By Jeff Murphy,
June 28, 2016
WARRENSBURG, MO – Return With Purpose, a free workshop that will help military personnel
and veterans identify barriers in order to make a smooth transition from active duty
to civilian life and career planning, is offered from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug.
6, at the University of Central Missouri. Registration is being accepted through July
25 for this one-day session, which takes place in Room 101 of the Elliott Student
Union.
Return With Purpose provides a great opportunity for those retiring from the military,
separating, or thinking about retirement, as well as those just setting future planning
goals. The program helps individuals re-think their approach and define a plan, not
just for transition, but planning for any career or life goal. They will learn how
to evaluate where they are now and how to arrive at a desired path for the future.
It also picks up where the military’s Transitional Assistance Program (TAP) leaves
off with transitioning service members.
Return With Purpose is open to military personnel who are preparing to leave service,
veterans, members of the National Guard, and reservists. Military spouses who have
supported their husband or wife in their military career, and want to pursue a new
direction for personal growth or adjust to a new location, also are encouraged to
participate.
Leading the workshop will be Greg Ganschaw, chief executive officer and founder of
Return With Purpose. Ganschaw is a U.S. Air Force veteran who has worked with Fortune
500 companies to help employees and corporations to maximize their skills, abilities
and productivity.
Individuals who have attended the program in the past have described it as “insightful
and helpful,” including noting that they obtained tools immediately that will help
them become more in control of their lives. Others say it’s a program “that stimulates
new ideas,” and has helped them “see a way forward” after leaving the military.
The workshop’s curriculum was developed with input from psychologists and has been
in use for more than 40 years. It is tailored to meet needs specific to military members
and their families, and has been implemented by higher education institutions that
include Stanford, Penn State, and Washington University, to name just a few.
Advance registration is required. Interested individuals must RSVP to Ganschaw at
Gregg.Ganschaw@ReturnWithPurpose.org or call 314-520-2046 by July 25.
Ganschaw can address any questions related to the program. Individuals making reservations
should advise him of their name and military status, phone number, and email address.
They should also let him know if they are a UCM student. Limited seating is available.
Anyone who wants to know more about educational opportunities available for active
duty military personnel and veterans at UCM can contact Jeff Huffman, director of
the Office of Military and Veteran Services, via email at jhuffman@ucmo.edu or call
660-543-8989, or Delilah Nichols, coordinator, at nichols@ucmo.edu or 660-543-8977.
