William & Mary will host the “Empowering Military Spouses Symposium” on June 13 at the Raymond A. Mason School of Business, the first symposium of its kind for the university and the greater Hampton Roads area to provide resources and community for every phase of a military spouse’s journey.

Organized by Military & Veteran Affairs, attendees will have a day filled with various events and panels to explore navigating the complexity of managing career ambitions and family responsibilities.

“Supporting military spouses isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s a strategic imperative and a key component of national security,” said Kathleen Jabs, special assistant to the president for Military & Veteran Affairs. “As a public university with more than 1,600 military-connected students and strong partnerships with many of our nation’s military commands, William & Mary has an important role to play in teaching, researching and convening military resources. Military spouses are strategic assets who know how to live, learn and lead under pressure.” 

Military & Veteran Affairs has hosted military transition workshops and conducted research to identify some of the unique aspects that make a successful military transition. The idea for the symposium came from Project and Business Manager Lindsay Blount Ed.D ‘24. Drawing upon her own experience as a military spouse and through her dissertation on military transition programs, she had the insight that military spouses have more frequent transitions and suggested that the university should host a summit.

To make the summit a reality, Blount applied for a grant, with the symposium garnering a sponsorship with PenEd Foundation. Work on the symposium began in spring 2025 with a clear goal: To create a space where military spouses could come together for meaningful connection, practical tools and a sense of empowerment.

With that, the department moved quickly to secure speakers, sponsors, childcare and institutional backing from William & Mary, with the military spouse experience at the center.

“This symposium came to life because we recognized a real need – one many of us have experienced firsthand as military spouses,” said Blount. “While there are a number of resources available for service members and veterans, spouses often navigate career changes, identity shifts and transition challenges with far less visibility and support.”

The symposium is expecting more than 150 attendees, including military spouses, panelists, vendors and campus staff. Comprehensive childcare for 50 K-8 children is also being provided at no cost to participants, ensuring that spouses can attend and fully engage in the day’s programming while knowing their children are in a safe, enriching environment. 

“The response has been incredible, and it tells me this kind of programming is not only wanted – it’s needed,” said Blount.

Opening remarks from Jabs will be followed by a keynote from Robin Phoenix Johnson, a Stanford University Hoover Institution fellow who served 26 years as an army logistician. A subject matter expert on the applied & therapeutic use of humor for improved performance, she is currently a stand-up comedian touring worldwide with Armed Forces Entertainment.

Following the keynote are workshops, including one on mental health thriving through transition and a fireside chat on civilian career culture for military spouses. Breakout groups with a focus on career building, financial success and higher education pathways. The event will conclude with a networking reception and veteran affairs resources fair with 15 national, state and local non-profits.

Military & Veteran Affairs hopes for the symposium to become a signature event for both William & Mary and the Hampton Roads community –  growing it with more voices and creating a space where military spouses feel equipped for what comes next.

“It’s been a true community effort and we’re grateful for the opportunity to highlight William & Mary’s work as a state university with deep and historic military ties,” said Jabs.