Veterans Services is a growing functional area that plays a key role in the experiences of service members and their families.
Military-connected students arrive on campus with unique leadership and problem-solving skills which are often misunderstood by their faculty and peers. Proper support can help these students navigate questions about GI Bill funding and how to share their service story with others, as well as provide community and appreciation for their sacrifices.
Liam Gale is the Program Administrator for Student Veteran Success at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Check out what he has to say about supporting military-connected students.
What drew you to higher education specifically, rather than a similar role in another sector?
I actually never considered higher education as a career path. I was a stay at home dad for about 9 months after graduating from Simmons University with my Masters in Social Work. As I was getting ready to reenter the workforce, I saw that MIT was hiring for this position and I learned that this is a new office and role within the community. I’ve worked with veterans across non-profit, local, and state agencies, so I wanted to find a way to continue working with this population as I am a veteran.
What would break, slow down, or fall through the cracks if your position didn't exist?
Being an “office of one” is rewarding, exciting, and challenging at the same time. I would say that the connections I’ve built with the military-affiliated community is something that cannot be replicated overnight. Examples: knowing where someone is from and their personal responsibilities that affect academics, different communication styles with student veterans leadership, or navigating systems and processes, and the relationships I’ve built with external partners.
What's something people outside your office frequently misunderstand about what you do?
Some think I work in financial services or admissions since I am involved with these areas of MIT. I am in frequent communication with these and other support offices since student veterans intersect with all areas of the institute, so having these connections is extremely important.
Describe a moment when your role directly changed a student's trajectory.
I had a discussion with an older undergraduate student about his academic plan, funding, and concerns related to performance in the classroom. One of the questions he asked me was how I balanced my professional life with the demands of my family. I was able to share some insight into my own life and how being a parent is rewarding yet unpredictable, so flexibility is important. I could tell that this conversation resonated with him and it was mutually beneficial.
Liam Gale is the Program Administrator for Student Veteran Success at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is an Air Force Veteran, and holds a BA in Homeland Security from American Military University, an MA in Security Studies-Homeland Defense from University of Massachusetts Lowell, and an MSW from Simmons University.
Do you have a colleague who is doing impactful work on a college campus? I’d love to connect and highlight their work!
