When Starr Amar, a Finance major in the Army National Guard, first arrived at Bellarmine University last year, she felt a little lonely, but joining the new Valor Learning Community helped her make friends and get comfortable calling campus home.
Bellarmine’s Office of Military and Veteran Services launched the learning community last year to help first year and transfer military-affiliated students transition to life at Bellarmine. The Learning Community’s specialized curricular and co-curricular activities center on establishing community
and translating the skills students gained from their military experience into a successful academic and career path.
“Military affiliated students often have specific challenges, whether it’s navigating a complex array of federal assistance or balancing their military career with class work,” said Lindsay Gargotto, Director of Bellarmine’s Office
of Military and Veteran Student Services and an Air Force veteran. “Our goal with the Valor Learning Community is to create a sense of community and support, so our students can thrive and work progressively to graduation and their career goals.”
The Valor Learning Community includes the same components as the five other Bellarmine Learning Communities,
such as taking classes together, participating in programming that aligns with classes, getting support and guidance from faculty, and gaining peer mentorship.
Members of the Valor LC are enrolled together in BU 200 and PHIL 101 in the fall semester and ENG 200 (Veteran Literature) their spring semester. Other courses may be added in the future, such as an adult learner portfolio course.
“These courses incorporate the theme of community and provide the specific tools and support military students need to be successful,” Gargotto said. “Faculty and mentors facilitate activities outside the classroom that enhance their
classes to foster deeper learning and engagement, while building community and social connections.”
There were six participates plus two mentors last year, who gave highly positive feedback of the experience.
"I felt that being in the Valor Learning Community helped me connect with veterans on campus,” Amar said. “Getting a chance to connect to people I can relate to helped me. I am very thankful for being in the Valor LC because it held a safe
space for me to be able to express myself.”
Amar said her favorite aspects of the Valor Learning Community were the biweekly lunches, talking and catching up with everyone and receiving/offering advice with one another. She also enjoyed events like Trivia Night.
Orlando R. Exposito Nunez, an Exercise Science major, also in the National Guard, agreed.
“It’s a great community for great people who make you feel welcome regardless of your background,” he said. “The OMVS has been nothing short of great for me and they're always there for me when I need them. It’s a very helpful
resource students have access to.”