VCU RRTC

 This webcast will introduce pilot data concerning the self-reported resilience, employment experience and perceived quality of life of OEF/OIF Veterans. Potential implications for wellbeing, community re-integration and employment will be discussed.

Amy Armstrong is chair and associate professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Counseling at Virginia Commonwealth University. She has been involved in advocacy, education and employment issues related to individuals with disabilities for over 25 years. She has extensive experience providing national personnel training on disability-related issues, employment of marginalized populations, leadership and motivational topics. Armstrong has held a variety of community agency positions including both direct service and management at the local, regional and national levels (including the National United Cerebral Palsy Association and the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Supported Employment/Workplace Supports). Her interests include the employment of individuals with significant disabilities, community re-integration, resilience, leadership and personal/professional transformation. She received an M.A. in Rehabilitation Counseling from Michigan State University and a Ph.D. in Education from VCU.

Tom Waterworth is a 2010 graduate of VCU’s Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness program and a former communications director of VCU’s Student Veterans’ Association. During Tom’s time as a student at VCU he worked closely with the administration to address the needs of returning servicemembers, spouses, and their dependents. Expanding on the synergy between the veteran student body and the administration, Tom upon graduation accepted a position as the Military Student Services Coordinator to help establish VCU as the preeminent institution of higher education for military inclusiveness. Along with the outstanding leadership of Dr. Martha Lou Green Ed.D, Tom helped VCU establish the Military Student Services Center located on the 3rd floor of Harris Hall, adjust policy to accommodate active service members, train faculty members on the salient issues facing returning veterans and create a veteran-centric orientation process for incoming student veterans.