Two Penn State World Campus students recently had the chance to attend a professional conference where they were able to network and gain valuable experiences to advance their own goals.
Dane Sorensen, an Army veteran, and Luis Castillo, an active-duty sailor in the Navy, represented Penn State World Campus at the Student Veterans of America national conference in Colorado Springs, Colorado, from January 2 to 4. Sorensen and Castillo are officers in the World Campus chapter of the Student Veterans of America association.
Each year, the Student Veterans of America conference brings together student veterans from across the country to share ideas, learn, network, and meet with representatives from government agencies, the private sector, and nonprofits.
Sorensen and Castillo said the experience far exceeded their expectations.
For instance, Sorensen was able to speak to the then-secretary for Veterans Affairs about a proposal from an English assignment that would improve mental health support for veterans.
“This was one of the best things I’ve done for myself academically and professionally,” Sorensen said. “I got to bring something from Penn State, and I might be able to use it for change.”
Students have valuable experiences
Sorensen and Castillo had different goals for attending the conference relative to how far they are in their academic journeys.
Sorensen will graduate in May with a Bachelor of Arts in Labor and Human Resources, and his primary interest was in career resources and networking.
Castillo was interested in getting accustomed to this kind of experience.
“This is my first time really being a part of the professional world,” said Castillo, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Finance. “I’m a first-generation college student, and I immigrated here when I was younger, so I have no experience with any of this. My objective going to the conference was to observe, learn, and network a little bit. I definitely took away a lot.”
Castillo said he was inspired by a session on fundraising that gave him ideas for developing new strategies to engage with other groups. He hopes he can raise funding to allow more students to attend the conference in 2026.
“If we can send more people, it will help veterans feel more connected to others and Penn State,” Castillo said.
Sorensen focused some of his time on sessions about veteran labor issues and hiring practices. He attended others on writing résumés and cover letters for civilian jobs, building a LinkedIn profile, and networking.
The students’ participation was funded through the Penn State World Campus Military Education Benefits Office.
An English assignment becomes a real-world possibility
The highlight for Sorensen was speaking about his mental health proposal assignment with people who have the influence to make change.
Sorensen is open about his mental health struggles — he said he survived a suicide attempt while on active duty and has dealt with depression, anxiety, and PTSD. He is also familiar with the mental health services that are available through U.S. Veterans Affairs clinics.
Sorensen reflected on his experience with the proposal, which would call for increasing the number of staff at VA clinics who are certified in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and cognitive processing therapy (CPT). He said veterans with PTSD could receive better treatment with those therapies.
Sorensen approached the VA secretary for a photo and mentioned the proposal. The two spoke for seven minutes. Sorensen gained confidence to continue having other conversations about it, and he ended up talking with congressional staffers.
“I brought my academic work to the conference, and I got to meet people in person who can help implement that change,” Sorensen said. “I’m looking forward to the opportunities to make that impact, and if I can make one veteran’s life better, then it’s all worth it.”
Having a full Penn State experience
Castillo joined the Navy in 2021 and enrolled in Penn State online through World Campus in 2023. He also received the Alexander P. Fletcher Navy Student Award scholarship, which is one of the scholarships available for military learners at Penn State World Campus.
Castillo is married with a child and is stationed at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego, California.
Castillo said his experience in the Student Veterans of America chapter has encouraged him to find other ways to contribute his energy and enthusiasm, such as setting up a specialized conference just for veterans who are online learners.
“I’m going to do things for Penn State as well as this club to help veterans,” he said. “I feel like I’m part of a community now, and it’s been great. I love it.”
Sorensen is a police officer in Pennsylvania, a full-time student, a husband, and a father of two. A veteran of 14 years of active duty in the Army and Pennsylvania National Guard, he left military service in 2023.
As a student, he is actively involved in the World Campus Student Government Association. He is particularly interested in veterans' labor issues and is considering applying to graduate school with Penn State to further study HR so he can work in labor relations for an organization such as the American Legion or Veterans of Foreign Wars.
“Penn State’s really become my home and my community,” Sorensen said.
A Penn State education online
Penn State World Campus has been offering Penn State degrees online for more than 25 years. It boasts a comprehensive selection of more than 200 degree and certificate programs that have been developed with the academic colleges and campuses.
Penn State World Campus students can get involved through clubs and organizations like the Student Veterans of America chapter and meet fellow online learners.
Learn more about what to expect as a military learner online through Penn State World Campus.