Supporting Those Who Support Our Veterans
A National Conversation with Veteran Resource Center Leaders
October 2026 | Virtual Convening
Every year, thousands of service members begin the transition from military service into civilian life.
For many, higher education is part of that journey. And across colleges and universities, Veteran Resource Centers and the people who lead them often become trusted guides through what comes next.
They help veterans navigate education. Understand their options. Recognize and translate the skills developed through military service. Connect with employers and veteran-serving organizations. Build community. And ultimately, find their way toward meaningful work and a fulfilling life beyond service.
Their work matters enormously. Yet we hear far less about what they need to do well.
So we are starting by listening.
AETHEON is bringing together Veteran Resource Center leaders and practitioners from across the country to better understand the realities of their work.
Over the coming weeks, we will be speaking directly with this community about the challenges they encounter, the practices that are working, the partnerships they need and the opportunities they see to better serve transitioning veterans and their families.
What we learn will shape a national virtual convening in early October, created with and for the VRC community.
Not another conversation about veterans without the people closest to their journey.
The Questions That Matter Most
How can we better translate military experience into skills employers understand and value?
How can VRCs build stronger connections with employers, VSOs and other community partners?
What tools, resources and relationships would make VRC professionals more effective in their work?
What is already working across the country that deserves to be shared and scaled?
And who is supporting the people whose work is dedicated to supporting our veterans?
Help Us Shape October
We don't want to design this gathering and then invite the VRC community into it. We want to build it with you.
If you lead or work within a Veteran Resource Center, we would value the opportunity to hear about your experience and learn what would make this gathering genuinely useful to you.
If you are an employer, VSO, education leader, funder or ecosystem partner committed to improving veteran transition and employment, we would also welcome your perspective and participation.
Three Ways to Get Involved
Share Your Perspective
Participate in a short conversation with our team and help identify the issues that should shape the October agenda.
Join the Convening
Be among the VRC leaders, practitioners and partners coming together virtually in October to learn, connect and share.
Support the Community
If your organization has expertise, resources, relationships or ideas that could strengthen the work of VRC professionals, we want to hear from you.
Join the Conversation
Share your contact details and, if you wish, your perspective on what would make this national conversation genuinely useful.
Listen first. Convene thoughtfully. Build what is genuinely useful.
We believe there is an opportunity to do more than host an event.
There is an opportunity to strengthen the connective tissue between Veteran Resource Centers, employers, educators, veteran-serving organizations and the communities surrounding them.
And it begins by listening to the people already doing the work.
AETHEON, Building a more human, skills-centered future of work.
Explore the Veteran Skills Translator