%0 Journal Article
%T The Use of University Services and Student Retention: Differential Links for Student Service Members or Veterans and Civilian Students
%A Adam E. Barry
%A Kenona H. Southwell
%A Shawn D. Whiteman
%A Shelley M. MacDermid Wadsworth
%J Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice
%@ 1541-4167
%D 2018
%R 10.1177/1521025116636133
%X Grounded in research and theory on college student retention, this study assessed differences in the use of various university services and the influence of key personnel on retention-related outcomes of student service members or veterans (SSM/Vs) compared with civilian students. Participants included 386 students, 199 (154 male, 45 female) of which were SSM/Vs and 187 (87 male, 100 female) were civilian students. Data were collected via electronic survey. Analyses revealed that civilian students visited advisors and faculty more frequently than SSM/Vs; no differences were evident for visits to registrars¡¯ offices, financial aid offices, or student organizations. Visits to advisors and faculty were positively related to SSM/Vs¡¯ expectations for degree completion and perception of university environment, yet unrelated to civilian students¡¯ outcomes. Overall, this work suggests that university officials should invest in educating the personnel who are most influential in SSM/Vs outcomes about the unique needs of student veterans
%K student service members or veterans
%K student retention
%K university offices
%K academic persistence
%K university environment
%K higher education
%U https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1521025116636133