Written by: Tia Broz and Leslie Wells
Indiana University supports veterans and other military-connected students year-round, through Military-Connected Student Services, scholarships and other resources.
At IU Indianapolis, that includes a new course in the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. The school is home to 29 students who are veterans, with others who are currently serving in the military.
O’Neill’s SPEA-V 498: Military Student Connections was created by Liz Wager, lecturer of community and organizational leadership studies in the O’Neill School, and Janice Bankert-Countryman, assistant program director of the Center for Transfer and Adult Students.
The course—which is open to any student on campus who is a veteran or service member—provides a space where their voices and experiences are front and center.
“College is hard,” Wager said. “A lot of times, especially for what we used to call ‘non-traditional students,’ just to see that there’s a place for you and seeing yourself in other students is vital.”
Raising awareness about campus resources is also a key component of the course.
“Every day when students walk out of this class, they walk out with resources that they didn’t even know they needed,” Bankert-Countryman said. “Not only do they learn about resources, they are empowered to access them and use them to support their journey.”
The course meets once a week and has included a guest visit from Jay Gladden, IU Indianapolis provost and executive vice chancellor; advising support from Tyler Cason, director of Military-Connected Student Services; and peer mentorship from Gabriel Murray, a student majoring in community and organizational leadership and a member of the National Guard.
“It’s really cool to have this space in an educational institution,” Murray said. “We’re all students, but we have another type of shared experience which kind of breaks the ice.”
Five students are enrolled in the inaugural course, but Wager and Bankert-Countryman hope that number will grow, allowing them to offer the class every semester beginning in the fall 2026.
Ayomide Ajagbonna, a senior majoring in health sciences, said she looks forward to the class and is encouraging friends who are eligible to take the course.
“I always leave this class with something that I can pass on to somebody else,” she said. “So far, I’ve learned about counseling services, how to start student organizations, and different events and resources like career services. It’s great being in an environment that focuses on accessing those kinds of things.”
“I appreciate that people who are not part of my office are out here creating opportunities and sharing resources that are extremely helpful and vital for current students and for future students that join this class,” Cason said. “I can’t stress enough how important this is on campus and for the community at large.”
Ngajo Lama, a junior majoring in informatics, said the class helps her find her way when she feels lost.
“There’s always somebody here to answer my questions or even provide solutions,” she said. “There’s always help.”
Students who are interested in learning more about the course can email Wager at ewager@iu.edu, Bankert-Countryman at jbanco@iu.edu, and Cason at tscason@iu.edu.
