Late Spring Newsletter

As April finishes up and we approach May, the Office of Student Veterans extends warm regards to you all!

As another semester begins to wrap up, we're thrilled to announce several exciting events on the horizon. First, mark your calendars for the upcoming Krafthouse Happy Hour TOMORROW. Stay tuned for further details on the Chapel Climb/graduation cord handout event, which promises to be a memorable experience. Read on for more information on the two new graduate assistants who will be working with the Office of Student Veterans. And finally, keep an eye out on your email for a survey focused on our community's transition to Duke University.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, remember that our office is here for you. Your well-being and success are our top priorities.

Warm regards,
The Duke Office of Student Veterans

S. Clay Adams, Assistant Vice President
Grace Sullivan Zirkle, Associate Director
Dalton Dey, Assistant Director
Beautiful Reed, Graduate Assistant

Chandler Cole, Graduate Assistant

Chase Pikarsky, Graduate Assistant

Spring Semester Upcoming Events

Happy Hour at the Krafthouse - April 29th, 2024

Chapel Climb and Graduation Cords - May 6th, 2024

Transition and Belonging Survey - Closes May 10th, 2024

Happy Hour at the Krafthouse

The Office of Student Veterans will be holding another Happy Hour at the Krafthouse located within the Brodhead Center on West Campus Monday, April 29th from 1600-1800. This is a great opportunity to meet and build rapport with others in our community. Appetizers will be provided by the Office of Student Veterans. Drinks are available for purchase.

Spring Semester Chapel Climb

The Duke Office of Student Veterans will be hosting a Duke Chapel Tower Climb on Monday, May 6th from 1100 to 1400. Drop by for the opportunity to climb to the top of the Duke Chapel tower. Climbs will happen every half hour with the last climb beginning at 1100. There will be food and refreshments provided as you wait your turn to climb.

Student veterans are welcome to bring a guest, but they must be sixteen years of age or older. All participants must wear close-toed shoes and will be required to fill out a waiver on-site. We encourage participants to view the waiver ahead of time here.

We will also have graduation cords available for those graduating this semester in attendance.

Graduation Cords

If you are graduating but cannot attend and would like to request a graduation cord, please email the Office of Student Veterans. Remote students can send us an address where they would like your cord mailed. For local students, we will work with you to coordinate another time on campus to give you your cord.

New OSV Graduate Assistants - Chandler Cole and Chase Pikarsky

The Office of Student Veterans is excited to announce the addition of two new Graduate Assistants to our team!

Chandler Cole

Chandler Cole is a Graduate Assistant in the Office of Student Veterans. She is an Army Veteran and 3rd year law student here at Duke. In the Army, Chandler served as an Engineer Officer; she is Sapper-tabbed and completed two overseas tours, including a deployment to Syria as a Route Clearance Platoon Leader in 2018.

Chandler graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Philosophy from the United States Military Academy at West Point. She has a dog (Jovi) and cat (Monica) and enjoys rugby, sewing, and painting. One day, she hopes to be on Survivor.

Chase Pikarsky

Chase Pikarsky, hailing from North Carolina, serves as a Graduate Assistant in the Office of Student Veterans while simultaneously fulfilling duties as an Intelligence Specialist in the Navy Reserves. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Western Carolina University and is currently immersed in the study of Philosophy within Duke's Graduate Liberal Studies program. In his leisure time, he embraces his roots by fostering animals and relishing in the delights of bubble tea.

WELCOME CHANDLER AND CHASE!!

OSV Transition Survey

The Office of Student Veterans is surveying Duke's military-affiliated community to better understand how our community transitions to, and is a part of, the broader Duke community. This survey will allow us to understand current student perspectives and make Duke a more welcoming and inclusive community in the future.

It is important to note that your responses are confidential and no individually identifiable information will be shared. The Student Affairs Office of Assessment team will work on this project and report the information in a combined, aggregate format to the Office of Student Veterans.

A unique link will be sent directly to your email; please do not share or forward it to anyone else. The survey will remain open until 5 p.m. on Friday, May 10. If you do not receive the direct link or have any questions about the survey in general, please do not hesitate to reach out to our office.

GI Bill Tutoring Benefit

Students can receive tutoring as a GI bill benefit if the student is:

Enrolled in an educational program for half-time or more,
Using the Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606), Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (Chapter 30), Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33), or the Dependents’ Educational Assistance (Chapter 35) benefit
Having trouble in a required subject and needs a tutor

Students can be reimbursed by the GI Bill for up to $100 a month and a total of $1,200.

The course instructor (or teacher) must agree the student needs a tutor and write a letter on their behalf.

Ways to Connect

Office of Student Veterans: veterans@studentaffairs.duke.edu

VA Education Benefits Coordinator in the Office of the University Registrar: veteranseducation@duke.edu