Date of Conferral

4-8-2025

Date of Award

April 2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Health

Advisor

Jirina Foltysova

Abstract

Student veterans are an essential population for research but remain consistently underexamined in the literature. Similarly, veterans carrying firearms are an essential but under-examined topic in the literature. This study sought to address gaps in both domains by investigating student veterans’ perspectives on safety and firearms on campus, or “campus carry”. Campus carry refers to a set of policies that vary by jurisdiction but generally allow individuals to legally carry concealed firearms on all or some parts of a public university or college campus. This qualitative phenomenological study explored how student veterans in Texas perceive campus safety and how these perceptions influence their decisions to carry firearms on their respective campuses. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 12 student veterans enrolled in Texas universities and colleges. The data were transcribed, coded, and analyzed thematically. A novel phenomenon around student veteran identity formation was identified, with firearm-carrying student veterans exhibiting more fixed or static identities. In contrast, non-firearm-carrying student veterans exhibited more transitional or evolutionary identities. These divergent identities suggest student veterans should not be treated as a monolithic group and their decisions around firearms are influenced by their individual histories and broader sociocultural factors. The study contributes to positive social change by highlighting student veterans’ unique perspectives and offering campus administrators and policymakers insights into fostering safer, more inclusive academic environments. By addressing the roots of both perceived and actual risks, stakeholders can better support the academic success of student veterans.

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