. Derek Blumke is named President, Elizabeth O'Herrin is named Executive Director, Anthony Allman and Luke Stalcup are named as the remaining board members. Additionally, 5 Regional Directors are named. Notable quotes from the event: “As part of its core mission SVA is committed to placing student veterans' resource offices or coordinators on college campuses. Their goal is to address the issues facing student veterans. Student Veterans of America is beginning, through grassroots efforts by student veterans, to advocate for much needed changes to current policies dealing with the education of veterans. In the future SVA will continue to advocate on and off campus, and assist universities in providing adequate resources and programs for veterans.”[1]

January 23, 2008: Student Veterans of America is officially incorporated as a non-profit organization in the state of Michigan. Unbeknownst to the SVA membership the organization was filed as a non-membership organization in which SVA “members” or member chapters had no voting rights in non-profit affairs of the organization they helped found.[2]

June 11-13, 2008: 1^st SVA National Conference is held in Washington, DC. Kevin Blanchard is elected Vice President, Russell Silver is name Secretary and John Powers is named Executive Director. As part of the conference weekend SVA members lobby legislator’s in support of passage of the Post 9/11 GI Bill By late 2008 SVA had become an approved 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and designed a very locally-focused, decentralized leadership model. It was straightforward, easy to understand, and bred a meritocracy within the SVA ranks. Local chapter leaders answered to, and received direction from State Directors who in turn took their guidance from a Regional Director who oversaw one of five regions each composed of ten states and answered to the President and national leadership of SVA.[3]

August 28, 2008: then-SVA Northeast Regional Director John Powers named SVA Director of Outreach.

September 1, 2008: After accepting a position with the American Council on Education Elizabeth O’Herrin resigns as Executive Director of SVA. She is succeeded by then-Western Regional Director Nathaniel Donnelly.

October 2008: Nathaniel Donnelly resigns as Student Veterans of America Executive Director. John Powers named Executive Director.

February 2009: SVA Board of Directors members Anthony Allman and Luke Stalcup unsuccessfully attempt to amend SVA bylaws pertaining to removal of board members.

February 2009: Anthony Allman is removed from the SVA Board of Directors.

April 17-19, 2009: 2nd Annual Student Veterans of America Conference held in San Francisco, CA. Derek Blumke is re-elected as President, Michael Dakduk is elected Vice President and Marello Harris is elected Secretary. Consequently, all are appointed or re-appointed to the SVA Board of Directors.

May 2009: John Powers resigns as Executive Director and succeeded by acting president and board member Derek Blumke.

July 2009: Russell Silver resigns as SVA secretary after publicly disagreeing with John Powers being fired as Executive Director. Marello Harris is named SVA secretary.

March 2010: The 3rd Annual SVA conference scheduled for April 22-25th is cancelled roughly one month before the event was to be held at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. It is widely believed that the conference was abruptly cancelled as a result of fear among the SVA Board of Directors that candidates running under the SVA reform platform campaign would win their respective election races subsequently ousting incumbents such as Derek Blumke from power.

October 1-4th, 2010: The 3rd Annual SVA national conference is held at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. Among the Conference’s sponsors is DeVry University a for-profit institution of higher education. Further, in a closed door meeting involving members of the SVA Board of Directors, DeVry University veteran and military recruitment staff member is taken to task by SVA state leadership regarding substantiated complaints by a DeVry student veteran for its lack of promised support to veterans at one of its satellite locations that is inconsistent with their stated and published recruitment claims. Nevertheless, the SVA Board of Directors is dismissive of the matter citing the lack of an expressed written contract. Additionally, Michael Campbell is named SVA’s second president, Jeremy Glasstetter named Vice President and Dan Sewell is named Secretary. However, it would mark the first time in SVA history that national officers elected by students are not appointed to the SVA board of directors.[4],[5]

October 2010: SVA board of directors endorses passage of S.3447: Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2010 despite opposition and warnings of unintended consequences among SVA chapters, student veterans as well as state and regional directors. Once signed into law, S.3447 would: 1) Increase access to Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits to those who were otherwise not entitled, like National Guard members activated under Title 32 and non-degree seeking students interested in flight school or correspondence classes, 2) active duty members and spouses will receive the $1000 a year book stipend, 3) Gives students using Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits the choice to elect the sometimes more generous living stipend of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, 4) Allows reimbursement for tests used for admission into college (SAT, ACT, GMAT, LSAT) and 5) Students taking only online classes will receive a housing allowance half the national average, at $673 a month if 100 percent qualified (36 months of active duty time). However, S.3447 as written would eliminate break pay between the fall and spring semesters as a means to help pay for the aforementioned students to use benefits. Although Post 9/11 GI Bill benefit recipients understood this compromise as written, it faced opposition from many SVA chapters, student veterans as well as regional and state directors since break pay eased the burden to pay rent and in many cases support families between semesters. Further, with knowledge of the August 2010 GAO report in which undercover tests at 15 for-profit colleges found that 4 colleges encouraged fraudulent practices and that all 15 made deceptive or otherwise questionable statements to GAO’s undercover applicants and that the majority of programs offering online only classes are operated by said institutions, several SVA leaders at the state level opposed the measure providing eligible students taking only online classes a housing allowance as written. Moreover, the SVA Board of Directors ignored warnings by the aforementioned state level SVA leadership that without provisions to help enforce state and federal laws protecting beneficiaries the measure as written would encourage fraud and predatory recruitment by unscrupulous institutions seeking to profiteer of the Post 9/11 GI Bill and unsuspecting beneficiaries with the disadvantage of asymmetric information. To remedy this, said state leadership proposed adding an amendment to S.3447 that would provide additional funding to state approving agencies in all 50 states to ensure the necessary resources for adequate enforcement of federal and state consumer protection laws covered under U.S. Code Title 38 Section 36.96: Limitation on Certain Advertising, Sales and Enrollment Practices.[6],[7],[8],[9]

November 2010: Former Vice President, Michael Dakduk named Executive Director

December 2010: Approximately two months into his tenure, President Michael Campbell abruptly resigns, and Jeremy Glasstetter is named President. It is widely believed that Michael Campbell was forced to resign by the SVA Board of Directors after continued disagreements over the direction of the organization.

February 2011: During a SVA membership conference call Executive Director publicly acknowledges for the first time in 3 years that SVA is registered as a non-membership 501c (3) organization in which SVA “members” or member chapters have no voting rights in non-profit affairs of the organization.

April 2011: Rapid growth would exceed the organization’s capacity to offer optimal support to chapters and SVA's leadership felt that was unacceptable. In response, SVA dedicated itself to organizational restructuring and program maturation with support from the Bridgespan Group as part of a grant funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The end goal of this process was to have a flexible, efficient operational model that will ensure SVA’s programs and resources have maximum impact in the lives of student veterans. As a result, the decision was made to eliminate all state and regional leadership in favor of one Student Council composed of six students including the President and Vice President. This was understandably a highly controversial move that some student veterans felt left them disenfranchised and disconnected from the national leadership.[10],[11]

June 2-5^th, 2011: SVA hosts first national leadership summit at University of Wisconsin-Madison.[12]

August 3, 2011: Mike Dakduk expresses concerns that budget hawks seeking to reduce federal spending will flail the Post 9/11 GI Bill.[13]

August 25, 2011: Major General Michael Lehnert (Ret) joins Student Veterans of America Board of Directors.

September 1, 2011: SVA post tweet referring to helpful tips from our friends at GIBill.com operated by then-APSCU member QuinStreet Inc., that in June 2012 was ordered to be shut down and turned over to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (see below). Additionally, Quinstreet Inc., agreed to pay a $2.5 million fine and to provide better disclosures on its multiple marketing websites that target veterans and active duty military. The investigation of Quinstreet, Inc., included a review of 8,000 emails to QuinStreet through the GIBill.com site, many of which came from veterans who thought they were communicating with government officials.

September 19, 2011: Via Twitter SVA references mother jones article that more than 60 percent of military students ultimately default on their loans at for-profit schools.

September 22, 2011: Via Twitter SVA echoes Senators concerns over rise of GI Bill funds going to for-profit colleges

September 22, 2011: Via Twitter SVA posts link to Holly Petreaus’ NY Times article on For-Profit schools

September 23, 2011: Mike Dakduk speaks on behalf of disabled student veteran who alleges college kicked him out over combat service connected disability.[14]

October 12, 2011: SVA awarded Gates foundation Grant[15]

November 4, 2011: Via twitter SVA comments on correct to Harkin Report. Reference APSCU claims that of negative publicity blanket for entire sector.[16]

November 15, 2011: SVA quotes GIBill.com article “With Right Help. Military Student May Outperform Civilian Peers.”

November 23, 2011: Dr. Lynda Davis and Dan Grant announced as new appointees to the SVA Board of Directors

February 6, 2012: Via Twitter First call for current SVA chapters to sign up and re-register on new SVA website

February 16, 2012: Via Twitter SVA mentions “need to re-register chapters”

February 17, 2012: SVA re-tweets a Mission Continues tweet mentioning bill introduced to close loophole allowing for profit colleges to take advantage of veterans

February 26, 2012: SVA tweets “Minnesota’s attorney general is investigating for-profit college recruiting of military veterans.”[17]

March 2, 2012: Via Twitter SVA mentions Chronicle of Higher Education article “Senator Mull Changes in 90/10 Rule to Rein in For-Profits.[18]

March 5, 2012: SVA re-tweets “Senators want GI Bill trademarked”

March 7, 2012: Via Twitter SVA cites Inside Higher Ed article that shows “unregulated for-profits receive big chunk of military spouse tuition aid.”[19]

March 9, 2012: SVA re-tweets Military Times article “Webb: Limit GI Bill at for-profit schools”[20]

March 10, 2012: Via Twitter SVA references Federal New Radio report “How common are government trademarks? which highlights press release by Senator Barbara Boxer calling for trademarking the phrase GI Bill as a means to address predatory recruitment and false advertising that targets prospective students.[21]

March 21, 2012: On Twitter feed, SVA announces re-launch of Chapter Map

March 27, 2012: Via twitter feed and statement to Senator Patty Murray, SVA supports GI Bill Consumer Awareness Act of 2012[22]

March 28, 2012: Via Twitter SVA announces support of Senator Jim Webb’s legislation to protect the Post 9/11 GI Bill

April 5, 2012: Student Veterans of America initially reports suspending 40 of its chapters at for-profit colleges for improperly promoting the universities and not being sufficiently student-run. AP says that the “essentially fake SVA chapters” helped the schools get onto lists of “military friendly” or “veterans friendly” colleges.[23]

April 6, 2012: On Twitter feed, SVA reiterates support for GI Bill Consumer Awareness Act.[24]

April 18, 2012: Michael Dakduk writes editorial Post 9/11 GI Bill Allow For-Profit Colleges to Take Advantage of Veterans[25]

April 26, 2012: Student Veterans of America publicly names 26 of 40 suspended chapters. Reinstates 14 chapters initially suspended. SVA indicated they have 35 for-profit-college chapters in good standing, including the 14 that were reinstated. This would suggest that 40 percent (26/61) of for-profit college chapters were set up as “shell organizations to help them appeal to veteran students who carry lucrative government tuition benefits.” In a statement, Steve Gunderson, President of the Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities, said officials there were unaware of any problems with members’ SVA chapters before the announcement. "Obviously, we take our commitments to and our service for veterans very seriously," he said. "Once we learn of the specific schools, we will reach out to them to determine if there are misunderstandings or problems that can be resolved.[26]

April 26, 2012: SVA applauds President’s EO. Half of 26 chapters that SVA revoked charter membership were owned by the: Education Management Corporation.[27]

April 27, 2012: Via Twitter SVA claims to be leading on for-profit fight.[28]

April 28, 2012: SVA tweets “Quality at for profit colleges vary widely”

April 30, 2012: ABC News profile’s SVA Executive Director Michael Dakduk in article “U.S. Veterans Targeted by Marketers in College Selection Process”[29]

May 8, 2012: Colonel David Sutherland (Ret.) joins SVA Board of Directors

May 14, 2012: SVA re-tweets USA Today Article “Veterans are not dollar signs in uniform”[30]

June 6, 2012: SVA tweets “Schools cooperating with new order, VA says”[31]

June 27, 2012: Via SVA Twitter account states “SVA at the AG settlement with @GIBill_info. “This company preyed on our #Veterans who received ed benefits.””

July 2, 2012: SVA publicly refutes NBC News Article stating 88% of vets drop out in the first year and only 3% graduate. No numbers currently exist on Post 9/11 Student Vets.[32]

July 6, 2012: Twitter post SVA Leaders Respond to recent Criticisms of VA Secretary Eric Shinseki stating “We offer solutions, not empty criticisms.”

July 12, 2012: Via Twitter SVA highlights that Ashford University loses the academic accreditation with more that 50% of students dropping out.

July 16, 2012: Executive Director Michael Dakduk visits Chapter leaders and University President at ECPIU, a for-profit university.

July 16, 2012: SVA tweet quotes Minneapolis Star Tribune op-ed by for-profit professor, “The reality in higher education is that profit or non-for-profit status is no guarantee of quality.”[33]

July 16, 2012: SVA tweets “Backlash builds as for-profit schools rake in GI Bill funds” while post link for LA Times article “Anger grows over GI Bill profiteers”[34]

July 16-17, 2012: SVA partners with Google to host Google Student Veteran Summit

July 20-22, 2012: SVA partners with Google to host SVA Leadership Institute in Mountain View, California

July 30, 2012: Via Twitter SVA quotes Senate HELP committee report “For-Profit Colleges Leave Students “with debt but no degree”[35]

August 24, 2012: Michael Dakduk participates in a roundtable discussion along with representatives from APSCU and their member institutions on the Treatment of military veterans by for-profit colleges and universities at the 2012 American Legion Convention. Dakduk scapegoats the media for “influencing public and political opinion of veterans’ education” as it relates to the for-profit sector and states that “I think this (roundtable) is a testament to what key players are really doing.” These comments were apparently made in light for-profit representatives’ vehement criticism of the Senate HELP committee report on for-profit higher education and ensure student success led the Senator Tom Harkin, in particular, Suzanne Palmer of the Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities. [36]

August 28, 2012: An SVA tweet “A difference perspective: Graduates of for-profit Colleges Fare About the Same in Earnings Study” grossly misquotes a National Bureau of Economic Research study referred to a in a Chronicle of Higher Education article. The study states, among those entering certificate programs, we find no benefit of receiving a certificate from any type of institution. However, SVA omits the following study findings: 1) Income in 2009 was approximately $5500 lower for students starting certificate programs at for-profit institutions than for students starting at not-for-profit/public institutions, statistically significant at the.01 level. 2) Income in 2009 was approximately $3000 less for students starting associate degree programs at for-profit institutions than those starting in not-for-profit/public institutions, statistically significant at the .05 significance level. 3) Students who obtain certificates/degrees from a public or not-for-profit institution receive a large wage premium.4) There is no evidence that students gain from obtaining any certificate or degree from a for-profit institution and 5) Dropouts from associates’ degree programs do worse if they started at a for-profit school.[37]

November 16, 2012: Google names the Institute for Veterans and Military Families, Student Veterans of America, the Posse Foundation and Veterans of Foreign Wars as recipients of a $3.2 million Global Impact Award to support data analysis of U.S. veterans’ higher education. The study will be made public and answer critical questions: 1) Which colleges are most successful at supporting veterans through to graduation day? 2) What on-campus programs have the biggest impact? 3) How do veterans’ education majors stack up against employment opportunities?[38]

January 2013: HSC Foundation awards Student Veterans of America a grant to assume the management and operation of the National Veterans Center (NVC)[39]

January 4, 2013: Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Eric K. Shinseki announced a major collaboration between Student Veterans of America (SVA), the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC), and the VA designed to track the success of student veterans at a national level.[40]

January 4, 2013: SVA tweets Lack of information on for-profit schools, contributes to misconceptions, feeds into partisan issues according to media panel during 2013 National Convention.

March 2, 2013: SVA announces 750^th chapter.

April 10, 2013: Executive Director Michael Dakduk testifies before House Committee on Veterans Affairs regarding GI Bill Tuition Fairness Act of 2013.[41]

May 7: Via Twitter SVA announces launch of Summer Ambassador program

June 20, 2013: SVA executive director Michael Dakduk came before the House Veterans Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity June 20^th to testify on the importance of tracking student veteran success rates, and to share best practices he has seen throughout his travels to over 150 college and university campuses.[42]

July 1, 2013: SVA announces 850^th chapter.

August 25, 2013: Via twitter SVA misquotes President of the United States. POTUS asked about bad actors-says problems are across the board not just in for profits.[43]

September 18, 2013: Student Veterans of America (SVA) and Kognito Interactive today announced a partnership to provide institutions of higher education with a suite of online, skill-building simulations that prepare faculty, staff, and student veterans to recognize and address challenges that student veterans may face as they transition from military to college life. These challenges include social isolation, cultural disparities, academic difficulties, and mental-health issues such as post-deployment stress disorder (PTSD), depression, thoughts of suicide, and traumatic brain injury (TBI).[44]

September 30, 2013: D. Wayne Robinson named the 4^th Executive Director of Student Veterans of America.

November 5, 2013: Current executive director D. Wayne Robinson issues the following response to the announcement that Mike Dakduk will be working with the Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities (APSCU) as the Vice President of Military and Veterans Affairs: “SVA has always maintained that there are good and bad actors across the spectrum of higher education. Having earned my undergraduate degree from Trident University, a private for-profit institution will continue to approach our relationship with APSCU with the same expectations and standards we have for other organizations in the higher education space, such as the American Council on Education. SVA maintains its support of closing the 90/10 loophole, thus removing the financial incentive for for-profits to heavily recruit veterans and military personnel. To ensure the organization's own transparency and accountability, SVA does not accept donations, grants, or any sort of financial incentive from for-profit institutions.”

November 11, 2013: SVA announces the Vet Center Initiative partnership with Home Depot that will award $100,000 consisting of 5-10 grants ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 to chapters for the purpose of renovating – or building – a veteran resource center on their campus.[45]