Unpacking the Transition: A Phenomenological Study of Veteran College Students

Robert Gordon Spencer; Everett Singleton

doi:10.29333/ajqr/17462

Robert Gordon Spencer ¹ ^* , Everett Singleton ²

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AM J QUALITATIVE RES, Volume 10, Issue 1, pp. 222-245

https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/17462

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Abstract

This qualitative phenomenological study explores how U.S. military veterans make meaning of their transition into higher education at a large, public university in the Southeast (n=10). Using Schlossberg’s Transition Theory—specifically the 4S framework (Situation, Self, Support, Strategies)—as an analytic lens, we conducted semi-structured interviews with participants and applied thematic analysis to derive cross-case patterns. Findings show that veterans’ academic engagement and well-being hinge on (a) institutional Support (veteran-savvy advising, disability accommodations, after-hours access), (b) Situation factors (anticipated vs. unanticipated transitions; concurrent family/work demands), (c) Self resources (age/maturity, prior military learning, mental health), and (d) Strategies (peer mentorship, navigation work-arounds). The study clarifies where campus practices align with or fall short of veterans’ needs and offers a time-bound, actionable implementation guide for institutions.

Keywords: Veteran transition, higher education, community and belonging, university support

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Citation

Spencer, R. G., & Singleton, E. (2026). Unpacking the Transition: A Phenomenological Study of Veteran College Students. American Journal of Qualitative Research, 10(1), 222-245. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/17462

Spencer, R. G., and Singleton, E. (2026). Unpacking the Transition: A Phenomenological Study of Veteran College Students. American Journal of Qualitative Research, 10(1), pp. 222-245. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/17462

Spencer RG, Singleton E. Unpacking the Transition: A Phenomenological Study of Veteran College Students. AM J QUALITATIVE RES. 2026;10(1), 222-245. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/17462

Spencer, Robert Gordon, and Everett Singleton. "Unpacking the Transition: A Phenomenological Study of Veteran College Students". American Journal of Qualitative Research 2026 10 no. 1 (2026): 222-245. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/17462

Spencer, Robert Gordon et al. "Unpacking the Transition: A Phenomenological Study of Veteran College Students". American Journal of Qualitative Research, vol. 10, no. 1, 2026, pp. 222-245. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/17462

Spencer RG, Singleton E. Unpacking the Transition: A Phenomenological Study of Veteran College Students. AM J QUALITATIVE RES. 2026;10(1):222-45. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/17462