Learn, grow, and continue building a foundation of success.
You thrive on task and purpose. Apply it here. The team at the Chez Veterans Center (CVC) helps you build a tailored educational strategy that supports your academic needs. Whether it’s providing you with access to computer labs and technologies, connecting you with tutors or peer mentors, academic coaching, or writing assistance, we have you covered.
Academic Resources at the CVC and on Campus
Computer Labs and Study Areas
The Chez Veterans Center has two main computer labs that have free printing and are available to military-connected students that are registered with the center. The computers are installed with software and devices undergrads would need for their coursework such as the Microsoft Office suite, statistical programs, dictation software and webcams. Each lab also has an engineering workstation for students majoring in engineering and a large TV screen to practice presentations. The computer lab on the first floor is located in room 1018 and the computer lab on the second floor is located in room 2004. In addition, there are numerous spaces around the center that can be utilized as quiet study areas or as spaces for team projects that have dry erase boards that students can physically recreate their visual brainstorming.
Tutoring
The Chez Veterans Center uses a three-pronged process to finding military-connected students a tutor. First, we reach out to the Illini Veterans who are a Registered Student Organization on campus and a chartered group of the Student Veterans of America to see if they have a member that is highly skilled in the individual course and is willing to volunteer their time. If so, the center offers numerous study areas that can be utilized for tutoring sessions. Secondly, we work with the Office of Minority Student Affairs (OMSA) as they can also provide free tutoring services for many of the courses offered on campus. OMSA offers both matched and drop-in tutoring services. If a student is still unable to find a tutor, Dr. Lange will work with their department on getting a list of paid tutors. In accordance, if a veteran that is currently using the GiBill through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) they rate up to $1,200 per academic year to pay for assistance and they will need to get their tutor, their professor and the schools certifying VA official to sign-off on the request.
Academic Coaching
What is academic coaching you may ask? Coaching is a mechanism by which we work with students on academic issues that may be preventing them from reaching their academic goals. Working one-on-one, coaches offer structure, accountability, skill building, and encouragement to students working to improve in a variety of areas. Coaching has been shown to improve retention and specifically at the Chez Veterans Center and at the Disability Resources & Educational Services on campus. We utilize a technique called motivational interviewing to facilitate student insights into their approach to school and how they can make changes to be more efficient and more satisfied with their college experience.
Illinois Writers Workshops
The Writers Workshop supports all writers in the campus community across all forms of academic and professional writing, at any stage of the writing process. They offer writing groups, writing-related presentations, and writing consultations on where they provide feedback on essays, research papers, personal statements, cover letters, theses and dissertations, manuscripts for publication, presentations, digital compositions, and anything between and beyond. Dr. Lange is also available to write letters of recommendations (LOR) for both graduate school and potential jobs/internships if he feels comfortable with knowing you and your experiences.