8:30 AM MDT

REGISTRATION (Royal Room (main floor), Delta Hotel, Edmonton)

8:30 AM - 9:00 AM

_______________________________________________________________________________

9:00 AM MDT

WELCOME & OPENING REMARKS

Lead: Suzette Brémault-Phillips

Commodore Bouchard, Peggy Garritty, Ravina Sanghera, Minister Petitpas-Taylor

9:00 AM - 9:30 AM

_______________________________________________________________________________

9:30 AM MDT

SYMPOSIUM BRIEFING: CANADIAN MILITARY, VETERAN AND FAMILY CONNECTED CAMPUS CONSORTIUM

Lead: Suzette Brémault-Phillips 

9:30 AM - 9:40 AM

_______________________________________________________________________________

9:45 AM MDT

PANELS: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL NETWORKS 

Moderator: Kevin Friese

Panelists:

National: Dwayne Cormier, Tammy MacWilliams, Suzette Brémault-Phillips (15 mins) 

International: Karl Hamner, Gerardine Matthew-Smith (15 mins)

9:45 AM - 10:30 AM

_______________________________________________________________________________

10:30 AM MDT

NETWORKING BREAK

10:30 AM - 10:45 AM

_______________________________________________________________________________

10:45 AM MDT

CRITICAL CONVERSATION #1: NETWORKS AND PARTNERS 

10:45 AM - 11:15 AM

_______________________________________________________________________________

11:15 AM MDT

SYNTHESIS #1: 

Moderators: Kevin Friese, Amy Hunter

11:15 AM - 11:45 AM

_______________________________________________________________________________

11:45 AM MDT

MORNING CLOSING & CALL TO ACTION

Moderators: Suzette Brémault-Phillips, Phillip Sevigny

11:45 AM - 12:00 PM

_______________________________________________________________________________

12:00 PM MDT

LUNCH

12:00 AM - 1:00 PM

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1:00 PM MDT (Royal Room (main floor), Delta Hotel, Edmonton)

PANEL: BUILDING NETWORKS AND PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN CAF, VAC, PSI’S & FAMILY ORGANIZATIONS

Moderator: Suzette Brémault-Phillips

Regional: Bill Werry, Al Wong, Samantha Hay, Kevin Friese

1:00 PM - 1:30 PM

_______________________________________________________________________________

1:30 PM MDT

CRITICAL CONVERSATION #2: BUILDING NETWORKS AND PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN CAF, VAC, PSI’S & FAMILY ORGANIZATIONS

1:30 PM - 2:15 PM

_______________________________________________________________________________

2:15 PM MDT

NETWORKING BREAK

2:15 PM – 2:30 PM

_______________________________________________________________________________

2:30 PM MDT

SYNTHESIS #2: BUILDING NETWORKS AND PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN CAF, VAC, PSI’S & FAMILY ORGANIZATIONS

Moderators: Kevin Friese, Amy Hunter

2:30 PM - 3:15 PM

_______________________________________________________________________________

3:15 PM  MDT

AFTERNOON CLOSING & CALL TO ACTION 

Moderators: Suzette Brémault-Phillips, Phillip Sevigny

3:15 PM – 3:30 PM

_______________________________________________________________________________

6:00 PM MDT - Delta Hotel, Top of the Inn

DINNER RECEPTION / INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS FIRESIDE CHAT: Growing the Military-Civilian Connection through post-secondary education 

International: Karl Hamner, Ben Wadham, Gerardine Matthew-Smith

6:00 PM - 8:30 PM

8:30 AM MDT

REGISTRATION (Royal Room (main floor), Delta Hotel, Edmonton)

8:30 AM - 9:00 AM

_______________________________________________________________________________

9:00 AM MDT

PANEL: EVOLVING MILITARY, VETERAN AND FAMILY CONNECTED CAMPUSES: INDICATORS & BEST PRACTICES

Moderator: Amy Hunter

Panelists: Michel Beaulieu, Jason Kerr, Manon Larochelle, Alex Petruk, Suzanne Ferrier, Kevin Friese

9:00 AM – 9:45 AM

_______________________________________________________________________________

9:45 AM MDT

CRITICAL CONVERSATION #3: EVOLVING MILITARY, VETERAN AND FAMILY CONNECTED CAMPUSES

9:45 AM – 10:30 AM

_______________________________________________________________________________

10:30 AM MDT

NETWORKING BREAK

10:30 AM - 10:45 AM

_______________________________________________________________________________

10:45 AM MDT

SYNTHESIS #3: EVOLVING MILITARY, VETERAN AND FAMILY CONNECTED CAMPUSES

Moderators: Amy Hunter, Kevin Friese

10:45 AM - 11:15 AM

_______________________________________________________________________________

11:15 AM  MDT

MORNING CLOSING & CALL TO ACTION 

Suzette Bremault-Phillips, Phillip Sevigny

11:15 AM – 11:30 AM

_______________________________________________________________________________

11:30 AM MDT

BREAK

11:30 AM - 11:45 aM

_______________________________________________________________________________

11:45 AM MDT

LUNCH ON THE BUS / TRANSPORTATION TO CFB EDMONTON

11:45 AM - 12:30 PM

_______________________________________________________________________________

12:30 PM MDT

NETWORKING BREAK

12:30 PM - 1:00 PM

_______________________________________________________________________________

1:00 PM MDT

COMMANDERS’ OPENING REMARKS & CAF / VAC BRIEFING (CFB Edmonton)

BGen Steven Graham, Capt(N) Nick Gauthier, LCol Al Wong, Samantha Hay

1:00 PM – 1:30 PM

_______________________________________________________________________________

1:30 PM MDT

GARRISON TOUR & ENGAGEMENT WITH MILITARY MEMBERS (CFB Edmonton)

1:30 PM - 2:50 PM

_______________________________________________________________________________

2:50 PM MDT

CLOSING REMARKS

Suzette Bremault-Phillips, Phillip Sevigny

2:50 PM – 3:00 PM

_______________________________________________________________________________

3:00 PM MDT

TRANSPORTATION TO DELTA HOTEL

3:00 PM - 3:45 PM

_______________________________________________________________________________

4:00 PM MDT

TOURS (Optional; University of Alberta)

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

CMVF3C Symposium: Our North: Advancing Military, Veteran, and Family Connected Campuses (May 12-14, 2024) https://sites.google.com/ualberta.ca/cmvf3c/calendarevents/may-2024-symposium)

• Planning meetings were held with senior policy advisors in the Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs, and leadership in Veterans Affairs Canada, Canadian Armed Forces, Postsecondary Institutions and the CMVF3C Symposium planning team to coordinate the event

• Symposium aim: to bring partners together to: 

1. Enhance the military to civilian connection through postsecondary education. 

2. Advance Military, Veteran, and Family Connected Campuses (MVFCCs) in Canada

3. Establish stronger regional, national and international MVFCC networks

• Symposium attendees included 48 in person in Edmonton and 44 virtually from across Canada and internationally. Attendees identified as serving members (22), veterans (4), family members/groups that support military families (5), Veterans Affairs Canada (5), the Canadian Armed Forces/Department of National Defence (24), and post-secondary institutions (45), military, veteran and family supporting organizations (9), Alberta Health Services (1), Government of Alberta (1).

• Symposium Highlights:

Welcoming and Opening Remarks

Commodore Bouchard, Peggy Garritty, Dr. Ravina Sanghera, Minister Petitpas-Taylor

Panel 1: Growing National and International Networks & Partnership

Topic: National and international partnerships have been established among organizations advancing Military, Veteran and Family Connected Campuses. Panelists presented and discussed the current state of both the Canadian MVF3C and the International Education and Employment Consortium, focusing on needs, benefits, opportunities, and future state.

Panelists: National: Dwayne Cormier, Tammy MacWilliams, Suzette Brémault-Phillips; International: Karl Hamner, Gerri Matthew-Smith. Moderator: Kevin Friese

Key Takeaways:  

• Strengthening the military-civilian connection through post secondary education is essential for enhancing military operational readiness in a time of increasing global unrest, supporting Veteran transition to civilian life and building strong families and communities.

• Intentional collaborations across NATO countries facilitate sharing of processes, resources and key learnings, thereby aligning and eliminating duplication of efforts, and enhancing economic efficiencies

• Knowledge exchange and dissemination within growing networks will ensure standardization and consistencies in processes and practices across geographic and academic fields.

• Understanding these early successes, data-informed decision-making, and creating more military-civilian and Veteran-civilian pathways and options for post-secondary institutions are crucial for the success of Canadian and International MVF3C.

Sample Participant Quotes Post-Panel and Small Group Discussions: 

• "Really, the biggest benefit of any partnership is information sharing and coordinating activities. It's the most efficient use of time and effort and resources, and it avoids that duplication of effort.”

• "Organizations that don't partner end up dying on the vine”

• “The way forward is having that buy-in from your senior leadership team, having them understand the importance of having these supports in place."

Panel 2: Building Networks and Partnerships between the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), Postsecondary Institutions (PSIs) and Military Family Organizations

Topic: We are navigating and working within large and complex organizations. Panel members reflected on their institutions. They discussed the relationships that they have already built, resources they have access to, and efforts that have already been put in place to support military members and their families in post-secondary institutions. The discussion also focused on how to leverage existing networks to support the consortium.

Panelists: Bill Werry, Al Wong, Samantha Hay, Kevin Friese. Moderator: Suzette Bremault-Phillips

Key Takeaways: 

• While numerous existing relationships and resources are already in place to support military and veteran students and their families, there is a need for continued engagement, collaboration, consistency and a common, unifying framework and approach. 

• Understanding and leveraging existing services and partnerships with CAF, VAC, politicians and not-for-profit organizations are essential however there is a critical gap in PSIs involvement. Developing clear pathways and greater marketing is crucial in raising awareness about existing supports and increasing knowledge about military operations.

• For example, strengthening connections between military advisors and different PSIs is crucial to create an easier transition experience if a military member or their family moves.  

• Progress in large complex organizations requires a consistent point of contact with clear processes that takes into consideration job turnover and transition, to ensure open communication, establish a common language, and to reduce duplication of efforts. 

• Innovative thinking and having a willingness to try and fail are essential for creating internal champions/ Starting with small pilots and integrating feedback can gradually start building momentum leading towards success.

Sample Participant Quotes Post-Panel and Small Group Discussions:  

• "We have relationships with VAC, we have relationships with politicians and some of the not-for-profit organizations out there that are moving. Everything is in place to help veterans be successful, except for at the post secondary institution level where people are just slowly coming on board and slowly putting these efforts in. So I agree, marketing is probably key. Marketing to each institution, which needs to be very direct, very key."

• "I'm not sure that there's a huge awareness in academia at large about how the military operates or what it does. I'm in a master's program in leadership right now. There are 18 people in the program 17 of them have never served in the military and these are all well self-described future leaders right”.

Panel 3: Growing Military-Civilian Connections through Post-secondary Education and Evolving Military, Veteran and Family Connected Campuses: Indicators & Best Practices 

Topic: Expanding our military-civilian connections within post-secondary institutions was the focus of this panel. Panelists reflected on lessons learned from establishing military, veteran, and family connected campuses, visioning future efforts and best practice in becoming military, veteran and family friendly institutions. 

Panelists: Michel Beaulieu, Jason Kerr, Manon Larochelle, Alex Petruk, Suzanne Ferrier, Kevin Friese; Moderator: Amy Hunter

Key Takeaways:

• The staff within post-secondary institutions require an understanding of military life and culture to enhance support and tailor educational programs to military-civilian and Veterans’ needs, facilitating smoother transitions into postsecondary education.  

• Several successful strategies in supporting military-connected individuals in post-secondary institutions include the presence of military advisors and dedicated website pages with relevant information including process for self-identification during applications, tailored orientation, as well as relevant information and scholarships.

• Suggestions for improvement include conducting needs assessments, fostering relationships with key groups, and offering context-specific orientations and academic support. 

• Post-secondary institutions aiming to become more connected with the military and veteran community should prioritise securing leadership buy-in and leveraging existing networks while also focusing on tailored support, regular information sharing, and tactical implementation strategies to enhance support for military-affiliated students. Building local connections, ensuring organisational commitment, and providing resources such as certification programs and mentorship opportunities are crucial steps in fostering a more inclusive academic environment

Sample Participant Quotes Post-Panel and Small Group Discussions:  

• “Being aware as a PSI of the MVFC self-assessment tool. We thought that's a really critical piece as well, so knowing what those stages are and perhaps where your PSI currently is and then start building in some steps to move towards being more on that scale."

• “Things that would be done differently, or could be done differently, is having that direct communication and connection between the PSIs and the community. There are added supports that already directly support veterans and their families, just having that, say as an online community resource, so that additional support beyond the PSIs would be easily available, creating a network of services and resources."

Garrison Tour and Engagement with Military Members at CFB Edmonton

Aim: This was an experiential learning opportunity for attendees to understand the “who” behind why we are creating military, veteran, and family connected campuses. Attendees had the opportunity to view and touch a static display of equipment and tools used in the military.  

Speakers: BGen Steven Graham, LCol Al Wong, Capt(N) Nick Gauthier, Samatha Hay. Moderator: LCol Al Wong

Key Takeaways:

• There is a strong desire for members’ of PSIs and partnering agencies to have opportunities to informally connect with military members and Veterans to better understand the nuances of military-connected life. This knowledge will assist institutions to create a more tailored experience for military and veteran students. 

• Participants saw this point of connection as offering a brief but much needed insight into military culture that was more impactful than reading about it online. 

• Attendees had an enthusiastic response to being  able to visit the base, many had never been, and touch the equipment and tools used in the military, stating it provided “context to military life”  

Sample Participant Response Post-Tur: 

Participants’ discussion at the base was enthusiastic, stating that this was the “highlight” of the symposium because it provided “much needed connection to the military community.”

Fireside Chat: A Window into the “Who” - Identity, purpose, & belonging 

Aim: At its essence, the fireside chat was an opportunity for storytelling. Thus, we provided an opportunity for more in depth and informal conversations as a way for attendees to connect with the personal stories of our panelist.

Speakers: Karl Hamner, Quentin Innis, Suzette Brémault-Phillips

Key Takeaways: 

• Storytelling provides a powerful means to convey the nuances and culture of military life, fostering a deeper understanding and empathy among those unfamiliar with military experiences.

• Many individuals, including those involved in discussions about veteran support, lack an understanding of what military life is truly like. Addressing this knowledge gap is essential for improving the integration and support of veterans within civilian institutions.

• Identity, purpose, and belonging are integral to military life. As service members transition to civilian life, academic institutions can play a crucial role in enhancing their well-being by offering tailored support and resources. 

• Service members are coming to post-secondary institutions with resilience, growth and a readiness to work. We can support them by providing strategies that  post-secondary institutions can implement to offer innovative methods of support to facilitate military-affiliated individuals’ transition back into the civilian workforce.

Next steps

• October 30, 2024 - Follow up CMVF3C Hybrid Symposium and PSI Charter Signing 

• Commitment of PSIs to advance MFVCs and best practices

• Ongoing partnership and community building with CAF, VAC, and regional, national and international entities

• Advancement of the KMb Hub, showcasing extensive progress to date

• Anticipated conference presentations of the CMVF3C at an International Conference in Scotland in August, 2024, CIMVHR Forum 2024 in October 2024 and Cannexus25 in January 2025 

• Sustainability - grant funding applications to be prepared and submitted