About the Clearinghouse

What is the Clearinghouse?

The Clearinghouse for Military-Connected Students in Higher Education, housed within the vibrant Chez Veterans Center at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, operates as a premier, innovative online platform dedicated to enhancing the educational journey of military-connected students through supporting those that care the most about this population. This platform distinguishes itself by offering a meticulously curated repository of peer-reviewed resources aimed at empowering student-facing professionals. It serves as a vital conduit for the exchange of program insights and the dissemination of research initiatives, fundamentally geared towards elevating the academic and civilian transition experiences of military-connected students.

Central to the Clearinghouse’s mission is the commitment to fostering a community of practice among educators and professionals. By facilitating access to a diverse range of evidence-based tools, including educational strategies, program evaluations, and professional development materials, the platform actively supports the ongoing enhancement of teaching and support services tailored to the unique needs of military-connected students. Each resource within the Clearinghouse is rigorously selected through a peer-review process, ensuring its relevance and impact. This strategic approach not only underscores the importance of high-quality, effective educational practices but also champions the advancement of knowledge and innovation in the field of military-connected student support.

The Clearinghouse embodies a forward-thinking ethos, prioritizing the continuous improvement of educational outcomes and well-being for military-connected students nationwide. Through its dedication to research excellence and collaborative engagement, the platform invites educators, researchers, and student support professionals to contribute their insights and innovations. In doing so, it paves the way for transformative approaches that enrich the educational landscapes for military-connected students, fostering environments where they can thrive academically, personally, and professionally.

What is the relationship between the Chez Veterans Center and this Clearinghouse?

The Clearinghouse is a public-facing initiative by the Chez Veterans Center to share our own best practices, as well as serve as a megaphone for peer-reviewed academic research done to support military-connected students in higher education.

Who are the Reviewers?

The Clearinghouse Editorial Board is made up of faculty, graduate students, and practitioners that have a vested interest in supporting military-connected students in higher education.

How is the Clearinghouse different from other digital libraries?

  • The Clearinghouse materials are peer-reviewed.
  • The Clearinghouse has a powerful search engine that will help users easily and quickly search for and browse materials and refine their searches.
  • The Clearinghouse includes reporting and evaluation components that allow for accountability and measurement of success.

How can the Clearinghouse help my Curriculum Vitae?

All new submissions to the Clearinghouse undergo a two-stage peer review process using public criteria based on empirically proven best practices in higher education. In this way, the Clearinghouse provides a new form of evidence, which can be coupled with systematic peer review, to help institutions more objectively measure excellence in community engagement and outreach when considering faculty for promotion and tenure.

Once the Clearinghouse editorial board approves a submission, the Clearinghouse automatically generates a cover page with a suggested citation. All Clearinghouse users consent to the Clearinghouse User Agreement stating that any resource they use, either in its original or modified form, will contain a clear citation detailing the source of the material. This citation can also be used by Clearinghouse authors to update their curriculum vitae.