A snapshot of who we served, how students engaged, and what they told us about their experience.
Who Makes Up Our Community
This spring, the University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign continued to be home to a diverse and growing military‑connected community. Students represented multiple service pathways and identities, each bringing unique strengths and lived experiences to campus.
- Veterans — 307
- National Guard — 179
- Dependents — 409
- ROTC cadets — 117
- Students with military affiliation not yet confirmed — 94
These students span undergraduate, graduate, and online programs, with many pursuing service‑oriented fields and flexible degree pathways that align with their responsibilities and goals.
The Center’s Impact This Semester
Across Spring 2026, the Chez Veterans Center provided 787 individualized service interactions with military‑connected students. Students continued to engage deeply with practitioners, seeking support across academic, financial, social, and transitional domains.
Universal Engagement
This semester, the CVC achieved 100% engagement with all identified Veterans and National Guard/Reserve students in undergraduate programs — demonstrating the Center’s proactive, relationship‑based approach and its role as a consistent point of connection for students navigating complex transitions.
Breakdown of Support Areas
- Academic success — 75
- Career & professional development — 13
- Financial aid & military benefits — 94
- Residential programs — 23
- Transitional & social support — 65
Students continued to rely on the CVC as a hub for navigating systems, building community, and planning their next steps.
What Students Told Us
This semester, we invited students to share feedback on their experience with the CVC. Their responses highlighted several consistent themes:
- A strong sense of belonging and connection within the CVC community
- Feeling that the CVC is helpful for next steps related to career planning, graduate school, and transition
- Appreciation for accessible, supportive services and programs
- Recognition of staff as approachable, knowledgeable, and invested in their success
These insights reinforce the Center’s role as a trusted, student‑centered resource for military‑connected students navigating academic and life transitions.