Responding to the wishes of students who have military experience, Wichita State University has opened a Military and Veteran Student Center in 107 Lindquist Hall.

The center will be staffed from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays.

The WSU Military and Veteran Student Center will create a home on campus for students on active duty, veterans or their dependents.

In addition to administrative oversight, student employees will help staff the center and be available to answer questions and provide resources.

Students will be able to use this space to connect to other students with similar life experiences and connect with resources to help them succeed academically and socially while at Wichita State.

Computer stations will offer free printing.

“There is a large population of students on campus with military experience, and this population is often at higher risk of not graduating,” said Sarah Sell, Student Success specialist and co-chair of the Veterans Advisory Board at WSU. “There are many faculty and staff who have expressed a desire to have more resources on campus to serve this population.

“I have a personal interest in helping these students since I am a first sergeant in the Air National Guard,” said Sell, a 12-year veteran. “I have dealt with military commitments during college and also coming back to school after deployments. This is why I partnered with the students to make this a reality.”

Many people contributed to make the center a reality, according to Sell, including WSU President John Bardo, who expressed interest in increasing services for military and veteran students.

Vice President for Academic Affairs Tony Vizzini agreed to provide funds to open the center. Facilities and Physical Plant worked together to remodel the space. The Rhatigan Student Center donated the majority of the furniture. University Computing donated computers. And the American Legion is donating service flags to decorate the center.

The Student Veteran Organization played an important role in garnering support for the creation of this center, and it was instrumental in providing feedback from students.