IVMF holds Dec. 11 panel on promise of Post-9/11 GI Bill, empowering 'Next Greatest Generation'

Leading voices to gather at National Press Club to present candid views, inform and shape national dialogue on bill's programmatic outcomes

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Tuesday, Dec. 11 in Washington, D.C., the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University (IVMF) will bring together leading voices in the veterans' community, government, higher education and private industry for a broad and far-reaching dialogue on contemporary realities facing stakeholders in support of programmatic outcomes of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. 

Commonly referred to as the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the act is one of the most generous education benefits offered to the nation's veterans since the end of World War II. "Empowering the Next Greatest Generation: Considering the Promise of the Post-9/11 GI Bill" will present a candid and informative discussion to explore the bill's implementation and impact on veteran education. Panelists will shape national discussion around this important issue, helping to develop recommendations and plans of action for policymakers, government officials, higher education and private industry. The event is being held in collaboration with SU in DC/Greenberg House and Got Your Six.

"The IVMF is placing its stake in the ground on issues related to veterans and higher education. With this event, we hope to steer national dialogue on the Post-9/11 GI Bill to ensure that it is the singular most important education benefit offering our nation's veterans the highest quality opportunities throughout the course of their post-service life," says IVMF executive director and founder Mike Haynie, a U.S. Air Force veteran and Barnes Professor of Entrepreneurship at SU's Whitman School of Management. 

"Over the past four years, veterans and their families have taken advantage of the bill at increasing rates; last year alone, more than $8 billion in tuition payments flowed from the federal government to America's colleges and universities on behalf of program participants," says Haynie. "By this measure, the program has been extremely successful; however, some have argued that when considered in light of extant outcomes, such as college selectivity and persistence to graduation, the promise of the bill remains an open question. It is imperative that stakeholders to the Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Improvements Act collaboratively consider how the nation's veterans, their families and society as a whole can realize the promise of the Post-9/11 GI Bill given existing approaches to administration, implementation and oversight."

The event will be held in the 13th Floor Ballroom of The National Press Club, 529 14th Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20045. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m., with opening remarks at 8 a.m. from Haynie and a special guest from the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Panel participants include:

• Ms. Maureen Casey, Managing Director, Military & Veterans Affairs, JPMorgan Chase
• Mr. Curtis Coy, Deputy Under Secretary, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
• Mr. Michael Dakduk, Executive Director, Student Veterans of America
• Ms. Meg Mitcham, Director, Veterans Programs, American Council on Education
• VADM Robert Murrett (U.S. Navy, Ret.), Deputy Director, Institute for National Security and Counterterrorism, Maxwell School, Syracuse University
• Mr. James Wright, President Emeritus, Dartmouth College

In addition, a series of noteworthy announcements related to veterans and education will be made at the event; further details will be relayed that day. Click here to register.

The event will be live streamed here. Join the conversation that morning by Tweeting with @IVMFSyracuseU and @SUinDC, and include the event's live hash tag #IVMFNextGreatGen.

For event information, contact Ray Toenniessen, IVMF director of new initiatives and external relations, 315-443-0256 or Scott McDowell, executive director of regional strategic communications, SU Regional Offices, 212-826-1449 or [email protected]. 

Members of the media are invited to attend and must contact Jaime Alvarez, IVMF director of communications, 315-443-0177 office, 315-558-7875 mobile or [email protected].

SOURCE Institute for Veterans and Military Families