We may be celebrating Veteran’s Day this week, but veteran services in the SIU System are year-round.

In this episode of Office Hours, SIU System President Dan Mahony speaks with Lt. Colonel Paul Copeland, the Director of Veterans’ Services at SIU Carbondale, and Dan McAlpine, the Director of Military and Veteran Services at SIU Edwardsville to learn about the award-winning veteran services that our schools offer. We also speak to some students who have found a community on campus because of these programs, Jarrick Honn and Michael McKinley.

What types of accommodations can I ask for from disability services? In this episode of Office Hours, SIU System President Dan Mahony meets with Domonic Dorsey, the Director of Accessible Campus Community & Equitable Student Support (ACCESS) at SIU Edwardsville, and Lisa Caringer, the Director of the Office of Access and Accommodations and ADA Compliance Coordinator at SIU Carbondale.

Disability services help students by providing assistive technology and communication access for blind or visually impaired students and deaf or hard of hearing students, extra time on tests, campus housing accommodations, and much more. It's not only about providing case-by-case resources for student success but also about cultivating a campus environment that encourages students to advocate for themselves when they need help or accommodation.

What does it take to help students succeed in college? In this episode of Office Hours, SIU System President Dan Mahony explores the partnership between Hope Chicago and Southern Illinois University.

Hope Chicago provides debt-free college scholarships and family support to students and parents from five Chicago Public Schools high schools. Hope Chicago CEO Aaron Kuecker and Chief Engagement Officer Michelle Howard discuss how the program works and why partnerships with universities matter. SIU Carbondale student Darnell Jenkins and SIU Edwardsville student Dayona Clark share what the opportunity has meant to them.