By Madison Lawson and Kiley Martinez
Eastern New Mexico University hosts a vast number of organizations for its students to find community with.
One such group, the Student Veterans Organization, is designed for students with any affiliation with any branch of the military.
The Student Veterans Organization is a group dedicated to helping student veterans and their families through their time at ENMU in any way possible.
“Say you’re coming to college and you’re brand new, and you don’t know your way around and your most comfortable with somebody else who’s affiliated with the military,” said Schneider. “We’ll make ourselves available to you to give you tours, to help you with your homework, to figure out canvas.”
Before COVID shook the entire world, Dr. Bob Schneider, Interim Dean for the College of Business, says he transitioned the organization into a program that mimics the buddy system, rather than an organization that focuses primarily on community service.
“The priority now is… support.” Schneider said. “And you know, as you’re here a little bit longer, you’re the one giving the support instead of just getting the support, kind of a buddy thing, which most military folks are familiar with.”
The organization’s primary goals are to try and support these students who are navigating their journey, finding what opportunities they have access to. The organization is designed to support these specific students in any way they can but can only help those who are willing to ask for help.
As of January of 2022, approximately 130 students who attend ENMU are affiliated with the U.S. military in some way. This number includes not only those who have at one point been in the service themselves, but also those whose parents and sometimes grandparents who committed part of their lives to the U.S. Military.
Schneider is retired from the Army, where he served as a first sergeant. He advises the organization alongside Timothy Winrow, who is an instructor of Accounting at ENMU.
Students who think they might be eligible and who are interested in joining the Student Veterans Organization should contact Dr. Bob Schneider at 575.562.2343 or bob.schneider@enmu.edu