Cadet leaders from the Army and Air Force ROTC Detachments stand before guests and reviewing officials prior to the 2025 Chancellor鈥檚 Review and Awards Ceremony. (Photo by Charlie Poag)

The annual tradition brought together students, faculty, staff, alumni and University stakeholders to recognize the accomplishments and success of cadets from 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Army and Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) programs.

The event is one of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 oldest traditions, originating in 1917 under the direction of then-Chancellor James R. Day. Among the cadets reviewed in that inaugural ceremony was future Chancellor William Pearson Tolley, who would later play a critical role in expanding access to higher education for veterans through his contributions to the Servicemen鈥檚 Readjustment Act of 1944, better known as the G.I. Bill.

This year鈥檚 ceremony featured a formal inspection of the troops by Chancellor Kent Syverud and the presentation of awards recognizing academic, leadership and civic excellence. Both University leadership and representatives from local Veteran Service Organizations were on hand to present awards to the deserving cadets.

U.S. Air Force ROTC cadets render salutes and present their detachment guidon during the 2025 Chancellor鈥檚 Review and Awards Ceremony (Photo by Charlie Poag)

鈥淓very year the Army and Air Force ROTC cadets at 黑料不打烊 make significant accomplishments and contributions which are important for us, as a campus community, to recognize and celebrate,鈥� said retired U.S. Army Col. Ron Novack, executive director of the . 鈥淪ome of these cadets are D1 athletes, others are heavily involved in civic and community projects on and off campus. They鈥檙e balancing an incredible workload and staying true to their commitment to become future commissioned officers in the U.S. military. If you look at the summary of accomplishments these cadets have made over the last year, it鈥檚 truly remarkable.鈥�

Among the highest honors presented were the General Edward C. Meyer Leadership Award and the Professor John A. and Dean Marion Meyer Scholar Award, given to top-performing cadets in the Army and Air Force ROTC respectively.

The General Edward C. Meyer Leadership Award was presented to U.S. Army ROTC Cadet Andrew Lopane for demonstrating exceptional officer potential and leadership. Lopane is enrolled at where he studies landscape architecture, and has also volunteered with 黑料不打烊 Ambulance, a student organization that responds to more than 1,500 medical emergencies each year.

鈥淭he Chancellor鈥檚 Review is a longstanding tradition that honors the dedication, leadership and achievements of Army and Air Force ROTC cadets, reinforcing the University鈥檚 deep connection to military service,鈥� says U.S. Army Lt. Col. Matthew Coyne, professor of military science at 黑料不打烊 and the commander of the Stalwart Battalion. 鈥淭hrough this event, cadets gain well-earned recognition for their hard work, motivation to excel, and a sense of pride in their commitment to serving the nation.鈥�

The Professor John A. and Dean Marion Meyer Scholar Award was presented to U.S. Air Force ROTC Cadet Charles Tang 鈥�25 for exemplary performance and inspirational leadership. Tang, who is studying political science at the , was also named a Dottle Scholar in 2023, and credits his time at 黑料不打烊 for shaping the person he is today.

Charles Tang 鈥�25 receives a U.S. Air Force Officer鈥檚 Sword for being selected as the Professor John A. and Dean Marion Meyer Scholar during the 2025 Chancellor鈥檚 Review and Awards Ceremony. (Photo by Jeremy Brinn)

鈥淔our years ago, I would not have ever imagined a career in the military. 黑料不打烊 and the AFROTC program have made me confident in my ability to lead as a future officer in the US Air Force,” says Tang. “I have taken great pleasure in working with my peers to train and mentor our younger cadets, and I am grateful for this unique opportunity 黑料不打烊 has provided me with.鈥�

The ceremony closed with a Pass in Review, a military tradition symbolizing honor and respect, as the cadets marched in formation across the field in front of their families and university leaders.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Skarda, commander of Detachment 535, summed up the significance of the moment: 鈥満诹喜淮蜢� doesn鈥檛 just talk about supporting ROTC鈥攊t has demonstrated that commitment for 108 years in a tradition that even predates the Air Force itself. For our cadets, this event is more than a ceremony; it鈥檚 a powerful moment of pride and recognition that will stay with them for a lifetime.鈥�

To view a photo gallery of this year鈥檚 event, visit the .

Jaime Jacobson G鈥�25 (second from the right) poses with her husband, Bernie (far left) and their two children.

After years of legal service in the U.S. Army, Jaime Jacobson G鈥�25 is continuing her commitment to public service through academia. Jacobson is currently a pursuing a master鈥檚 degree in higher education in the School of Education and draws a strong connection between her military experience and her future supporting college students.

Before commissioning into the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General Corps (JAG Corps), Jacobson鈥檚 professional path was already rooted in advocacy.

鈥淚 did my undergraduate degree at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and worked for a few years as a case manager for a nonprofit agency, particularly helping victims of domestic abuse,鈥� says Jacobson.

That passion carried through into law school at Northeastern University in Boston, where she focused on legal assistance. The military came into view soon after through family influence.

鈥淚 have two cousins that were both in the Army,鈥� Jacobson says. 鈥淥ne was having some interesting legal issues, and he was describing his experiences with the legal assistance office, which initially got me looking at joining the service.鈥�

The defining moment, however, came after witnessing the military鈥檚 care during a family tragedy.

鈥淢y other cousin had a traumatic experience in the family, and I watched his unit sort of descend on his household and take care of everything for him and his wife,鈥� Jacobson recalls. 鈥淭hat kind of solidified it for me, if I was going to provide legal assistance then these are the people鈥his is the group that I really wanted to serve.鈥�

Jaime Jacobson G鈥�25 (right) with her husband, Bernie.

A few years after accepting a direct commission into the Army JAG Corps, Jacobson found herself working in education as an instructor at the U.S. Army Military Police School in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

鈥淧art of my job was training military law enforcement officials, new investigators and special agents. I taught them about different things like the military justice system and criminal justice system, but being entrusted to help them along their journey and teach them was amazing,鈥� Jacobson says.

The experience certainly had an impact on her future goals. Despite her successful career, Jacobson and her husband would both make the decision to transition out of the military鈥搇argely due to the desire to focus on their new, growing family.

鈥淢y husband and I鈥攚e actually met at our officer basic course鈥攚ere dual military,鈥� says Jacobson. Like her, Jacobson鈥檚 husband served as a JAG officer in the Army. 鈥淚 got out just before I had my second child. For me, it was really about just needing to be in one location, so that was a part of my decision to leave the military.鈥�

As the pair transitioned out of the Army, her husband accepted a job at 黑料不打烊 working with the Title IX office and has been working at the University for the last nine years.聽鈥淒efinitely a little shout out to the university, they really do a great job of hiring veterans,鈥� Jacobson says.

With her family settled in 黑料不打烊, Jacobson began looking for her next chapter and higher education made perfect sense.

鈥淚 actually see a really strong connection between the work that I did in the military and the clientele that I got to serve, those sort of 18- to 24-year-old service members. I can see the connections between that work and the work here on college campuses,鈥� says Jacobson.

Many college students and military service members experience parallel challenges when being uprooted from family, placed within an unfamiliar community with an expectation to succeed. The solutions to help overcome those challenges have a lot of parallels too, and that鈥檚 where Jacobson credits her previous work with soldiers for being a foundation to support students in higher education.

鈥淭here鈥檚 a running joke amongst my cohort that I鈥檝e led many lives before coming here鈥攁nd they鈥檙e not wrong,鈥� Jacobson says.

Looking forward, Jacobson hopes to bring that same ethic of service to higher education. 鈥淚 want to be able to use a lot of the skills and experiences that I had in the military to improve the experiences of service members and be able to do that here at a college or university as well.鈥�

The afternoon begins with the Voices of Service Poster Event, taking place from 12:30 to 3 p.m. in the Bisignano Grand Hall. Organized by Academic Affairs and the D鈥橝niello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF), the event showcases research projects, curricular initiatives and community-based efforts led by 黑料不打烊 students, faculty, staff and partners. From veteran-centered education programs to collaborative outreach initiatives, the event offers a glimpse into the diverse ways the university supports military-connected populations.

Brief remarks will be delivered at 12:45 p.m.聽and attendees are encouraged to engage with presenters to learn more about ongoing and future projects. The event is open to all and aims to foster new collaborations across disciplines and departments.

Those planning to attend the poster event are asked to .

Following the poster session, attention turns to the K.G. Tan Auditorium for the next installment of the D鈥橝niello Speaker Series, beginning at 3 p.m.

This edition features a keynote from retired U.S. Air Force Col. Martha McSally, who is among the first women combat pilots in the U.S. military, and a former U.S. senator and representative. McSally, who served in Congress from 2015 to 2020, will share personal insights on facing adversity, leading with courage, and breaking down barriers in both military and political arenas.

Her talk, 鈥淏e Unbreakable,鈥� promises to deliver an inspiring narrative of resilience and determination鈥攈allmarks of McSally鈥檚 trailblazing career. A reception will follow back in the Grand Hall.

To attend the speaker series, .

Together, these events reflect 黑料不打烊鈥檚 ongoing mission to be the best place for veterans鈥攐n campus, in the community and across the country.

The Chancellor’s Review serves as a platform to recognize the exemplary achievements of the University鈥檚 Army and Air Force ROTC cadets. Cadets from both ROTC detachments will be presented awards for their commitment to service and success. Scholarships from military commands, veterans service organizations and 黑料不打烊 alumni will also be presented to cadets to support their continued academic journey prior to commissioning into the military.

This annual ceremony not only honors the dedication of our ROTC cadets, but also reflects the University’s historic commitment to supporting veterans and military families.

鈥淭he annual Chancellor鈥檚 Review is one of the few events throughout the year where the campus community can get a glimpse of what makes 黑料不打烊 the 鈥楤est Place for Veterans.鈥� The Army ROTC program at 黑料不打烊 is one of the longest-running ROTC programs in the country and our Air Force ROTC program was one of the first programs in the nation. These programs are vital components to the University鈥檚 rich history of supporting veterans, service members and their families,鈥� says retired U.S. Army Colonel Ron Novack, executive director of the Office of Veterans and Military Affairs (OVMA). 鈥淲ith the “University celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the OVMA later this year, the Chancellor鈥檚 Review ceremony is an excellent time to see the growth both the Army and Air Force ROTC programs have experienced during the University鈥檚 revitalized initiatives to support military-connected students.鈥�

We encourage all students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members to join us in recognizing and celebrating the future leaders of our nation’s armed forces. Those interested in attending can .

The ceremony will be live streamed this year for those who cannot make it to the JMA Wireless Dome. Stay tuned to the RSVP link for updates on how to access the live stream.

The latest cohort of students in the Instructional Design, Development, and Evaluation Fellowship Program, which is offered by the School of Education through the Sergeant Majors Academy at the Noncommissioned Officer Leadership Center of Excellence at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas.

In January 2025, instructional design, development and evaluation (IDDE) professors Moon-Heum Cho and Rob Pusch visited the latest cohort of students in the .

The program is offered by the School of Education through the (SGM-A) at the Noncommissioned Officer Leadership Center of Excellence (NCOLCOE), located at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas.

鈥淒uring our time there, we conducted three two-hour sessions and interacted with the military students,鈥� says Cho. 鈥淧rofessor Pusch covered content from his human performance technology course, while I focused on material from the evaluation course. We also sought the students鈥� feedback on how to improve their educational journey.鈥�

The academy鈥檚 relationship with the IDDE program began in 2019 when sergeants major were offered the opportunity to complete an聽. 黑料不打烊 was selected as SGM-A鈥檚 educational partner because of the high quality of the IDDE master鈥檚 program, as well as support offered from the聽, the聽, and the聽聽at the College of Professional Studies.

to learn about their military and educational journeys, why they chose the IDDE master鈥檚 degree program, and how they hope this credential will benefit their future.

Sgt. Maj. of the Army Rene Aleman

• Native of Robstown, Texas
• Date of Enlistment: 2000

Rene Aleman

In addition to NCOLCOE, SGM Aleman鈥檚 many assignments include those in the U.S., an assignment to the Republic of Korea, and deployments to Iraq, Kuwait and Jordan.聽Aleman鈥檚 military education includes Basic, Advanced and Senior NCO courses; Recruiter School; Basic Instructor and First Sergeant courses; and the Global Combat Systems Army Warehouse Operations Course. He earned a bachelor’s degree in multidisciplinary studies from the University of Texas-El Paso, an M.B.A. from Webster University and a doctorate in Business Administration with a cognate in project management.

鈥淪erving my country and the Army for more than 24 years has molded me into what I am today,鈥� Aleman says. 鈥淭he IDDE program provides me an opportunity to give back to the Army and to help mold the next generation of sergeants major. … I plan to apply my experience as an instructor to challenge future sergeants major to expand their thinking and open their minds to new ideas and technology.鈥�

Given his extensive military and civilian education, it鈥檚 no surprise to hear that Aleman has 鈥渃onsistently challenged鈥� himself throughout his career: 鈥淎s a recruiter, I promoted educational benefits, but I did not hold a degree. I sought out my first degree just to apply what I spoke about and 鈥榳alk the talk.’鈥�

Aleman then pursued higher educational goals 鈥渢o prove you can complete a doctoral degree while on active duty.鈥� Enrolling in the IDDE program continues that quest: 鈥淚 want to leverage the IDDE program to grow my understanding of technology and educate those around me. IDDE aligns with my long-term career goals as an educator, instructor, and mentor.鈥�

Sgt. Maj. of the Army Lourdes M. Barragan

• Native of Abilene, Texas
• Date of Enlistment: 2001

Lourdes M. Barragan

SGM Barragan鈥檚 almost 24 years of service has included duty locations throughout the U.S., as well as two combat deployments to Iraq and an overseas assignment in Germany. In that time, she served the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) as a Drill Sergeant and Battalion Command Sergeant Major, as well as Forces Command (FORSCOM) and the Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM).

Barragan鈥檚 awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Military Intelligence Corps Knowlton award, signifying contributions to the Military Intelligence community and its soldiers. Barragan earned a bachelor’s of science degree from Excelsior University in 2018.

鈥淢y answer to why I joined the School of Education鈥檚 IDDE program might be slightly different than my peers,鈥� Barragan says. 鈥淭his program permits me to develop and continue my love for lifelong learning while allowing my fianc茅 and me to serve at NCOLCOE together.鈥�

The IDDE curriculum, which focuses on creating educational products across technological platforms, piqued Barragan鈥檚 interest: 鈥淚 appreciate the focus on practical skills and the use of educational technology to deliver high-quality instructional solutions.鈥� Barragan also notes that a friend recommended the program, saying 鈥渋t has good benefits post-military as well.鈥�

Like her Cohort 10 peers, Barragan says the IDDE master鈥檚 degree program 鈥済ives me another opportunity to give back.鈥�

鈥淚 will have the opportunity to teach future sergeants major once I complete my degree. I will be responsible for developing future curriculum, which would not have been possible without this program,鈥� Barragan says. 鈥淥ne word sums up my life and career: service. From the moment I joined, I have had unwavering support from my fellow soldiers who helped mold me into the person I am today. This degree allows me to serve at every key milestone of a soldier鈥檚 career and continue to support senior noncommissioned officers in their success.鈥� Barragan notes that the instructional design program will allow her continued investment in senior leaders, 鈥渆quipping them to continue to shape and guide the next generation of soldiers.鈥�

鈥淭he program has provided me with countless opportunities to bridge knowledge, skill, and attitude gaps and shape future curriculum,鈥� Barragan says. 鈥淭his program provides both government and private sectors paths towards success post-military and allows me to continue serving through education and self-development.鈥�

Sgt. Maj. of the Army Brady Ryan Davis

• Native of Dallas, Texas
• Date of Enlistment: 2000

Brady Ryan Davis

After basic training, SGM Davis completed Advanced Individual Training, the U.S. Army Airborne School and the Ranger Indoctrination Program at Fort Benning, Georgia, before his assignment to Charlie Company, 3d Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment as an anti-tank gunner.

Davis has served in multiple duty positions for the 75th Ranger Regiment, including as Headquarters and Headquarters Company First Sergeant. He deployed multiple times in support of the Global War on Terrorism and Operation Inherent Resolve, including as Command Sergeant Major for the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment. Following this assignment, Davis served as a Brigade Command Sergeant Major in the 82nd Airborne, deployed to Poland, and then as a Nominative Sergeant Major within the US Army Forces Command (FORSCOM).

Davis鈥� military education includes the Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer and Maneuver Advanced Noncommissioned Officer courses, U.S. Army Airborne School, U.S. Army Ranger School, and Jumpmaster and Pathfinder courses. His bachelor鈥檚 degree is from Thomas Edison State University and his master鈥檚 degree is from the American Military University.

Davis describes his military career path as 鈥渘on-standard.鈥� Deployed 鈥減erpetually鈥� with the 75th Ranger Regiment from 2001 to 2016, his first change of station was at SGM-A, 鈥渨here I felt I would be an outcast as I did not know many 鈥榖asic Army things.鈥欌€�

However, Davis found he excelled in the academic environment, assisting fellow students and participating in traditional military activities he had only read about during 16 years of service: 鈥淭his left such a lasting impact on me that I was determined to find my way back to the Academy to continue mentoring and educating our future leaders.鈥�

鈥淭he opportunity to attend 黑料不打烊 and hone my skills in instructional design seemed to fit well with my proficiencies and attributes,鈥� continues Davis. 鈥淚t allows me an opportunity to give back through my experience as a Nominative Level Sergeant Major with the additional skillset I will learn through my 黑料不打烊 education.鈥�

Davis says once he retires from the military, he hopes to continue service as a federal employee, 鈥渦tilizing the credentials I am receiving with my IDDE degree.鈥�

Sgt. Maj. of the Army Liela Shadmani

• Native of Guam
• Date of Enlistment: 2002

Liela Shadmani

After graduating basic combat training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, SGM Shadmani graduated the dental specialist course at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas. Her duty stations have included Fort Carson, Colorado; Fort Drum, New York; Fort Jackson; Fort Riley, Kansas; Baghdad; and South Korea.

In addition to serving as a dental specialist, Shadmani has been a dental and triage NCO, Platoon Sergeant, Small Group Leader with the 1st Infantry Division Warrior Leader Course and Team Lead NCO at the US Army Physical Fitness School. She also has served as First Sergeant with the Dental Health Activity at Fort Jackson and Fort Drum; First Sergeant at the 10th Mountain Division NCO Academy; and Clinical Operations SGM for the William Beaumont Army Medical Hospital.

In addition to a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and master’s degree in sports and health, Shadmani holds a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from Liberty University. Her military education includes courses for Sergeant Major, Master Resilience Facilitator and Trainer and Master Fitness Trainer.

鈥淢y overarching goal is to create meaningful changes within the U.S. Department of Education as a second career,鈥� says Shadmani. 鈥淏ut for now, I鈥檓 focused on being an asset across the military. I鈥檝e seen firsthand the critical role education plays in shaping effective leaders and teams.鈥�

In her previous roles as an instructor, Shadmani has had 鈥渢he opportunity to shape young leaders and help them understand the importance of self-efficacy.鈥�

鈥淭he more I immerse myself in education within the Army, the more I see gaps that need to be addressed,鈥� she says 鈥淚 want to be a part of filling those gaps by empowering soldiers and leaders with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed鈥攇iving them the confidence and sense of worth to tackle any challenge they face.鈥�

Shadmani says SOE鈥檚 IDDE program is helping her gain the tools she needs to make a lasting impact on leadership development within the Army and beyond: 鈥淚鈥檓 excited to continue this journey and bring what I learn into my future endeavors.鈥�

Azar Abdulkadi (Image courtesy of Azar Abdulkadir)

Not long ago, Azar Abdulkadir 鈥�25 was a student at Nottingham High School, receiving help with her homework and English at 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Northside Learning Center. Now, several years later, the U.S. Navy veteran prioritizes giving back to the same community center that helped her get her start.

鈥淚 was born in Nairobi, Kenya, and immigrated to the United States with my family when I was around 15. That process and journey really shaped me,鈥� says Abdulkadir, a student veteran studying biology in the College of Arts and Sciences. 鈥淢y family started with nothing. We didn鈥檛 know the language, and we didn鈥檛 know the people. So, coming here and rebuilding our lives鈥攏ow being able to go to university and say I served this country鈥攊t just always blows my mind.鈥�

A Path to Higher Education Through Service

When the cost of college became a barrier, Abdulkadir explored military service as a way to fund her education. After learning about the GI Bill and the educational opportunities available to service members, she saw the military as a path to securing her own piece of the American dream.

鈥淲hen I started university, it was really hard because I couldn鈥檛 afford it,鈥� Abdulkadir says. 鈥淚 mentioned it to my father, but I wasn鈥檛 expecting much support. A lot of women in our culture didn鈥檛 even get the chance to go to school, let alone join the military, so I thought he鈥檇 be against it.鈥�

To her surprise, her father was not only supportive but proactive. He spoke with recruiters from various branches, brought home flyers and brochures, and even set up an appointment for his daughter to meet with them. Abdulkadir sat down with Navy recruiters to discuss career options, professional development, and鈥攎ost importantly to her鈥攅ducation benefits. By the end of the conversation, she had
made her decision: she would join the U.S. Navy.

She enlisted as a yeoman, an administrative specialist responsible for a range of clerical and personnel duties. She spent most of her enlistment stationed in Japan aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76).

鈥淚 was stationed in Yokosuka, Japan, and assigned to the carrier,鈥� she recalls. 鈥淲e would deploy for six months at sea, return for six months, then deploy again. It felt like we were gone most of the time.鈥�

Finding a Home at 黑料不打烊

As she transitioned out of the military, Abdulkadir focused on returning to higher education. 黑料不打烊 became her top choice, largely due to its commitment to veterans.

鈥淭here are teams of people here dedicated to helping veterans,鈥� she says. 鈥淭he transition can be tough鈥攅specially in my case, since I hadn鈥檛 been in school for seven years. I wanted to be at a place that understood my background.鈥�

Beyond the University鈥檚 strong academic reputation and diverse community, Abdulkadir had a personal connection鈥攈er sister was also a 黑料不打烊 graduate.

Now, she continues to give back to the community that once supported her. She teaches English and science at the Northside Learning Center, working with both children and adults.

鈥淚 want to be a positive influence,鈥� she says. 鈥淲hen I was in high school, there weren鈥檛 many volunteers who looked like me.鈥�

Leadership and Lessons from the Military

Abdulkadir noticed a similar dynamic in the military but found that, in the Navy, what mattered most was her work ethic.

鈥淚t was surprisingly easy for me to adapt and be welcomed by my crew because the military brings together people from all walks of life,鈥� she says. 鈥淭hey didn鈥檛 care that I was a woman. They didn鈥檛 care about my skin color. They just cared that I showed up, did my job, and wore the right uniform. And I loved that.鈥�

She credits two women with shaping the leader she became鈥攈er mother, who didn鈥檛 have the opportunity to complete high school but instilled a love for education in her children, and Chief Williams, a superior officer in the Navy who mentored her aboard the USS Ronald Reagan.

鈥淚 used to think senior leaders were untouchable, so as a new sailor, I was intimidated,鈥� Abdulkadir says. 鈥淏ut she approached me first, checked in on me throughout the deployment, and made a huge impact on my confidence.鈥�

That human-centered approach to leadership became the foundation of Abdulkadir鈥檚 own leadership style when she later mentored junior sailors.

鈥淭he military is male-dominated, and Chief Williams was the only female chief in my department at the time,鈥� Abdulkadir recalls. 鈥淏ut she handled things like a boss. She showed me that being a leader doesn鈥檛 mean you get to treat people any kind of way鈥攊t means guiding them.鈥�

Now, as she pursues her degree at 黑料不打烊 while continuing to serve her community, Abdulkadir remains committed to the principles that have shaped her journey鈥攅ducation, leadership, and service.

The Semiconductor Hub launched in November 2024 and included a semiconductor foundations course, one of the first of its kind in the country. It is supported by Micron鈥檚 $3 million investment in IVMF to develop a specialized track within the Onward to Opportunity career training program. Part of Micron鈥檚 $250 million Community Investment Framework commitment, the Semiconductor Hub aims to provide industry knowledge and preliminary training and support for military-connected individuals interested in a career in the semiconductor industry.

鈥淥ne of the steepest barriers to the successful transition to civilian life is a limited understanding of how skills learned during military service translate to civilian jobs,鈥� says George Ramsey, Micron senior program manager, military lead. 鈥淢icron has long made it a priority to help with that transition and hire veterans because we know they bring not just the necessary skillsets to work in our industry, but the teamwork and leadership skills that are essential to making Micron an industry leader. We鈥檙e thrilled that our work with SU and IVMF already is paying off for veterans and look forward to further building out the veteran workforce pipeline in Central New York and across the nation.鈥�

鈥淭he IVMF is pleased to partner with Micron on the successful launch of the Semiconductor Hub within the Onward to Opportunity (O2O) program,鈥� says J. Michael Haynie, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation and executive director of the D鈥橝niello Institute for Veterans and Military Families. 鈥淭hanks to Micron鈥檚 generous support, transitioning servicemembers, veterans and military family members are now accessing high-quality, no-cost career preparation to enable them to enter and thrive in the semiconductor industry. This is a win-win for these individuals who will be better equipped to attain well-paying jobs in a high-growth field as well as companies like Micron that will benefit from their talent. 黑料不打烊 and the IVMF look forward to continuing efforts to bolster the workforce required to support Micron鈥檚 Central New York investment.鈥�

The inaugural cohort of 90 Onward to Opportunity participants is the first to complete a Central New York-based training program provided in conjunction with Micron. The group, which comes from military installations across the nation, includes two servicemembers stationed at Fort Drum. Additionally, an additional 204 participants are on track to receive their certificate in the coming months.

After launching the Semiconductor Hub in the first year of the Micron-SU partnership, IVMF has turned its focus for 2025 to building direct pipelines to complementary educational programs. This pipeline will help transitioning servicemembers, veterans and military spouses build skills to access future jobs at Micron and throughout the semiconductor industry.

The recognition of the first 90 participants to achieve their certificate in semiconductors came during the first-ever Micron Day at 黑料不打烊, highlighting how collaboration between the two entities is driving innovation in the semiconductor industry and creating exciting career pathways for students and community members.

Micron plans to make additional investments across the region that unlock new educational opportunities in the years to come,聽including in the 黑料不打烊 STEAM High School, a Micron cleanroom simulation lab at Onondaga Community College and the Advanced Technology Framework to help New York school districts and teachers build semiconductor and high-tech-related curriculum, among others.

Maxwell is one of 12 schools of public service to join the initiative, called , as part of the Deans Summit, a collaborative network chaired by Dean David M. Van Slyke.

鈥淭he Volcker Alliance鈥檚 Deans Summit is committed to removing barriers and creating pathways to ensure that our veterans access higher education, especially if their goal is to continue their public service,鈥� says Van Slyke.

黑料不打烊 and the Maxwell School have clearly stated academic goals to serve veterans and their military connected families and ensure that their academic success leads to professional success, the dean says, adding, 鈥淲e are grateful for their service and believe their experiences and commitment to public service enhances the classroom environment and strengthens our democratic institutions.鈥�

Staff from each participating campus will recruit military-connected students into master鈥檚 degree programs and provide support and guidance to encourage retention and degree attainment. The initiative will also provide students with cross-campus fellowship experience for network building and professional development.

Maxwell is especially well-positioned for the partnership with its master of public administration program, which can be completed in one year and is top-ranked by peer institutions, as well as the myriad resources and opportunities provided by 黑料不打烊 through its D鈥橝niello Institute for Veterans and Military Families.

What鈥檚 more, through its Executive Education programming and collaborations with organizations such as the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), Maxwell is poised for another emphasis of the partnership: placement in local government internships and high-need jobs that deepen the military-to-civilian service pipeline.

Dan Nelson鈥�04 M.P.A., director of accelerated learning and global engagement and head of Maxwell鈥檚 state and local initiative, says Service to Service aligns with efforts already underway to empower veterans and military personnel to pursue careers in local government in partnership with ICMA. 鈥淲e are also proactively collaborating with various states to strengthen recruitment initiatives, ensuring that those who have served our country have excellent opportunities to contribute to their communities, he adds.

The is a nonprofit organization founded in 2013 by former Federal Reserve Board chairman and revered economist Paul A. Volcker, who served on the Maxwell School Advisory Board from 2001 until his death in 2019.

Other Maxwell partnerships with the Volcker Alliance include the 黑料不打烊 Next Generation Leadership Corps, nicknamed SU NextGen, which offers a two-course internship, special events and mentorship focused on civic engagement to undergraduates campuswide.

is a nonprofit created by veterans and military family members that works with government, tech and academia to launch research-backed initiatives and engage with the over 16 million veterans and their family members.

The Service to Service initiative aims to enroll an inaugural cohort of graduate students for Fall 2025. Interested individuals should complete .

鈥揃y Michael Kelly

Madison Kaifas-Steiner, a second lieutenant in the Army National Guard, riding in an MH-60 Blackhawk helicopter while serving as a medical officer.

鈥淭here were days we鈥檇 be out there in the snow, freezing, and I鈥檇 think, 鈥榃hat am I doing?鈥欌€� Kaifas-Steiner recalls. 鈥淏ut honestly, those tough conditions built a sense of camaraderie and resilience. You learn to embrace the challenge鈥攁nd maybe even enjoy it a little.鈥�

While most cadets in the Army ROTC program are 黑料不打烊 students, a handful come from nearby colleges and universities. Through the cross-town program, 黑料不打烊 hosts cadets from Le Moyne College, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, SUNY Oswego, Morrisville State College and Onondaga Community College. This arrangement allows students to pursue their academic goals while gaining the military sciences education needed for their careers.

Kaifas-Steiner didn鈥檛 have a military background or family ties to guide her decision to serve. Yet, something about ROTC drew her in, offering the chance to push her limits and pursue something bigger than herself. What began as a leap of faith soon became a transformative journey, leading Madison from the snowy fields of 黑料不打烊 to a deployment in Morocco as a medical officer鈥攁nd eventually back to 黑料不打烊鈥檚 campus, where she now works at the D鈥橝niello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF).

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 know what I was doing at first,鈥� Kaifas-Steiner says. 鈥淚 walked into ROTC with no military background, no family experience. I was completely lost.鈥�

The lessons she learned as a cadet laid the foundation for her early career as a commissioned officer, though she admits some lessons required real-world experience to fully grasp.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 understand what they were talking about when I was in ROTC, but the officer and non-commissioned officer (NCO) relationship鈥攈ow important that is鈥攃ame to fruition in Morocco,鈥� Kaifas-Steiner says. 鈥淚 developed a really good relationship with my platoon sergeant (PSG). Now I talk to him all the time, and I just keep learning from all these different types of people.鈥�

Kaifas-Steiner recently joined the staff at IVMF, one of the military-affiliated organizations in the

Madison Kaifas-Steiner as a newly commissioned second lieutenant upon graduating from Le Moyne College and the U.S. Army ROTC program at 黑料不打烊 in 2022.

National Veterans Resource Center on campus. As part of the enrollment and advising team, she is often the first point of contact for IVMF program participants. Her experience as a first lieutenant in the New York National Guard gives her unique insight into the needs of service members, veterans and their families.

鈥淭his place changed everything for me,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t set the tone for my life, my family, and my future. I wanted to give back to veterans and keep learning from them, so the IVMF was the perfect fit for me.鈥�

Reflecting on her journey, Kaifas-Steiner offers this advice to current ROTC cadets preparing to commission: 鈥淪tay open and stay humble. You鈥檙e never the smartest person in the room, and that鈥檚 a good thing. Learn from the people around you. You never know who you鈥檒l meet or what opportunities will come your way.鈥�

For Kaifas-Steiner, the ROTC program was more than a stepping stone鈥攊t was a transformative experience. 鈥淚t forever changed my life,鈥� she says. 鈥淭he program, the people and the opportunities I鈥檝e had since鈥擨鈥檓 so grateful for all of it.鈥�

黑料不打烊鈥檚 Office of Veteran and Military Affairs wants to hear from U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force ROTC cadets who have graduated and are currently serving. If you鈥檇 like to share your military experiences since commissioning, consider submitting your profile to the . Your story could inspire future generations of Orange leaders, in and out of uniform.

Jackson Capenos

Hailing from Central New York in a small town just north of 黑料不打烊, Jackson grew up immersed in a close-knit community. His early life revolved around family, sports and work. Whether chopping wood or doing landscaping work with his grandfather, or taking part in football, track and the band at his high school, Capenos cultivated a strong work ethic that would guide him through life鈥檚 challenges.

鈥淚 grew up in Penneville and went to Phoenix High School; it鈥檚 one of those towns with a gas station and a few churches, not a lot going on. I just spent a lot of time either working for my grandfather, which was just like landscaping and chopping down trees,鈥� says Capenos. 鈥淚 did a lot of athletic stuff, played football since I was 5 years old and also did track and field, and even wrestled for a couple of years.鈥�

A Family Legacy of Service

The call to serve came early. Inspired by a family legacy of military service among his two grandfathers and uncle鈥攕panning the Army, Navy and Air Force, Jackson felt compelled to join the Marines, drawn by the camaraderie and the elite reputation. His grandfather, who Capenos credits with helping to raise him, gave him the most persuasive guidance when Capenos was torn between enlisting after high school or going off to college like a lot of other students.

鈥淗e told me I had two options. I could go to school for a few years and see how that goes, then by the time I was 27 or so it would be harder to join the military, if at all. Or I could go into the military, do my time, but then go to college afterwards and at least it would be paid for,鈥� Capenos says.

During his time in the Marines, Jackson served as an amphibious assault vehicle crewman, a now-discontinued military occupational specialty, but an experience that taught him a lot about taking care of others and attention to detail.

The amphibious assault vehicle (AAV), or 鈥淎mtrack鈥� as it was commonly called, was a lightly armored tracked vehicle that carried infantry Marines from ship to shore on contested beaches. In 2020, eight Marines and a sailor tragically lost their lives during a training incident when their AAV flooded with water, sinking off the coast of California before the service members could escape.

Capenos鈥� role in the AAV was ensuring the Marines in the back were safe, and that included highly detailed inspections of the AAV before the Marines ever boarded it. Every seal, every hinge, every valve was thoroughly checked to ensure the armored vehicle would keep the crew afloat.

Jackson Capenos

After being medically separated in 2014, Jackson faced the challenge of transitioning to civilian life. He pursued higher education, earning a degree in psychology from SUNY Oswego, with a focus on military and veteran mental health. His academic path underscored his passion for understanding the struggles veterans face during transitions and finding ways to support them.

After graduating, Capenos moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, for work. With his wife joining him, the pair started to make a new life for themselves and started to settle into the local community. Then COVID hit.

鈥淲e were living near Fort Carson, I became a football coach and was an educational assistant for students with developmental disabilities, so I became really ingrained in my community out there,鈥� says Capenos. 鈥淥nce COVID hit, my wife and I couldn鈥檛 afford to live out there anymore, so we were forced to move back to New York. The day we moved back we found out we were pregnant with our son, and I immediately took the next job that I could.鈥�

His journey eventually led him to 黑料不打烊, where he found his calling as a liaison for student veterans navigating their education benefits. 鈥淲hen I was transitioning, I didn鈥檛 have much support,鈥� Jackson says. 鈥淣ow, I get to be that person for others. To help them navigate the process, talk through challenges and connect them with the resources they need.鈥�

Ensuring Veterans Success

Today, Jackson鈥檚 role is more than a job鈥攊t鈥檚 a mission. He ensures veterans feel supported as they navigate the complexities of higher education, their education benefits and life after military service. His own story of resilience and dedication serves as an inspiration to the students he works with.

鈥淭here are so many parts with education benefits depending on which program the student is using. When you鈥檙e going through that educational process you don鈥檛 always know all the details like how the monthly housing allowance works with the G.I. Bill,鈥� says Capenos. 鈥淎s I鈥檝e been going through my training, I鈥檝e learned that there鈥檚 so many things I never knew about. So, I feel like the important thing about my role here at 黑料不打烊 is helping to give the student a peace of mind that they鈥檙e taken care of.聽 Here, the student comes first.鈥�

Capenos, along with the other school certifying officials and administrators working with the , are available to answer questions any student may have about the educational benefits.

In addition to doing presentations for student veterans and keeping them informed about updates to their benefits, the University鈥檚 school certifying officials urge military-connected students to seek them out before making any significant changes to their academic plans to ensure they鈥檒l have the coverage they鈥檙e expecting.

Rendering of Micron plant

This initiative aligns with the CHIPS and Science Act, underscoring a shared commitment by the D鈥橝niello Institute, 黑料不打烊 and Micron to create meaningful career opportunities for veterans and the military-connected community.

Building a Talent Pipeline for the Semiconductor Industry

Micron鈥檚 commitment to investing over $100 billion in New York state as part of a 20-year initiative to grow the semiconductor sector presents a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between veteran talent and industry needs. The Semiconductor Hub will equip participants with the skills, resources and connections to partners around the country required for success in semiconductor manufacturing and related fields, ensuring that veterans and their families are at the forefront of this growing industry.

鈥淭he D鈥橝niello Institute is proud to partner with Micron; the Semiconductor Hub is a testament to what鈥檚 possible when we align on a common goal,鈥� says Ray Toenniessen, deputy executive director of the D鈥橝niello Institute. 鈥淭ogether, we鈥檙e not only addressing workforce needs but also empowering transitioning service members, veterans and their families to thrive in the private sector.鈥�

Beyond technical training, the initiative addresses challenges faced by the military-connected community, such as underemployment and limited access to quality education. Through local and regional partnerships, Micron and the D鈥橝niello Institute aim to create opportunities for veterans, women and individuals from underserved communities.

Addressing the Transition Challenge

For many of the nation鈥檚 17 million veterans, the transition from military to civilian life is a critical moment. A highlights the complexity of this process, noting that while the federal government spends over $13 billion annually on military-to-civilian transition programs鈥攎any of which focus on education鈥攙eterans often need immediate access to skills-based training and employment opportunities. Although veteran unemployment rates have declined in recent years, the challenge of underemployment is growing, making targeted initiatives like the Semiconductor Hub essential.

Empowering Military Families Through Collaboration

This investment represents a milestone in the D鈥橝niello Institute鈥檚 mission to support military families in their transition to post-service lives. By combining Micron鈥檚 leadership in technology with the institute鈥檚 expertise in career and workforce training, the Semiconductor Hub exemplifies the power of public-private partnerships to drive economic growth and create meaningful change for service members, veterans and their families.

To learn more about the Onward to Opportunity program, .

In 2019, the U.S. Army implemented a newer, more rigorous physical fitness test to evaluate a soldier鈥檚 potential for physical performance in combat. Named the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT), the new test required specific equipment and training space that many ROTC detachments across the nation simply did not have readily available.

When 黑料不打烊 learned about this potential setback, they set forth a plan to ensure their future soldiers were given the tools necessary to succeed.

鈥淧hysical fitness is critical for our soldiers to meet the demands of their profession in the most challenging of situations and, ultimately, to accomplish our mission,鈥� says U.S. Army Lt.Col. Matthew Coyne, the ranking professor of military science at 黑料不打烊 and detachment commander for the Stalwart Battalion. 鈥淗aving a higher physical fitness score improves their ability to assess into the component of their choice, or the branch of their choice.鈥�

By component or branch, Coyne is referring to the career field a soldier is assigned upon commissioning. Understanding the long-term impact that a fitness test could have on a cadet鈥檚 future career in the military, the University moved forward to turn a warehouse near Jamesville Avenue into the Stalwart Tactical Athlete Center, better known as the STAC.

U.S. Army ROTC cadets conducting unit physical training (Photo by Charlie Poag)

The results of this initiative were made clear over the summer of 2024 when cadets from 黑料不打烊 excelled in comparison to other ROTC units from the region and across the nation. 鈥淥ur cadets have achieved the highest Army combat fitness test average of all programs in the northeast. So out of 42 programs, they have the highest ACFT average, and they’re within the top three out of all programs in the United States,鈥� says Coyne.

U.S. Army ROTC Cadet Byron Levi 鈥�25 (right) achieved the highest ACFT score during summer training (Photo courtesy of the Stalwart Battalion)

Among those accolades, 黑料不打烊 boasts the highest individual score during the 2024 Summer Cadet Training (CST) evolution. Cadet Byron Levi 鈥�25, a senior in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, credits the University鈥檚 support as being instrumental for his accomplishment.

鈥淭he STAC has been monumental in the physical and tactical preparation leading up to CST. Having a dedicated fitness facility that can be utilized allowed us to have a sharp advantage over most programs, not only in the northeastern region but nationwide,鈥� says Levi. 鈥淪talwart Battalion cadets pride ourselves on our commitment and pursuit of excellence, but our capacity to produce results and represent 黑料不打烊 at the national level, especially during CST, would be limited without the support and resources we receive here.鈥�

As 黑料不打烊鈥檚 prominence in the military and veteran communities has increased over the years, so has the interest to attend the University by the next generation of U.S. Army officers. The Stalwart Battalion, year over year, has seen a growing trend with its enrollment, and 2024 marked its highest enrollment of cadets since 2020 and the second highest in the last 20 years; the detachment is currently preparing 124 cadets for military service after graduation.

鈥満诹喜淮蜢� has a historical commitment to supporting veterans in higher education, and since Chancellor Syverud鈥檚 2014 inaugural address calling for this university to once again become the 鈥楤est Place for Veterans,鈥� we have seen a dramatic shift in the quality of our programs, services and support we can offer our military-connected students,鈥� says retired U.S. Army Colonel Ron Novack, the executive director of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Office of Veteran and Military Affairs. 鈥淣owhere is that more evident than in the success of our ROTC programs. These young men and women are not only going to make incredible officers in the military, but they鈥檙e going forward as ambassadors of our University. We鈥檙e dedicated to ensuring that their time here with us is not only rewarding personally but impactful for their future careers as commissioned officers.鈥�

Since the STAC opened, the ROTC staff and cadets have found multiple uses for the facility. In addition to much-needed storage space for the military equipment the detachment uses, the facility also offers a classroom and training space for cadets to meet and plan upcoming exercises and events, as well as rehearse small unit tactics in a controlled environment.

To learn more about the 黑料不打烊 Army ROTC program, contact the Admissions and Recruiting Operations Officer Eric Schaertl at eshaert@syr.edu or 315.443.2462. To support 黑料不打烊鈥檚 initiatives to train the next generation of military leaders, please consider giving to the .

U.S. Army ROTC cadet prepares for a circuit course exercise (Photo by Charlie Poag)

Professor Beth Kubala works with students (Photo by The Lovewigs)

鈥淓lizabeth Kubala takes her students from the classroom to the community, breaking down barriers so veteran clients can access quality health care, food and other government benefits,” says Domenick Napoletano, president of the New York State Bar Association. “Her work bridges generations, aiding recent veterans now enrolled in college to those who fought in Korea and Vietnam.鈥�

Kubala is executive director of the College of Law’s (VLC). Under her direction, students have authored amicus briefs to the U.S. Supreme Court and argued cases at the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals. Kubala’s tenacity has brought about new programs and funding to fight veteran homelessness and substance use. Her nomination praised her infectious enthusiasm and passion for her work.

黑料不打烊 and the College of Law proudly support veterans through a legacy of over 100 years of commitment to military-connected students. Recognized as one of the聽Best Private Schools for Veterans聽and dedicated to being the聽Best Place for Veterans, 黑料不打烊 offers unparalleled resources, academic programs and student organizations for our veteran population. The University is home to the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families, a national nonprofit organization which has supported more than 208,000 service members, veterans and military family members through programs and services which empower them in their post service lives.

Tillman Scholar Benetta Dousuah G鈥�25, a U.S. Army veteran and graduate student in the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics (Photo by Charlie Poag)

The Tillman Foundation, established in memory of former National Football League player and U.S. Army Ranger Pat Tillman, honors his legacy by supporting veterans, active-duty service members and military spouses through scholarships, professional development and a lifelong network. Tillman left behind a promising football career to serve his country following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and in 2004 suffered a tragic incident that cost him his life. His foundation seeks to empower others to embody his values of service, scholarship and humble leadership.

Benetta Dousuah and her daughter upon Duasuah’s graduation from U.S. Army Basic Training (Photo courtesy of Benetta Dousuah)

For Dousuah, being named a Tillman Scholar is a culmination of hard work and community-focused ambition. 鈥淲hen I first heard about the Tillman Foundation, I was honestly shocked that there was a foundation like that with people still in the service, veterans, and military spouses who were making an impact like that,鈥� Dousuah says. 鈥淚 wanted to be a part of that organization because they were making an impact, and that鈥檚 something that I wanted to do in my community; that was one of the main reasons why I applied for the scholarship.鈥�

The journey to becoming a Tillman Scholar is rigorous, many of those selected often speak of having to overcome imposter syndrome just to apply after seeing the accomplishments of past Tillman Scholars. Dousuah credits the supportive environment at 黑料不打烊 for helping her succeed through the application process which is renowned for requiring personal reflection.

One of those supportive sources she found was 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Center for Fellowship and Scholarship Advising (CFSA). Jolynn Parker, director of CFSA, assisted Dousuah in ensuring that she had the best application to put forward and, at times, gave her the encouragement that Dousuah says she needed.

鈥淪he gave me 鈥榤om vibes鈥欌€攖he kind where someone believes in you so much that you feel you can鈥檛 let them down,鈥� says Dousuah, who is a mother to a young daughter herself. 鈥淛olynn pushed me to be my best, holding me accountable while reminding me I could achieve this.鈥�

Additionally, Dousuah says she found help in preparing from the OVMA Executive Director Ron Novack provided Dousuah with opportunities to practice through mock interviews and prepare her to represent herself to the selection board.

Benetta Dousuah celebrating as the Hometown Hero during the recent 黑料不打烊 vs. University of Connecticut football game at the JMA Wireless Dome (Photo by Charlie Poag)

For her dedication to service, Dousuah was recently honored as the Hometown Hero at the JMA Wireless Dome during men鈥檚 football game against the University of Connecticut. She says she鈥檚 excited for what the future brings to her with this new community of support behind her, and aims to help other military-connected students at 黑料不打烊 who are interested in the Tillman Foundation or looking to apply.

Looking ahead, Dousuah plans to use her platform as a Tillman Scholar to advocate for veterans and pursue her goals of shaping policies within the Department of Defense鈥檚 Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP). She is also preparing for an impactful return to her home country of Liberia this winter, where she will distribute donated school supplies to children in need鈥攁 project she describes as fulfilling the Tillman Foundation鈥檚 mission of making a lasting difference.

Her advice for aspiring Tillman Scholars is simple, 鈥淏e yourself and don鈥檛 get discouraged. Whether or not you鈥檙e selected, the journey of applying is worth it鈥攁nd the foundation鈥檚 work is something to be a part of in any way you can,鈥� says Dousuah.

Applications for the Tillman Scholarship will open in early December and close in February 2025. Those military-connected students at 黑料不打烊 who are interested in applying are highly encouraged to reach out to the OVMA, CFSA and any of the University鈥檚 .

In this new role, Toenniessen, who is currently the vice president for strategic initiatives and innovation, will assume operational responsibility for the IVMF, which serves more than 22,000 servicemembers, veterans and families each year.

Ray Toenniessen

鈥淩ay has been with the IVMF since its inception. For more than a decade, he鈥檚 played a central role in almost every facet of the IVMF鈥檚 strategy, programming and growth,鈥� Haynie says. 鈥淭here is no one more committed to our mission or more qualified to drive future growth and innovation than Ray Toenniessen.鈥�

As Deputy Executive Director, Toenniessen will lead the efforts of the IVMF’s more than 100 employees, both on campus and within military communities across the U.S.

鈥淚 am honored to assume this new responsibility, and greatly appreciate the trust Vice Chancellor Haynie has in me to lead the IVMF into the future,鈥� Toenniessen says. 鈥淎s a team we have accomplished a great deal over the last thirteen years, working to enhance the lives of veterans and their families. That said, there is much more to do. I look forward to the work ahead, leveraging our best-in-class programs, services, research, and evaluation initiatives to create positive change for the military-connected community.鈥�

Vice Chancellor Haynie will continue to serve as the IVMF鈥檚 Executive Director and Toenniessen will collaborate closely with Maureen Casey, the IVMF鈥檚 chief operating officer, and Barb Carson, managing director of programs and services.

Toenniessen graduated from 黑料不打烊 in 2006 with an international relations degree from the and was commissioned from its ROTC program as a second lieutenant. He served four years on active duty, including a combat deployment to Iraq in 2008 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Upon his transition from active duty in 2010, Toenniessen returned to the University as the first National Program Manager of the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans, expanding the program across the country thanks to a partnership with ten world-class business schools while launching additional small business programs for veterans and their families out of the .

In 2011, Toenniessen assisted Vice Chancellor Haynie in launching the D鈥橝niello Institute, initially serving as director of programs and operations. As Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, Toenniessen has been responsible for launching numerous innovative programs over the last ten years, including the IVMF鈥檚 partnerships with private sector firms, foundations and donors to the IVMF鈥檚 programs that have impacted the lives of more than 210,000 service members, veterans and military family members since 2011.

黑料不打烊 shares a similar historic commitment to honoring veterans and service members. With the university鈥檚 reputation for being the 鈥淏est Place for Veterans,鈥� it should come as no surprise that the University pulls out all the stops to celebrate Veterans Day.

鈥淓very day is Veterans Day at 黑料不打烊,鈥� says U.S. Army Colonel (Ret.) Ron Novack,聽 executive director of the University’s Office of Veterans and Military Affairs (OVMA). 鈥淏ut today, we officially take a moment and pause to honor the service, sacrifice, and love of country and the freedoms our veterans have fought to preserve for this nation.鈥�

Veterans Day 5k Fun Run and Walk

Participants in the 2024 Veterans Day 5k Fun Run and Walk take off from the starting line to run three laps around campus. (Photo by Charlie Poag)

Early in the morning on Nov. 11, the campus and local communities gathered on the Kenneth Shaw Quadrangle for the annual Veterans Day 5k.聽 The event drew more than 250 participants, its largest crowd since its inception 10 years ago. Those who signed up early enough for the run received a free t-shirt, and all participants could partake in free refreshments and light food after the walk and run to help them聽 recharge for the rest of the day鈥檚 celebrations.

鈥淭his year’s Veterans Day Fun Run and Walk was the largest 5K event our team has had to date for our cadets, military community and partners here on campus,鈥� said U.S. Marine Corps veteran Michael Drum who, as the OVMA鈥檚 operations manager, helps coordinate between the University鈥檚 Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) detachments, OVMA staff, other campus departments and local organizations to ensure the success of the run. 鈥淭his event wouldn’t have been possible without the leadership of Lt. Col. Matthew Coyne and Laura Bates of the Army ROTC’s Stalwart Battalion, who truly put on a fantastic event that we were all very proud to support.鈥�

Veterans Day Celebration and Reception

Later that morning, the doors to the National Veterans Resource Center at the Daniel and Gayle D鈥橝niello Building opened for the campus community and general public. Attendees gathered to celebrate the service of the nation鈥檚 veterans, focusing on those members of the University community who have served.

The official party for this year鈥檚 celebration included Chancellor Kent Syverud; Vice President and Hendricks Chapel Dean Brian Konkol; U.S. Army Lt. Col. (Ret). Theresa Cross 鈥�99, the keynote speaker; U.S. Army Veteran Kim Leonard, president of the University’s Veterans Employee Affinity Group; and U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Leonel Aviles 鈥�26, president of the University鈥檚 Student Veteran Organization.

Chancellor Kent Syverud offers during remarks during the 2024 Veterans Day Celebration in the K.G. Tan Auditorium (Photo by Liam Kennedy ’26)

Chancellor Syverud addressed the University鈥檚 strong commitment to veterans by pointing out that every day is Veterans Day at 黑料不打烊, and that is due in large part to the staff, faculty and alumni who are dedicated to supporting veterans and military families in higher education.

鈥淥ne civilian institution in this country is proud that it鈥檚 okay to wear the uniform every day, everywhere across the institution,鈥� said Syverud. 鈥淥ne civilian institution is incredibly proud of the student veterans who have been through here and done amazing things, of how many of our faculty and staff have served, and of the research focus and the service focus that is on veterans all year round. That one civilian institution is 黑料不打烊, and I鈥檓 grateful to all who strive to make every day feel like Veterans Day here.鈥�

Veterans Day Celebration Keynote Speaker U.S. Army Lt. Col. (Ret.) Theresa Cross ’99

Cross, who attended the University on the U.S. Army鈥檚 Green to Gold program, earned a commission through the Army ROTC program and graduated from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. During her keynote address, she spoke fondly of her family connection to the University; her mother, brother, sister, daughter and cousin are all fellow alumni. She also spoke about the ongoing efforts the University makes through OVMA and the D鈥橝niello Institute for Veterans and Military Families.

鈥淢y experience here at 黑料不打烊 was more than I imagined it would be. I could implement the leadership values inculcated in the Army鈥攍oyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage,鈥� said Cross. 鈥淚 came to a school with a rich history of supporting the military and veterans dating back to WWI and continues through the programs here on campus and those that reach the separating service members, veterans and their families across the country.鈥�

To learn more about 黑料不打烊鈥檚 commitment to veterans, service members and their families, please visit the .

The Executive Board for 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Student Veterans of America are all military veterans, and they’re all full-time students at the University. In addition to their academic responsibilities, many also hold jobs, have families and take on additional responsibilities on and off campus. It is because of their desire to be of service to something bigger than themselves that fuels the time and effort they give back to the campus community.

Get to know these impactful聽student veterans.

Leonel 鈥淟eo鈥� Aviles 鈥�26 鈥� U.S. Marine Corps Veteran
School of Information Studies

Leonel “Leo” Aviles

Leo, as he is affectionately known among friends and the military-connected community, is president of the Student Veterans Organization (SVO) at 黑料不打烊. Originally from Florida, Aviles found 黑料不打烊 through the Warrior-Scholar Project and credits the University鈥檚 admissions staff, along with OVMA’s staff with why he ultimately decided to enroll at 黑料不打烊.

鈥淭he staff at this university has open arms for veterans out there wanting to pursue higher education. The amount of people wanting to help veterans with school is incredible,鈥� says Aviles. 鈥淚 would highly encourage any military-connected student to reach out to the SVO to find out more about what opportunities are available on and off campus.鈥�

Derick Ramos G鈥�26 鈥� U.S. Marine Corps Veteran
College of Arts and Sciences

Derick Ramos

Ramos served as a tank crewman in the Marines for four years and is currently the SVO’s vice president. A graduate student, Ramos is pursuing a Ph.D. in physics. One of the biggest reasons why Ramos chose 黑料不打烊 was because of the competitive academic programs available, particularly for doctoral studies.

鈥淲hen transitioning from the service we may believe that we are behind in some instances compared to other students attending college after high school,鈥� says Ramos, 鈥淜eep your head down and work hard, your dreams and goals will come true. Always remember the words of Winnie the Pooh, 鈥榊ou鈥檙e braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.鈥欌€�

Jurgen Baeza 鈥�26 鈥� U.S. Navy Veteran
College of Engineering and Computer Science

Jurgen Baeza

Baeza discovered 黑料不打烊 while still in high school in San Diego, California. His journey to Central New York required a brief stint in the U.S. Navy, serving as an aviation structural mechanic specializing in the F/A-18 Super Hornet鈥檚 safety equipment.

With an interest in computers starting at an early age, Baeza began teaching himself to code and is pursuing that interest as a computer science major. While trying to adapt to life as a non-traditional college student, Baeza came in contact with other student veterans on campus and quickly got involved with the SVO.

鈥淎s I started going to more events and talking to more of the student veterans, I would talk to them about our similar life experiences and I was able to relate to them a lot easier than those students who are a lot younger than me,鈥� Baeza says.

Savion Pollard 鈥�26 鈥� U.S. Navy Veteran
College of Engineering and Computer Science

Savion Pollard

Pollard served in the Navy for eight years working on board nuclear submarines as a nuclear electronics technician. His time at 黑料不打烊 has been marked by significant accomplishments, including being the first local hire for Micron and being an honored guest of U.S. Sen. Charles E. Schumer during the 2023 State of the Union Address聽from President Joseph R. Biden L鈥�68.

鈥淚 chose to come to 黑料不打烊 because it brought me closer to family, and because of its proclamation as the 鈥楤est Place for Vets,鈥欌€� says Pollard, who is currently studying electrical engineering with a minor in computer science. 鈥淚鈥檝e grown to love the campus community, the 黑料不打烊 city community and the deep connection between the two.鈥�

Pollard has been a member of the SVO鈥檚 executive board for a few years and says his biggest advice for new military-connected students is to 鈥渂uy into the campus culture and to try new things along the way. All of my greatest achievements as a student have been due to being involved and making myself uncomfortable,鈥� Pollard says.

Tojyea 鈥淭J鈥� Matally 鈥�27 鈥� U.S. Marine Corps Veteran
College of Visual and Performing Arts

Tojyea 鈥淭J鈥� Matally

Matally is a sophomore pursuing a degree in communications design, and he served as a combat photographer in the Marine Corps until 2023, when he opted to pursue higher education and found 黑料不打烊 because of its reputation for providing educational opportunities for veterans and military families.

鈥淚 chose to attend 黑料不打烊 because I had heard it was an ideal place for veterans to assimilate into higher education; plus, I wanted to remain in the New York area after being stationed on Long Island for five years,鈥� Matally says.

His advice to other student veterans is to 鈥渂e honest with your limitations and strengths, and enjoy your new transition. It鈥檚 a privilege to pause and invest in yourself for four or more years. Be grateful and lean on your community to support you throughout the journey,鈥� Matally says.

To learn more about the military-connected students at 黑料不打烊 and the programs and services available for student veterans, please visit the .

鈥淚 joined in 2017, right after high school. Two weeks after I graduated, I headed to boot camp,鈥� says Aviles, an undergraduate student studying at .

Aviles served as a warehouse specialist in the Marines, spending his first two years of service at the Marine Corps Air and Ground Training Center in 29 Palms, California, one of the Marine Corps鈥� most remote bases in the continental United States. There, he supported the Marine Corps Communication-Electronics School, which trains Marines in various ground electronic maintenance roles, tactical communications and anti-air warfare operations.

For the second half of his career, Aviles supported a tank battalion, providing all the supply needs for the unit and its personnel, handing out everything from goggles, gloves, and replacement parts of vehicles and equipment.

When it came time to transition out of the military, Aviles sought out opportunities for higher education through the Warrior Scholar Project (WSP). The WSP program prepares transitioning service members to pursue their academic goals after service. While participating with the organization, Aviles says he learned about 黑料不打烊 and its initiatives to support veterans and military-connected students.

Aviles during his time serving in the U.S. Marine Corps.

鈥淚 was originally planning to go back to my home state of Florida and do community college when I got out, but during my time with WSP, I learned about 黑料不打烊. I had not been to New York before then, and it seemed like a great opportunity,鈥� Aviles says.

When he first arrived on campus, Aviles says he felt he struggled to fit in as a non-traditional student. It鈥檚 a common experience shared by many student veterans, particularly first-generation college students. For Aviles, one thing that helped was finding the military-connected community on campus and meeting people who had similar experiences and understood where he was coming from.

鈥淔or me, it was a struggle because you鈥檙e older and you don鈥檛 really fit in. After a while, everyone鈥檚 kind of pushing you and telling you it鈥檚 okay. But I鈥檝e opened many doors for myself and had some great opportunities,鈥� says Aviles.

One of those opportunities came through the聽 (SVO), 黑料不打烊鈥檚 local chapter of the National Student Veterans of America.聽Through the SVO, military-connected students can find an easier transition to academic life and connect with other students who have experienced the rigors of higher education, as well as providing a community for camaraderie and support.

鈥淚 feel like it鈥檚 a great organization due to the fact that, coming in as a first-year student, I was very closed-minded and just stuck to myself. The SVO actually opened me up to be more open-minded and feel more comfortable. I met great buddies who served in different branches, so I got a bunch of different learning perspectives from different people,鈥� Aviles says.

According to Aviles, that support has been a significant source of his success while pursuing an information management technology degree from the School, learning about various topics from cybersecurity to data analytics. For Aviles, he sees a future in cyber security, hopefully contracting with the U.S. government or working with military-affiliated companies like Booz Allen.

Now, as a junior, Aviles has stepped forward to help welcome other student veterans to campus. Earlier this semester, Aviles was elected as the President of the SVO, a position that he feels passionate about succeeding in.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a great opportunity for other veterans or even military-affiliated students. They can come in, partake in some of our events, and get together with other like-minded students. It鈥檚 just a great organization for us to get together and get more comfortable on campus,鈥� Aviles says.

For those interested in learning more about the SVO or other programs available to military-connected students, please visit the . The SVO holds meetings at least one Friday a month in the student veteran lounge at the National Veterans Resource Center, and those students interested in learning more about military service or supporting veterans on campus are welcome to attend.

Aviles (second from right), along with other members of the Student Veterans Organization, at the annual Stars and Stripes Tailgate before the military appreciation football game. (Photo by Charlie Poag)

U.S. Army Lt. Col. (Ret.) Theresa Cross ’99

Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Theresa Cross 鈥�99, who graduated from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and College of Arts and Sciences with a bachelor’s degree in international relations, will be the guest speaker at the University鈥檚 official observance of Veterans Day this year. Cross says that to her, Veterans Day is as 鈥淎merican as apple pie.鈥�

One thing that makes it personally important for her to observe the day is the low percentage of citizens who do choose to serve, 鈥淭he total number of people who have served in military service to our nation is around 6%. To me, that鈥檚 a very small amount of people, and I think it鈥檚 a small amount to pay for the many sacrifices that those people have made for our country,鈥� Cross says.

Cross came to 黑料不打烊 in 1997 on the U.S. Army鈥檚 Green to Gold program, meaning she already had military service prior to coming to campus in pursuit of becoming a commissioned officer. Having obtained the rank of staff sergeant in the U.S. Army, Cross had considerable experience under her belt, including several deployments and having just come off a peacekeeping tour in Bosnia.

鈥淎t the time I was married, I had two children, and I had done my time in the Army. I knew I needed help with the kids to go to school full time, and 黑料不打烊 was a family school,鈥� says Cross.

Theresa Cross ’99, center, with her family

When Cross calls 黑料不打烊 a 鈥渇amily school,鈥� she means the school runs through her family鈥檚 veins through multiple generations of 黑料不打烊 alumni, including most recently her own daughter, who graduated from the College of Visual and Performing Arts and the School of Education in 2014.

Cross grew up in 黑料不打烊; her mother graduated from the university in 1974, her brother in 1985 and sister in 1994. Cross knew her Orange family was ready to step in and support her in her academic goals. To this day, she鈥檚 grateful for that support and the experiences that it allowed her to have during her studies.

Cross went on to be an intelligence officer and a strategist officer; the latter meaning she helped translate national priorities into military strategies and plans as well as developed solutions for complex problems, encompassing a total of 28 years of service. One of the greatest lessons she carried with her back into military service after graduation was learning just how different things would be as an officer compared to her years of experience as an enlisted soldier.

Theresa Cross, second from left, with her Veteran sorority sisters at a Veterans Day event in Florida in 2023.

“I had just come off a tour after being a staff sergeant for two years and deploying with the 18^th Airborne Corps to Bosnia, so to make that move into the officer corps鈥搃t was different,鈥� Cross recalls. While non-commissioned officers are the experienced enlisted troops who take on a mid-level management and leadership role, commissioned officers (NCOs) are generally the primary decision makers in a unit and responsible overall for the success of that unit鈥檚 mission.

鈥淭he ROTC program helped me make that transition a lot better. We had other NCOs on campus that worked with us through the program, and I think it was just one of the best preparations for my time as an officer; learning those things that I, as an enlisted person, didn鈥檛 know about,鈥� says Cross.

The University鈥檚 celebration of Veterans Day will begin early in the morning on Nov. 11 this year. At 6:30 a.m., the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA) will host the annual Veterans Day 5K Fun Run and Walk. Those interested in participating should and plan on arriving a little early to meet fellow runners and warm up for the run.

Afterwards, the doors to the K.G. Tan Auditorium at the National Veterans Resource Center will open for the 2024 Veterans Day Celebration which will start at 11 a.m. Those wishing to attend are encouraged to by the close of business on Friday, Nov. 1.

Local attorneys will dispense free legal advice to veterans during the College of Law’s Veterans鈥� Advocacy, Law and Outreach (VALOR) Day event on Saturday, Nov. 9.

Hosted by the , Volunteer Lawyers Project of CNY, Inc., and Hancock Estabrook LLP, Valor Day will take place during the CNY Veterans Expo and will provide a variety of free legal services to local veterans.

Local attorneys will be available to discuss the following services: Simple wills, powers of attorney, advance medical directives, family law, veterans law, tenant鈥檚 rights, debt, real estate and immigration.

Legal consultations are by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, please before Nov. 7.

Jurgen Baeza 鈥�26 at The Atlanta White House during an OVMA Career Immersion trip to Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo courtesy of Jurgen Baeza)

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 really know what I wanted to major in, so I was balancing out different majors. By the end, I was just running out of funds, and I needed to get my life together. One thing that really intrigued me was how the military would pay for college, which was my main objective because I didn鈥檛 want to put my family in debt to pay for me going to school鈥揺specially having two younger brothers and how they needed to go to school too,鈥� says Baeza, who wound up enlisting in the U.S Navy.

Baeza is currently enrolled at the College of Engineering and Computer Science, where he majors in computer science, following a passion that began back in high school when he, as he recalls, began dabbling a little bit in coding.

Baeza served as an aviation structural mechanic specializing in the F/A-18 Super Hornet鈥檚 safety equipment, but in his off time, he pursued those interests with computers and started taking online courses in other coding languages like Java and Python.

鈥淭o me, I thought it was like a puzzle to try and solve. You just piece pieces together and make sure that the code runs smoothly. It鈥檚 been really fun and also challenging, but it鈥檚 very rewarding when you see your code running and there鈥檚 no more bugs or anything,鈥� Baeza says.

From Ejection Seats to Classroom Desks

U.S. Navy portrait of Jurgen Baeza 鈥�26 (Photo courtesy of Jurgen Baeza)

When F/A-18 pilots find themselves in trouble while soaring through the skies at more than 1,300 miles per hour, one of their last options is to eject from the aircraft. Baeza was primarily responsible for ensuring the aircraft鈥檚 ejection seat would work when all else failed on the jet aircraft. Using small rockets, the ejection seat separates a pilot from a failing aircraft at speeds up to 52 feet per second. Once the pilot has effectively cleared the aircraft, the ejection seat automatically falls away, leaving the pilot to fall back to Earth under the canopy of a fully deployed parachute.

After serving six years and ten months in the U.S. Navy, Baeza got out in 2022 and soon found himself landing on campus at 黑料不打烊. Much like pilots orienting themselves with their surroundings after safely ejecting, Baeza had to figure out his own surroundings now that he was once again a full-time college student.

鈥淚 made the mistake of thinking that 黑料不打烊 was going to be like New York City, and when I got here, it was definitely not. I don鈥檛 mind it though, it鈥檚 nice, I love it so far,鈥� says Baeza, who also states that he had some problems associating at times with traditional students due to the age difference. While trying to find a community to connect with, he stumbled upon a fellow student veteran who helped connect Baeza with other student veterans on campus.

鈥淭he Student Veterans Organization was very welcoming, and I have to give a shout out to Savion Pollard, he was my mentor my first semester here. He kept pushing me to go to events with the SVO,鈥� Baeza recalls. He says he was a little 鈥渟tand-offish鈥� at first, like many veterans he wasn鈥檛 looking to participate with the military culture, he was seeking a new path forward. With Pollard鈥檚 encouragement, Baeza began going to some of the SVO鈥檚 meetings, where he found most of the student veterans shared similar experiences and, like him, weren鈥檛 looking to revive their days in the military but instead help each other in the pursuit of their academic goals.

鈥淚t鈥檚 nice when you don鈥檛 want to go to the library, and you just want to go somewhere to decompress and relax. Everyone in the student veteran lounge is the same way, we鈥檙e not looking to talk about the military, or school, but we talk about life and different stuff going on outside of class,鈥� Baeza says.

The student veteran lounge and the student veteran quiet study space are both amenities provided exclusively to military-connected students inside the National Veterans Resource Center at 黑料不打烊. Serving as locations where military-connected students can unwind, relax or get ready for their next class, the spaces are crucial when other quiet areas are tied up by traditional students on campus, particularly around mid-term and final exams.

New Heights Ahead

With graduation looming on his horizon, Baeza says he鈥檇 like to stay in New York to work in software engineering, but going back to the West Coast isn鈥檛 off the table either. Additionally, Baeza says he鈥檚 interested in several master鈥檚 programs that are available through the College of Engineering and Computer Science. While figuring out what the future holds for him, he鈥檚 started giving back to the military-connected community on campus.

With a few semesters under his belt, Baeza ran for and was elected to the SVO鈥檚 Executive Board, serving as the organization鈥檚 secretary. Like many student veterans before him, he not only understands the value of the SVO鈥檚 community but also advocates for other military-connected students on campus to check the group out.

鈥淭he more students we have involved in our events, the more support we get from the University in terms of funding and opportunities. So, it鈥檚 always great to see student veterans coming out to support their community on campus, and I would highly recommend anyone who is interested in supporting veterans to check us out,鈥� says Baeza.

Those interested in learning more about the Student Veterans Organization can check out the SVO鈥檚 Website hosted by the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs.

Jurgen Baeza 鈥�26 (fourth from left) with other members of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Student Veterans Organization, including mentor Savion Pollard 鈥�25 (third from left).

The OVMA created this award to remove barriers that often prevent student veterans from accessing internships, one of the most effective pathways to post-graduation employment. The award, which is needs-based, covers the cost of one internship credit hour, travel and living expenses, or both, with a maximum award of $5,000 per student. It鈥檚 part of the ongoing efforts by 黑料不打烊 to support student veterans and ensure their success in the job market.

鈥淪tudent veterans often face the difficult choice between pursuing full-time summer studies or finding seasonal work to meet their financial needs,鈥� says Jennifer Pluta, director of Veterans Career Services with the OVMA. 鈥淚t’s challenging to focus on securing internships when financial concerns are pressing. Since its launch, the Internship Award has successfully helped 24 of our student veterans gain valuable job experience, giving them a significant advantage in the job market.鈥�

According to the University鈥檚 , more than 650,000 veterans nationwide are currently pursuing higher education, often with one primary goal in mind: finding employment afterward. While veterans highlight finding employment after their military transition as a top priority, connecting with employers can sometimes be challenging. Initiatives like the OVMA鈥檚 Internship Award are crucial in bridging this gap, providing student veterans with opportunities to gain practical experience and build networks that will support their career goals.

At 黑料不打烊, students across all schools, colleges and degree levels have access to resources that help them find and secure internships in their chosen fields. However, student veterans, who often juggle complex schedules, family commitments and financial responsibilities, can find it particularly challenging to participate in internships. The OVMA鈥檚 Internship Award helps alleviate these challenges by providing financial support, enabling student veterans to focus on gaining valuable professional experience without the added burden of financial strain.

“Since its start, the internship award program has grown tremendously, providing invaluable opportunities for our student veterans to gain real-world experience and advance their careers,” says Ron Novack, OVMA鈥檚 executive director. “We are committed to expanding this program even further, reaching more student veterans and building strong partnerships with organizations that recognize and value the exceptional skills and dedication that veterans bring to the workforce.”

This year, military-connected students secured internships across a diverse range of industries, with many gaining experience in government agencies and tech companies. From working on policy initiatives and supporting service members through government roles to contributing to innovative projects in the tech sector, these students gained invaluable experience that will serve them well in their future careers.

Read more about three of the recipients and their unique experiences below.

Laurie N. Coffey G鈥�25, U.S. Navy Veteran

Laurie Coffey

Laurie N. Coffey, a U.S. Navy veteran with over 20 years of service, is now a second-year law student in the . This summer, she interned with the Onondaga County District Attorney鈥檚 Office, where she gained valuable experience in public service law. Unlike the previous summer, when financial demands led her to take a highly paid corporate internship, this year was different.

鈥淩eceiving the scholarship allowed me to take a position that was unpaid and in public service,鈥� Coffey says. 鈥淗aving a family, mortgage, and going to school has financial demands that pushed me into a highly paid corporate internship last summer. The scholarship allowed me to pursue something more aligned with my passions and hopes to work in the advocacy arena.鈥�

Curtis Cline 鈥�25, U.S. Army Veteran

Curtis Cline

Curtis Cline, a senior majoring in aerospace engineering at the , is a U.S. Army veteran who completed three combat tours. During his service, he held such roles as crew chief, overhaul maintenance technician and downed aircraft recovery program manager. This summer, he interned at the Griffiss Institute, where he immersed himself in collaborative aerospace research.

鈥淎 lesson I gained during my internship is the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. Working alongside experts in various fields, I learned how to effectively communicate complex ideas, integrate diverse perspectives and contribute to a collaborative research environment,鈥� Cline says. 鈥淭his experience has equipped me with enhanced problem-solving skills and a deeper understanding of how different disciplines converge in aerospace research.鈥�

Marriler Wilson G鈥�25, U.S. Air Force Veteran

Marriler Wilson

Marriler Wilson is a graduate student in the , pursuing a master鈥檚 in public administration and international relations.聽 Willson served in the Air Force National Guard, focusing on security forces and base defense, while also serving as a traffic enforcer with the New York Police Department. This summer, Wilson interned at the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) in the Office of Congressional Public Affairs.

鈥淥ne particularly memorable experience occurred on the second day of my internship when I had the unique opportunity to visit Capitol Hill. I observed a general counsel from my congressional and public affairs unit articulate the significance of MCC鈥檚 work,鈥� says Wilson. 鈥淭he counsel eloquently explained how MCC鈥檚 mission aligns with the interests of both political parties and how the corporation’s initiatives serve as a vital conduit for international cooperation and development.鈥�

The OVMA Internship Award application period is open from September to May 31. For more details and to apply, visit . For more details about the award, reach out to Jennifer Pluta at jrpluta@syr.edu.

Story by Lissette Caceres

Managed by the D鈥橝niello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF), the Bernard D. and Louise C. Rostker IVMF Dissertation Research Fund recently provided more than $40,000 to four students who are at varying stages of their dissertation pursuits. The Rostker IVMF Dissertation Research Fund operates annually for a span of five years. This marks the second cycle of funding dedicated to supporting Ph.D. candidates conducting dissertation research on topics related to and in support of veterans and military families.

The Rostkers have spent years of dedicated effort supporting military families. Bernard himself is a U.S. Army veteran, and Louise has a devoted history of supporting education for military children and expanding employment opportunities for military spouses. The pair met while pursuing their own advanced degrees at 黑料不打烊, and make the funding available to support those students who may face insurmountable barriers in their pursuit to obtain higher education just as they did in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

“We both are so pleased with the program 黑料不打烊 has established in our name,鈥� says Bernard Rostker. 鈥淲e know how demanding individual research can be, and we hoped that the support we could provide at a critical moment would have a positive impact. We look forward to the continued success of the program and the students it has helped.”

The four 2024 recipients are:

Mariah Brennan 鈥� Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs

Mariah Brennan

Brennan is a Ph.D. candidate in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and a research associate with the IVMF. Her dissertation, 鈥淧ost-9/11 Veterans: Gender Differences in Health, Stressors and Social Support During Reintegration,鈥� examines health outcomes, reintegration stressors and social capital among veterans who recently separated from the military. Her work with the IVMF explores social determinants of health for veterans and veteran transition experiences. Prior to working at the IVMF, Brennan worked at the Lerner Center for Public Health Promotion and Population Health as a Lerner Fellow.

With support from the Rostker award, Brennan successfully defended her dissertation proposal this semester. 鈥淏eing a Rostker Fellow has given me the opportunity to focus on my research in ways that would not be possible without this funding,” she says. “This fellowship has provided me with extra support and resources that have allowed me to participate in advanced methodological courses necessary for my research. This is a fantastic opportunity for any student who wants to do military or veteran research. I am incredibly grateful for the Rostkers’ support of my research on women veteran health after transitioning out of service.鈥�

Rachel Linsner—David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics

Rachel Linsner

Linsner G’15, G’24 received her Ph.D. from the Department of Human Development and Family Science in Falk College. Linsner is a research associate at the IVMF, where she supports research on military families, military spouse employment, veteran transition and family policy. This semester, Linsner successfully defended her dissertation, “Maternal Employment Fit for Military Spouses: Implications for Attitudes Toward the Military, Individual Well-Being and Family Functioning.” Through the support of the Rostker fund, Linsner was able to conduct secondary data analysis with a convenience sample of 495 female active-duty spouses with children. This study explored differences in individual, family and military related outcomes based on employment fit or the actual and desired employment status, and the correspondence between them.

Linsner鈥檚 results revealed that lack of employment fit conferred significant risk across various outcomes for military spouses. Military spouses lacking employment fit were more stressed and socially isolated, and scored lower on measures of well-being, sense of belonging to their local civilian community and economic security than respondents who had employment fit. 鈥淚 am so thankful to the Rostkers. My progress in my dissertation and degree is a direct result of their generosity. This award has provided valuable support for me and my family,鈥� says Linsner.

Paul Sagoe 鈥� College of Engineering and Computer Science

Paul Sagoe

Sagoe is a Ph.D. candidate in biomedical engineering. His research aims to develop a drug delivery system for treating post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) a painful joint condition common among veterans and military personnel.

Originally from Ghana, Sagoe came to 黑料不打烊 after earning first class honors in biomedical engineering at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, Ghana. He also served as a clinical engineer at a teaching hospital in Ghana, an experience that invigorated his passion for medical science and informed his decision to pursue research studies in a field dedicated to impacting human health, improving patient鈥檚 well-being and alleviating pain. 鈥淎s a Rostker Fellow, I am thrilled by the honor of being supported financially to pursue my research goals to the fullest capacity,鈥� says Sagoe.

Sagoe鈥檚 dissertation, 鈥淪ynovial Macrophage Targeting Immunomodulatory Therapies for Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis,鈥� aims to design a disease-modifying intervention for PTOA by selectively targeting and eliminating inflammation-promoting synovial macrophages. The strategy aligns with mounting evidence highlighting the crucial involvement of synovial inflammation in PTOA progression, a problem that impacts more than 30 million Americans suffering from osteoarthritis following a joint injury.

Kyle White鈥揅ollege of Arts and Sciences

Kyle White

White, a graduate student in psychology, is a graduate research assistant at the 黑料不打烊 Veterans Administration Medical Center, where he has become increasingly interested in military and veteran populations. His dissertation, 鈥淧ain Intensity and Alcohol Use Behavior Among Veterans with Chronic Pain: The Moderating Role of Chronic Pain Acceptance,鈥� aims to examine chronic pain acceptance as a construct linking pain and alcohol use in veterans.

鈥淭his fellowship will be instrumental in advancing my research goal of identifying psychological mechanisms underlying pain and addiction among veterans,鈥� says White, whose research builds off previous studies that found chronic pain acceptance to be negatively associated with opioid use severity. 鈥淎 greater understanding of the interplay between chronic pain and hazardous alcohol use has the potential to inform the development of tailored treatments for the many veterans suffering from these conditions.鈥�

Brennan, Linsner, Sagoe and White join a cohort of other Rostker Fellows, who, collectively, have received over $90,000 in funding to conduct military-connected research. Applications are currently open for the next round of funding from the Bernard D. and Louise C. Rostker IVMF Dissertation Research Fund and will close on Sept. 30, 2024. For those interested in pursuing dissertation research on military-connected topics at 黑料不打烊, please visit the .

Those interested in supporting research on the military-connected community are encouraged to consider donating to the campaign.

The four new board members are the following:

Wilder J. Leavitt 鈥�86

Wilder Leavitt

Wilder Leavitt, an attorney in Bethesda, Maryland, is a 黑料不打烊 alumnus with a degree in aerospace engineering. He later earned a master鈥檚 degree in management from MIT and a juris doctor from American University. Leavitt鈥檚 military service includes work as an aircraft and munitions maintenance officer in the U.S. Air Force, where he was responsible for the sustainment of various aircraft operations. His commitment to supporting military-connected students extends beyond his military career, with philanthropic contributions to the University through the Wilder J. Leavitt and Mary P. Morningstar Scholarship for Military-Connected Students.

Leavitt expressed his vision for the OVMA board: 鈥淚 believe military service members, veterans and those connected to the military have served, or will serve, their country as warrior-scholar-citizens. While on the advisory board, I hope to create and implement tools and programs that develop the best traits of our military-connected students: exceptional professional competency, robust intellectual achievement, and informed participation in civic discourse.鈥�

Kenneth Marfilius 鈥�11

Kenneth Marfilius

Kenneth Marfilius, a U.S. Air Force veteran, is the assistant dean of the Office of Online and Distance Education in the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics and an associate teaching professor in the School of Social Work. An alumnus of 黑料不打烊 with a degree in psychology, Marfilius went on to earn both a master of social work and a doctorate in clinical social work from the University of Pennsylvania. He has served in numerous roles in the Air Force, including mental health therapist and family advocacy officer, and has worked at the 黑料不打烊 VA Medical Center. Additionally, Marfilius has taken on the role of associate director for the recently launched OVMA Resiliency Group.

Marfilius expressed his excitement about joining the OVMA Advisory Board. 鈥淭hrough my experiences as a U.S. Air Force veteran and my current roles at 黑料不打烊, I鈥檝e dedicated my career to advocating for those who have served our country,鈥� he says. 鈥淭his opportunity allows me to extend my unwavering dedication to the well-being of student veterans and military-connected individuals at the University.鈥�

Tyrone 鈥淭y鈥� Muse

Tyrone Muse

Tyrone Muse is the president and CEO of Visions Federal Credit Union (VFCU), headquartered in Endwell, New York. With over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, Muse has been instrumental in creating opportunities for military-connected students at the University to learn financial planning and secure their futures. He is also a certified public accountant with professional experience at Pricewaterhouse Coopers and GE Asset Management. Muse has served on various boards and received numerous accolades for his community advocacy.

Muse, who is the son of a veteran, shared his enthusiasm about joining the OVMA board. 鈥淎s a son of a veteran, working with the board and leadership of the OVMA to help carry forward the legacy of this great university is a gift,鈥� Muse says. 鈥淚 look forward to sharing my knowledge and experience from the financial services industry to help the advancement and betterment of veteran and military-connected students at the University.鈥�

U.S. Army Colonel Pia W. Rogers 鈥�98, G鈥�01, L鈥�01

Pia Rogers

Colonel Pia Rogers has served for 22 years as an active-duty U.S. Army officer. She currently holds a key role in the Office of the Chief Legislative Liaison at the Pentagon. Her extensive career includes various legal and leadership roles, earning her such prestigious awards as the Bronze Star Medal and Legion of Merit. A graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Rogers also holds a juris doctor and master of public administration from 黑料不打烊.

鈥淚 am in awe of the vital role and commitment that 黑料不打烊 provides to our veteran heroes through the OVMA, and there is no greater honor than to continue to advance these great initiatives as a member of the advisory board,鈥� says Rogers.

Leavitt, Marfilius, Muse and Rogers join the following advisory board members to help advance the University鈥檚 initiatives to support military-connected students at the University:

• Richard M. Jones 鈥�92, G鈥�95, L鈥�95, Board Chair and U.S. Army veteran
• Peggy Combs, 鈥�85, retired U.S Army Major General
• Paul Dottle P鈥�14, P鈥�18, U.S. Army veteran
• Gary Ginsburg 鈥�72, retired U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major
• Millard Hall Jr. G鈥�88, retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel
• Victor Holman 鈥�82, retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel
• Ken Qualigo G鈥�91, U.S. Army veteran
• Glenn Richardson G鈥�89, U.S. Army veteran

To learn more about OVMA and the University鈥檚 historic commitment to military-connected students, please visit the

The goal was to show students one of the many options that are available when they graduate. “Some students may not know that you can have an actual career as a musician in the military, but many, many people do,” said Brad Ethington, director of University bands and professor of music.

Ainsley Brouse G’26, who is pursuing a master’s degree in wind conducting in the , says the extent of what military bands do was new to her when she came to college. “I think if I had seen that younger, before college, I think it would’ve made music seem more accessible and more achievable that there is not just one path you can go down, but there’s many, many paths that you can go down,” Brouse said.

After their performance, the musicians answered questions from students about what it means to be in a military band and to be a professional musician more generally. “Anytime you can interact with the very best people in your profession in any way, whether it’s just hearing a performance, getting to ask questions, meeting them, that’s only going to be a positive thing and provide benefits,” Ethington said.

Check out other highlights from Navy Week below.

Lt. Conor Sullivan ’15, G’18, L’18, fourth from left, spoke with students at the College of Law about opportunities in the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps. (Photo by Beth Kubala)

U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Josh Jackson (left) and Assistant Secretary of the Navy Franklin Parker (center) pose with Chancellor Kent Syverud (right). The two senior Navy leaders took part in a roundtable discussion with the Chancellor as part of Navy Week 黑料不打烊 to discuss enhancing partnerships between the military branches and higher education, to offer better opportunities for tomorrow鈥檚 leaders. (Photo by Charlie Poag)

Members of the U.S. Navy Band Northeast perform for College of Visual and Performing Arts students in the Setnor Auditorium in Crouse College during Navy Week 黑料不打烊. (Photo by Charlie Poag)

A member of the U.S. Navy Band Northeast performs for College of Visual and Performing Arts students in the Setnor Auditorium in Crouse College during Navy Week 黑料不打烊. (Photo by Charlie Poag)

U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Josh Jackson (right) visited with students in the military visual journalism program in the Newhouse School.

Misty Fox, director of entrepreneurship and small business with the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families, speaks during the 鈥淒oing Business With the Department of Navy鈥� event, co-hosted by APEX Accelerators National Veterans Resource Center at the Daniel and Gayle D鈥橝niello Building. (Photo by Charlie Poag)

U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Josh Jackson, second from right, was honored as the Hometown Hero during the 黑料不打烊 football season opener Aug. 31 vs. Ohio in the JMA Wireless Dome. (Photo by Charlie Poag)

Jeff Wilkinson

Across the U.S. Department of Defense, there are approximately 650 commissioned flag officers, known as generals or admirals. Achieving this rank is a testament to a service member鈥檚 dedication, knowledge, leadership and ability to effect change.

For retired U.S. Air Force (USAF) Brigadier General Jeff Wilkinson 鈥�89 the path to becoming a flag officer, and the first ever combat rescue officer to be promoted to the rank of general across the USAF, began at 黑料不打烊 as an Air Force ROTC cadet.

Wilkinson, who served primarily in Air Force Special Tactics, didn鈥檛 initially see himself rising through the ranks. However, a call to service has guided him throughout his career.

鈥淕rowing up, I was interested in the outdoors, adventures as a Boy Scout, military air shows, museums and that sort of thing. I got serious in high school while figuring out how to pay for school and what I wanted to do,鈥� says Wilkinson, a Buffalo, New York, native who was drawn to 黑料不打烊 through his passion for music and playing the saxophone.

鈥淚 started pursuing scholarships. I applied for and received an Air Force scholarship and decided I wanted to be an officer and lead. It was a pathway that allowed me to attend 黑料不打烊 and be part of its excellent programs,鈥� Wilkinson says.

Music played a significant role in attracting Wilkinson to 黑料不打烊, but his undergraduate studies in mathematics and military science delivered opportunities that laid the foundation for his career. Following the loss of his Zeta Psi fraternity brother, Alex Lowenstein, along with 34 fellow students during the 1988 Pan Am Flight 103 bombing over Lockerbie, Scotland, Wilkinson decided he wanted to make a difference fighting international terrorism.

One of his ROTC instructors suggested he consider the Air Force鈥檚 special operations career field. Unlike many military occupations available to him upon graduation, Special Tactics required an application and passing qualifications.

Wilkinson represents his alma mater at a sporting event.

鈥淭here are a limited number of officers in the field, so you have to apply for it, and it鈥檚 really hard to make it through the training pipeline,鈥� Wilkinson says. 鈥淭he washout rate is high. My class started with about 68 people, and six of us graduated. It鈥檚 a hard path, but it鈥檚 where I was meant to be.鈥�

The Air Force鈥檚 Special Tactics community is primarily composed of two roles: Combat Control Team (CCT) and Pararescue (PJ). Combat controllers provide global reach opening remote austere air hubs in hostile territory along with strike capabilities delivering airpower on enemy positions, while pararescuemen offer critical medical care while embedded with other units or by entering contested areas to rescue downed aircrew or wounded service members.

Over 32 years in the Air Force, Wilkinson served on active duty, in the reserve and in the Kentucky Air National Guard as a Special Tactics officer. His service took him across the nation and around the world, supporting operations like Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti, Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq.

As he rose from second lieutenant to brigadier general, Wilkinson credits his success to the fundamentals he learned as an ROTC cadet. In the spring of 2024, he returned to 黑料不打烊 to share his career insights with ROTC cadets of Detachment 535 before their graduation. As the guest speaker, he shared three key takeaways:

1. Trust in your training.

Wilkinson shared the story of U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Bart Decker, his combat control instructor who later deployed to Afghanistan as part of the initial response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The Special Forces detachments initially deployed required immense flexibility, even adjusting to traveling on horseback through rugged terrain鈥攁 skill long forgotten in military tactics since the early 1940s.

鈥淭he foundations and processes started here in ROTC prepare you to lead in unimaginable scenarios. With a positive attitude, disciplined study and agility of thought, you will succeed. Agile thinking is encouraged in the Air Force and needed for tomorrow鈥檚 wars,鈥� Wilkinson says.

2. Seek advice from your subordinates and be thoughtful in your decisions.

Wilkinson urged the graduating cadets to listen to the noncommissioned officers (NCOs), who often train new officers in their field’s technical expertise. He recalled advice from a senior officer that Wilkinson still considers among the best he鈥檚 received.聽鈥淗e told me that my new rank and certifications gave me the authority to make decisions that, if wrong, could result in the injury or death of my Airmen or, at a minimum, violations that could land me in jail. So, I better be thoughtful in my decisions and listen to my NCOs. Seek their experience and perspective when making decisions,鈥� Wilkinson says.

3. Don鈥檛 wait to make a difference.

Wilkinson, now a senior aerospace science instructor for a high school Junior ROTC detachment in Summerville, South Carolina, has extensive experience mentoring future leaders. He urged young leaders to address issues and find solutions when the moment arises.

He recounted his time leading pararescuemen on a humanitarian response deployment to Haiti after the 2010 earthquake. His team of highly trained specialists took four to five hours to search a site, while a nearby FEMA team with rescue dogs cleared an area in 45 minutes.

鈥淲ith persistence, our team established the first rescue dog combat capability in the entire Department of Defense, assigned to the Kentucky Air National Guard. The capability came into existence thanks to the earnest efforts of a dedicated staff sergeant and his flight commander, and now it鈥檚 available to the broader Air Force,鈥� Wilkinson says.

黑料不打烊鈥檚 list of military-connected alumni who reach the prestigious flag officer ranks continues to grow, showcasing the dedication to service that the university instills in its ROTC cadets. As Wilkinson says, however, it鈥檚 not the rank that matters in the end, it鈥檚 the willingness to step forward and serve.

鈥淵ou stand at the forefront of our citizens, willing to be part of something greater than yourself,鈥� says Wilkinson. 鈥淭he American way of life, and American freedoms, are valuable. There鈥檚 always greater opportunities for people who produce results.鈥�

For more information on the University鈥檚 commitment to preparing tomorrow鈥檚 military leaders, visit the to learn about the opportunities available through ROTC.

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs (V.A.), the U.S. veteran population has decreased by almost 25% over the past two decades. Despite this decline, veterans continue to account for a significant percentage of suicides. In 2021, more than 16% of those who committed suicide in the United States were veterans despite making up less than 8% of the population.

On Wednesday, Sept. 18, the campus community is invited to the K.G. Tan Auditorium in the National Veterans Resource Center (NVRC) for the Suicide Prevention Education Talk (SPEd Talk) Mental Health Summit. The event is hosted by the 黑料不打烊 V.A. Medical Center and 黑料不打烊鈥檚 D鈥橝niello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF).

Mike Waldron

The summit will feature a keynote address by U.S. Marine Corps veteran Mike Waldron, founder and executive director of 23rd Veteran, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting veterans. Waldron launched the organization after overcoming his own trauma from military service and aims to provide unique mental health support for other veterans coping with similar challenges.

Waldron, a graduate of the IVMF鈥檚 Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans program, has been a featured guest speaker on the topic of suicide prevention before. He spoke at the NVRC last year on the topic and continues to be a passionate supporter for veterans struggling with mental health complications due to their time in military service.

鈥淭he idea came from my personal experience, so my business is related to my military service. I served in combat in 2003, and it was about four or five years later I fell into some pretty severe symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. I was struggling with panic attacks every day, multiple times a day. A lot of social anxiety, a lot of nightmares, couldn’t sleep, and I had a really hard time working. I wasn’t sleeping most of the night, and life was just a really big struggle for about four or five years there,鈥� says Waldron. 鈥淭hen I stumbled on something that worked for me, something that pulled me out of it.鈥�

A panel discussion will follow, featuring:

• Karen Heisig, director of the Greater Central New York Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
• Leah Piorkowski, licensed mental health counselor with the 黑料不打烊 VA Medical Center
• Kyle Thomas, peer specialist with the Health Care for Homeless Veterans program of the 黑料不打烊 VA Medical Center

Organizations dedicated to supporting veterans and combating suicide in the community will also be present for a resource fair before and after the discussion. The resource fair and reception will take place in the NVRC lobby. The event begins at 3:30 p.m., with the resource fair concluding at 6:30 p.m.

To learn more about this event or to register, visit .

Jennifer Pluta has worked in career services at 黑料不打烊, including spending the last 10 years providing advice to 黑料不打烊鈥檚 veterans and military-connected community.

When enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve on May 19, 1999, she had no grand plans for making a career out of her service to her country. Rather, feeling compelled to give back to her country, Pluta thought she would serve for a few years before embarking on the next chapter of her life.

Today, the military has become the focal point of Pluta鈥檚 career, connecting service members to their benefits and resources while providing both mentorship and guidance that enhances the professional development pursuits of soldiers.

Along with commemorating 25 years of military service, Pluta, a first sergeant in the Army Reserve, is celebrating another professional milestone. For nearly 20 years, Pluta has worked in career services at 黑料不打烊, including spending the last 10 years providing advice to 黑料不打烊鈥檚 veterans and military-connected community.

Jennifer Pluta

鈥淚’ve always had a desire to go into the service. I鈥檓 so honored to have had this experience and I can鈥檛 believe I鈥檓 now at 25 years of military service,鈥� says Pluta, director of Veteran Career Services in the , who also led the University鈥檚 Veterans Affinity Group for faculty and staff.

鈥淚 just never thought this was the plan when I first enlisted, but here I am. I love serving my country. I love helping and mentoring our soldiers on their journeys. Being a humble servant who gives back to our soldiers is the most honorable thing I can think of.鈥�

By encouraging student veterans to discover more about the potential employment opportunities available to them, Pluta鈥檚 passion for career services has led to an impressive 100% placement rate for connecting student veterans to new careers following graduation. She achieves this through customized career coaching, mentoring, networking and her strong connections with potential employers.

Pluta鈥檚 commitment to serving veterans led to her being named a scholar for the 2023 Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program by the George W. Bush Institute. The initiative supports individuals who not only give back to our nation鈥檚 veterans and military families, but are motivated to broaden their skillsets, knowledge and influence to enhance their efforts to support the military-connected communities they serve.

Pluta, who earned a master’s degree in higher education administration from the in 2015, sat down with SU News to discuss her passion for service, the joy she gets from and the role she鈥檚 happy to play in making 黑料不打烊 one of the best places for veterans.

Where did your passion for this work come from?

I always had an interest in career services going back to high school, when I would read resume books and wanted to learn how to make someone鈥檚 resume standout. When I was in college [at Alfred University] I did an internship with the Alfred University Carer Development Center. When I was first deployed to Kuwait as part of Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, I wound up helping soldiers to access their GI Bill benefits, student loans and other educational assistance programs.

I didn鈥檛 know you could make a career doing this. But from the onset of my military career, I wanted to know how the military benefits worked, because, for so many, those benefits are the key reason they chose to enlist in the Army Reserve. I also knew, from conversations on the base [in Kuwait], that there were many soldiers in the military who weren鈥檛 aware of the many benefits and educational incentives available to them. I was eager to share my knowledge with as many soldiers as possible because access to education through the Army’s benefits could significantly enhance their career paths and help eliminate many financial barriers.

How satisfying has it been to connect veterans and soldiers to their benefits?

It鈥檚 always been so rewarding helping my fellow soldiers. I鈥檓 lucky that I can do something I鈥檓 passionate about while helping others achieve their goals. It鈥檚 my job to help soldiers realize that they have a tremendous skillset to offer to an employer. Too often, veterans have a limited viewpoint on the value of their skills and what opportunities might be available to them. But it鈥檚 such a rewarding feeling when they understand that employers are interested in their skills and what they bring to the workforce. That鈥檚 the reward, when they realize what鈥檚 possible.

Once I came to 黑料不打烊, shortly after my deployment in 2005, I started here as a temporary, part-time employee in the Center for Career Services. It was supposed to be on a limited basis, but it鈥檚 going to be 20 years for me with 黑料不打烊 next year. I鈥檓 passionate about empowering our veterans and military-connected students with the skills and opportunities they need to succeed with their professional goals. I鈥檝e had the best time and made some of the most amazing connections by helping the people I鈥檝e served with.

How does your role with career services impact the University鈥檚 reputation as one of the best places for veterans?

Because I served as an Army Reserve career counselor and am still active in the Army Reserve, I have an understanding of not only what our service members have been through, but how their military experiences and leadership can be leveraged and utilized to help achieve their career goals. I know what resources to use to help translate their military experience into career success. I help those soldiers who want to go back into the service, and I help our faculty and staff who need help navigating their careers in the Army Reserve. I can use my network and my experiences to help connect veterans to the necessary resources, and I鈥檓 really happy I鈥檝e been able to contribute.

The is free and open to all 黑料不打烊-area veterans, including 黑料不打烊 student, faculty and staff veterans who are not enrolled in VA health care and want to learn more about eligibility and how to sign up.

Attendees will have the opportunity to:

• Enroll in VA health care (with a copy of DD214 and photo identification).
• File a claim with the Veterans Benefit Administration.
• Obtain a Veteran Health Identification Card (with photo identification).
• Learn how the (Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxic Acts) expands health care benefits for veterans who served in the Vietnam War, Gulf War and post-9/11 eras and were exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxic substances. The PACT Act also extends eligibility to survivors of these exposed veterans.
• Engage with VA professionals.
• Visit with a variety of local community resources.

Representatives from the University鈥檚 and will be in attendance. MVLS students will guide attendees and facilitate interactions with partner organizations. For more information, contact Emma.Avellino@va.gov or egkubala@syr.edu.

Jamieson Ritter

The University is honoring the memory of alumnus and fallen Cleveland, Ohio, police officer Jamieson Ritter 鈥�19 with the establishment of a scholarship in his name. Beginning in 2025, the Jamieson Ritter Memorial ROTC Scholarship will be awarded to an ROTC student who is pursuing a career in military or civilian law enforcement. Ritter, who was part of the Army ROTC at 黑料不打烊, was killed in the line of duty while serving with the Cleveland Division of Police on July 4.

鈥淛amieson Ritter鈥檚 life of dedicated service represents the very best of 黑料不打烊,鈥� says Mike Haynie, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation and executive director of the D鈥橝niello Institute for Veterans and Military Families. 鈥淭his new scholarship will honor Jamieson鈥檚 memory by assisting students who follow his example in seeking to serve their country and community in uniform.鈥�

The scholarship was established in consultation with Ritter鈥檚 family.

Originally from Rochester, New York, Ritter graduated from McQuaid Jesuit High School before coming to 黑料不打烊 to complete a degree in communication and rhetorical studies from the College of Visual and Performing Arts. Upon graduating from 黑料不打烊, Ritter was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army National Guard.

In November 2020, Ritter joined the Cleveland Division of Police as an officer. As a member of the Ohio Army National Guard, he deployed to Syria in 2022 and returned to continue his service with the Cleveland Division of Police in 2023.

Ritter grew up with an aspiration to serve others. 鈥淔rom an early age, Jamieson possessed an innate understanding of selfless service to the nation and a strong desire to serve his community,鈥� his family shared with the Cleveland Police.

If you are interested in donating to the Jamieson Ritter Memorial Scholarship Fund, please visit the .

Benetta Dousuah (left), Jude Akpunku (center) and Zahra Johnson were named 2024 Tillman Scholars as the next generation of public and private sector leaders committed to service beyond self.

Three talented and passionate 黑料不打烊 student veterans鈥�Benetta Dousuah G鈥�25, second-year law student Jude Akpunku and Zahra Johnson G鈥�25鈥攚ere recognized as 2024 Tillman Scholars by the .

The award unites and empowers remarkable military service members, veterans and spouses as the next generation of public and private sector leaders committed to service beyond self. Dousuah, Akpunku and Johnson were selected out of nearly 1,600 applicants.

are provided academic scholarships, leadership development opportunities and access to a supportive national network as they embark on career journeys in the fields of health care, public service, business, STEM, law, the humanities and education.

The fellowship program honors Pat Tillman, a starting safety for the National Football League鈥檚 Arizona Cardinals, who in 2002 put his football career on hold to serve his country with the U.S. Army鈥檚 75th Ranger Regiment in Afghanistan. Tillman鈥檚 family and friends established the Pat Tillman Foundation following Tillman鈥檚 death in April 2004.

黑料不打烊 was invited to become a Pat Tillman Foundation University Partner in 2017. To date, the University has seen .

Dousuah, Akpunko and Johnson sat down with SU News to discuss why they wanted to become Tillman Scholars, reflect on the prestigious honor and share how they will use the scholarship to make a difference in their communities.

Benetta Dousuah G鈥�25, U.S. Army

Academic major: Social work ()

Benetta Dousuah

What drew you to study at 黑料不打烊? 鈥淚 chose 黑料不打烊 because it’s known for being a veteran-friendly school. While transitioning out of the military, I visited and was impressed by how much they support student veterans. The National Veterans Resource Center at the Daniel and Gayle D鈥橝niello Building showed me how much the school cares about their veteran community.鈥�

Where did your interest and passion for your field of study come from? 鈥淢y aim is to challenge and transform the existing stigma surrounding mental health and well-being in the military. My goal is to become a social worker and serve as Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) representative at a behavioral health clinic on a military installation, particularly regarding sexual assault and harassment. This position will allow me to address significant issues related to mental health and advocate for policy changes within the SHARP program.鈥�

How does it feel to be recognized as a Tillman Scholar? 鈥淚t’s an honor to be surrounded by people dedicated to making a difference in our military. My passion is to change how investigations are done in the SHARP program. I am excited to bring this idea to other scholars and see what the future holds.鈥�

What motivated you to apply to be a Tillman Scholar, and why do you think you were selected? 鈥淧at’s story is incredible. It demonstrates selfless service and leadership, two of the Army’s core values. As a Tillman Scholar, I am honored to carry on Pat Tillman’s legacy. I’m inspired by these exceptional individuals who are making a difference. I was chosen as a Tillman Scholar because of my dedication to making a positive impact. Despite facing a traumatic experience, my goal is to reform the system that failed me, ensuring a safer military for future generations.鈥�

How do you plan to use this scholarship and this experience to make an impact in your community? 鈥淚 aim to use the education and experiences from 黑料不打烊 and the Tillman Scholar program to advocate for significant policy changes, specifically to reform the investigative process within the SHARP program.鈥�

Jude Akpunku, U.S. Naval Academy

Academic major: Online J.D. program, JDinteractive ()

Jude Akpunku

What drew you to study at 黑料不打烊? 鈥淭he University’s strong commitment to veterans and its renowned law program attracted me, aligning perfectly with my aspirations in law and public service.鈥�

Where did your interest and passion for your field of study come from? 鈥淢y interest in law developed from my experiences in the military and as a Defense Legislative Fellow [with U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey], where I saw firsthand the impact of policy and law on service members’ lives and national security.鈥�

How does it feel to be recognized as a Tillman Scholar? 鈥淚t is a profound honor. It validates my commitment to service and leadership and inspires me to continue advocating for justice and equity.鈥�

What motivated you to apply to be a Tillman Scholar, and why do you think you were selected? 鈥淚 was motivated by the program’s focus on leadership and service, which resonate deeply with my personal values and experiences. I believe I was selected due to my demonstrated commitment to these principles through my military and legislative roles.鈥�

How do you plan to use this scholarship and this experience to make an impact in your community? 鈥淚 will advance my legal education, focusing on public policy issues that affect veterans and underrepresented communities. I aim to leverage this opportunity to advocate for policies that provide greater support and resources to these groups.鈥�

Zahra Johnson G鈥�25, U.S. Army

Academic major: Biomedical forensic science ()

Zahra Johnson

What drew you to study at 黑料不打烊? 鈥淲hile stationed at Fort Drum, New York, I applied to an Army program called Green to Gold Active Duty, which allows active-duty soldiers to continue their education. I was looking for a school that offered graduate degrees in forensic science, and since 黑料不打烊 offered an M.S in different aspects of forensic science, such as medicolegal death investigation and biomedical forensic science, that was my top pick!鈥�

Where did your interest and passion for your field of study come from? 鈥淚n the wake of a tragedy in my family [the death of my uncle], I was prompted to study forensic science and specifically focus on death investigation. My mother never felt the closure she needed. I hope to help families find some closure by providing them as much knowledge and information as possible through scientific methods and proper and timely investigations.鈥�

How does it feel to be recognized as a Tillman Scholar? 鈥淧at Tillman was one-of-a-kind, someone who believed in impacting the world in a positive way. As a girl growing up in Afghanistan, I would have had little to no opportunities to seek education and follow my dreams and ambitions. The sacrifice of heroes such as Pat allowed me to go to high school, and to have freedom and opportunities that led me to where I am today. The honor is beyond words; I鈥檓 extremely proud.鈥�

What motivated you to apply to be a Tillman Scholar, and why do you think you were selected? 鈥淭he Tillman community shares the same values I believe in my core and was a great opportunity to become part of a community that will help me in my journey to become a better leader.鈥�

How do you plan to use this scholarship and this experience to make an impact in your community? 鈥淭his scholarship is not only going to help me grow intellectually but will also connect me to a supportive community that can help me improve my service. My goal is also to advocate for soldiers to pursue an education while serving, since education holds the key to a successful and healthy nation.鈥�

According to a earlier this year, almost 70% of student veterans who are patients in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals received services for mental health care, compared to just 40% of all other veterans who received mental health care from the VA. Aside from seeking services to address concerns regarding post-traumatic stress disorder, the report shows a rising trend over a six-year period of student veterans seeking out care for depression and anxiety-related disorders more than their non-student veteran peers.

鈥淎side from being non-traditional students, which brings additional stresses to their academic studies, student-veterans also have unique needs that most colleges and universities are not prepared to handle. There鈥檚 a clear need to provide military-connected students with assistance beyond just information on where they may find resources,鈥� says Ken Marfilius ’11, assistant dean of online and distance education and associate teaching professor of social work in the Falk College. 鈥淭his program will help assist student veterans in not only knowing what resources are available, but also how to navigate the process to receive those services and, sometimes, providing further support to ensure they get the care they need.鈥�

Ken Marfilius

Marfilius, a U.S. Air Force veteran, will become the associate director for the ORP where he will lead two Falk College graduate student interns, Brenic Nam G鈥�25 and Natalie Hawes G鈥�25, as well as leverage his extensive experience in providing mental health care services to the military-connected community to ensure the program鈥檚 effectiveness.

Both interns are military-connected students at 黑料不打烊 who are pursuing master鈥檚 degrees in social work. Hawes is a veteran spouse as well as the granddaughter of two World War II veterans, and has more than five years of experience in supporting the military-connected community. For Nam, currently a sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserve after spending time on active duty, it鈥檚 an opportunity to build upon lessons learned while working at Clear Path for Veterans, a nonprofit veteran鈥檚 service organization located in Central New York.

Brenic Nam G’25

鈥淰eterans and military-connected students undergo significant transitions as they shift from military to civilian life. Through this phase of acculturation, they endure unique challenges that often result in immense stress. A dedicated program like ORP will provide imperative support, empowering these veterans and (military-connected) students to confidently navigate these challenges while pursuing their personal ambitions and reaching their fullest potential,鈥� Nam says.

Hendricks Chapel, alongside the OVMA, will provide a stipend for both interns and support engagement with local community programs and services that are available in the area. The program will also seek to leverage support from the 黑料不打烊 VA Medical Center, which already provides medical services for many of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 student veterans.

鈥淭his initiative is a clear reflection of 黑料不打烊’s strategic vision to be recognized as the premier institution for veteran and military-connected students,鈥� says U.S. Army Col. (Retired) Ron Novack, executive director of the OVMA. 鈥淏y harnessing the strengths of its community and resources, the University is poised to not only meet but exceed the needs of this distinct student population. The ORP embodies the University’s commitment to fostering an environment of excellence and support for veterans and their families, further establishing 黑料不打烊 as the best place for veterans.鈥�

The program will officially launch on Aug. 26, the first day of classes for the fall 2024 semester, with more details to come later this summer on how to access the program. Aside from standing as a beacon for the University鈥檚 resolve to create an inclusive and supportive environment for student veterans, the ORP will support military-connected students with concierge-style support to help them thrive academically during their transition to post-service life.

For more information on the programs and services available to veterans and military-connected students at 黑料不打烊, please visit the .

Attendees at a press conference learned about a new initiative from Google that would provide funding for free access to specific Google coursework. The D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) will receive $3.5 million. J. Michael Haynie, third from right, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation and the executive director of the IVMF, spoke at the press conference in Washington, D.C.

黑料不打烊鈥檚 (IVMF) received a $3.5 million grant from Google to help train our nation鈥檚 transitioning service members, veterans and military-connected spouses on cybersecurity and artificial intelligence topics.

The funding, part of Google鈥檚 $75 million AI Opportunity Fund, will provide free access to Google鈥檚 AI Essentials Course and the Google cybersecurity certificate to ) participants. The IVMF is one of the fund鈥檚 first recipients.

鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to partner with Google on this new initiative, which will help make AI training universally accessible throughout the country. With this new Google AI Essentials Course, we are confident that we can arm veterans and military spouses with the training and skills necessary to begin to leverage the technology and put it to use in their career,鈥� said , vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation and the executive director of the IVMF, at a press conference today in Washington, D.C.

Over the next three years, the goal is to train transitioning service members, veterans and military-connected spouses on how to best leverage and incorporate AI into their daily lives.

鈥淎I offers significant opportunities to accelerate economic growth, particularly if people have access to the right resources and training,鈥� said James Manyika, senior vice president for research, technology and society at Google. 鈥淕oogle.org鈥檚 new AI Opportunity Fund and Google鈥檚 AI Essentials Course are important next steps in our commitment to ensure everyone, everywhere can access AI training. No single employer or policymaker will be able to modernize workforce programs on their own鈥攚e are committed to collaborating across industry, civil society and government to ensure the opportunities created by new technologies are available to everyone.鈥�

Haynie said the IVMF team provides training, education and technical assistance to more than 20,000 service members, veterans and military-connected family members annually. Recently, Haynie said one of the most asked about questions from the veteran community involved ways to learn more about AI and its everyday uses.

This grant from Google addresses both a specific need for veterans and a specific gap in training nationwide, as only half of workers have access to sufficient AI training opportunities, according to the .

J. Michael Haynie

鈥淲e鈥檝e found that military veterans are eager to embrace the technology in their professional life to increase productivity, whether while running their own small business or working for one of America鈥檚 employers. We were working to find the right answer for them, but with an increasingly crowded marketplace of resources and training it was difficult to identify the right opportunity鈥nter our friends at Google. This training will have a lasting impact on veterans and military spouses,鈥� Haynie said of , which has supported IVMF with its efforts of preparing transitioning service members, veterans and military spouses to bring their skills to civilian careers since 2013.

According to Google, its online AI Essentials course, taught by the tech giant鈥檚 industry experts, will train people to use generative AI effectively in their day-to-day work. Participants will receive practical, hands-on experience with AI鈥攊ncluding best practices and how to responsibly use AI鈥攁nd those who complete the course will earn a certificate from Google to share with their network and with potential employers. The course normally costs $49 per person, but thanks to this grant, IVMF participants can learn these skills at no cost.

Members of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 military-connected community pose for a group photo with Otto before the 2024 SVO Ball & Awards Banquet.

黑料不打烊鈥檚 military-connected community came together for an evening of celebration during the annual Ball & Awards Banquet. The formal event, held each year during the Spring semester, acknowledges the accomplishments within the veteran community at 黑料不打烊 and serves as an evening of camaraderie before the academic calendar is overtaken by final exams.

SVO President John Nipper 鈥�23, G鈥�24, speaking to guests at the 2024 SVO Ball & Awards Banquet.

SVO President and U.S. Navy Veteran John Nipper 鈥�23, a graduate student in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, opened the formal portion of the evening by acknowledging those military-connected students who will graduate this year, even if they were unable to attend the festivities. 鈥淐ongratulations on all your successes here at 黑料不打烊, you should be proud of all your accomplishments and to now be recognized as an alumni of these hallowed halls. We know that you will do great things in your future endeavors,鈥� Nipper said.

This year鈥檚 event featured a Gatsby-themed evening that welcomed the largest crowd in attendance since the SVO Ball first found a home at the National Veterans Resource Center since its opening. The evening features a formal dinner, guest speaker, awards presentation, announcement of the next year鈥檚 SVO executive board, music and dancing, as well as a raffle drawing to help raise money for next year鈥檚 SVO functions.

Theodore 鈥淭ed鈥� Walker

Theodore 鈥淭ed鈥� Walker, a U.S. Army veteran and guest speaker of this year鈥檚 event, is an assistant professor with the Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering in the College of Engineering and Computer Science. Walker shared some of his own experience in the military as a U.S. Army ranger with multiple deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Walker also spoke about the importance of having an engaged community for veterans, highlighting the unique camaraderie that exists among those who have served and the underlying purpose of the SVO鈥檚 existence.

Each year, both the SVO and Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA) use the event to present their annual awards of recognition. Both organizations present awards to acknowledge the contributions and impact of key individuals, some more light-hearted than others. Among the more impactful awards presented, the following members of the University鈥檚 military-connected community were acknowledged:

The SVO Community Service Award is presented to an SVO member who goes beyond expectations in supporting not just our veteran community but extends their generosity and kindness to all those in need around them. This year, the award was presented to Jose A. Baeza-Ruiz 鈥�25, a business analytics student in the Whitman School of Management.

The SVO Best for Vets award is presented to the student veteran who has done the most to help student veterans succeed both on and off campus. This year, the Best for Vets award was presented to SVO Secretary Raul 鈥淩udy鈥� Rosique 鈥�23.

The SVO acknowledged OVMA Executive Director Ron Novack, a retired U.S. Army Colonel, with the SVO鈥檚 Staff Appreciation Award, and the SVO Faculty Appreciation Award was presented to retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Elizabeth Kubala, executive director of the Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic and a teaching professor at 黑料不打烊鈥檚 College of Law.

Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Elizabeth Kubala (left), executive director of the Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic and a teaching professor at 黑料不打烊鈥檚 College of Law, receives the SVO Faculty Appreciation Award from SVO President John Nipper.

鈥淚鈥檓 truly humbled and honored to be recognized by the SVO for this award. Here at 黑料不打烊, we pride ourselves on cultivating a strong sense of community on campus and in the classroom for our veteran and military-connected students, and I鈥檓 really proud to be part of that collective effort,鈥� said Kubala. 鈥淚鈥檝e seen first-hand how our programs, like the Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic, make a tremendous impact by exposing our campus community to veterans, showing others what it means to serve, and fostering a more supportive and welcoming environment for veterans here at 黑料不打烊.鈥�

The OVMA also presents awards at the event each year to several military-connected students who have gone above and beyond in their dedication to supporting the University鈥檚 military initiatives.

The Danny Facto Student Veteran Work Study Award, presented by the Office of Veteran Success (OVS), is presented in the name of Danny Facto, a decorated U.S. Army combat veteran and Purple Heart recipient. Facto attended the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics with the goal of obtaining a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Social Work and was the first VA work-study student at 黑料不打烊. Facto died tragically in a motorcycle accident in 2009, his death was felt throughout the military-connected community at the University and each year the OVS presents an award in his name to a current VA work-study student they feel is deserving of the recognition.

Retired U.S. Army Colonel Ron Novack (left), executive director of the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (left), presents the OVMA Student Veteran of the Year Award to Raul 鈥淩udy鈥� Rosique.

This year, the Danny Facto Student Veteran Work Study Award was presented to Andrew Patterson, a 3L law student in the College of Law.

The OVMA Student Veteran of the Year Award was also presented at the banquet, awarded to a student veteran who makes the most standout commitment to the military-connected community at 黑料不打烊. This year, the award was presented to Raul Rosique 鈥�24.

To close out the event each year, the SVO announces the results of the SVO鈥檚 Executive Board election. Those elected will go on to serve in the next academic year to help support veteran and military-connected students as well as welcome all students who wish to learn more about service members, veterans and the military community at large.

SVO Executive Board Results:

President: Raphael Grollmus, a graduate student in the College of Arts and Sciences

Vice President: Marriler Wilson, a graduate student in the Maxwell School of Public Affairs and Citizenship

Secretary: Jurgen Baeza 鈥�26, a computer science major in the College of Engineering and Computer Science

Treasurer: Savion Pollard 鈥�25, an electrical engineering major in the College of Engineering and Computer Science

Public Affairs Officer: Tojyea 鈥淭J鈥� Matally 鈥�27, a communications design major in the College of Visual and Performing Arts

Community Outreach Officer: Leonel Aviles 鈥�26, an information management and technology major in the School of Information Studies

鈥淚 first started attending in the Fall of 2021 and have seen a night and day difference within the SVO. The lounge seemed more like a doctor鈥檚 office than a place to eat and gather, and socials were nonexistent due to COVID. Every year since there have been new faces, a significant increase in events and overall, it鈥檚 been more welcoming. It鈥檚 like seeing something being built from the ground up,鈥� said Grollmus, who served for nine years in the U.S. Marine Corps prior to enrolling at the University. 鈥淚f there is something the veteran community as a whole could benefit from or an event that would be excited to do, let us know so we can put it into action.鈥�

The SVO Executive Board for the 2024-25 Academic Year (from left to right):
Public Affairs Officer, Toyyea 鈥淭J鈥� Matally; Secretary, Jurgen Baeza; Vice President Marriler Wilson; President Raphael Grollmus; Treasurer, Savion Pollard; and Community Outreach Officer, Leonel Aviles.

Photos by Sophia Simmons, student in the Advanced Military Visual Journalism

From left to right, U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Skarda, Chancellor Kent Syverud and U.S. Army Lt. Col. Matthew Coyne at the 107th Chancellor鈥檚 Review and Awards Ceremony.

During the 107^th Chancellor鈥檚 Review this year, more than 70 scholarships were presented to cadets from the University鈥檚 two Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs. Cadets from the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force ROTC programs were acknowledged by more than 23 scholarship programs made available by supporting organizations as well as the generosity of esteemed supporters of the University鈥檚 military-connected initiatives.

U.S. Army ROTC Cadet Luke Bonenberger, a senior in the聽 College of Engineering and Computer Science, and U.S. Air Force ROTC Cadet Emily Weaver, a senior聽 in the College of Arts and Sciences, were both recognized with the top honors of the Harvey S. Smith Memorial Award for placing in the top 10 percent of their class and upper 25 percent of their school鈥檚 class ranking.

U.S. Army ROTC Cadet Luke Bonenberger, a senior in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, was awarded the Harvey S. Smith Memorial Award.

鈥淚t鈥檚 really awesome because it鈥檚 the full four years coming full circle.聽 When you鈥檙e a freshman, looking up to the seniors, you hope to walk across the line one day hoping to be a distinguished military graduate,鈥� says Bonenberger, who will be commissioned as a U.S. Army second lieutenant in the infantry in May. 鈥淚t鈥檚 everything coming full circle and paying off for four years of hard work. It鈥檚 a great opportunity to be recognized and I really appreciate it a lot.鈥�

Weaver, who will also be commissioned in May, will serve as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force after graduating. Weaver was also awarded the ROTC Cadet Endowed Scholarship, the American Legion William P. Tolley Scholastic Excellence Award and the Professor of Aerospace Studies Scholastic Achievement Award.

鈥淚t is an honor to be a recipient of the Cadet Endowed Scholarship. Receiving this award is a testament to the kind of support we have as cadets at 黑料不打烊,” Weaver says. “The generosity of awards such as this scholarship exemplifies the ways in which 黑料不打烊 and its generous donors appreciate and reward military-connected students for the work we do both in and out of uniform.鈥�

Paul Dottle, left, presents U.S. Air Force ROTC Cadet Aizhan Moore, a junior in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, with the Dottle Family ROTC Scholarship.

Cadets from both the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force ROTC were awarded the Dottle Family ROTC Scholarship, as well as the ROTC Cadet Endowed Scholarship, both made available through the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA) thanks to the philanthropy of supporters for the University鈥檚 military-connected initiatives.

The Dottle Family ROTC Scholarship, established by Paul Dottle and Valerie E. Dottle and their family, was awarded to eight cadets this year. The award was presented by Paul Dottle during the Chancellor鈥檚 Review to deserving future leaders in the University’s Army and Air Force ROTC programs in recognition of their hard work, dedication and commitment to service. The eight recipients are:

Retired U.S. Air Force Col. John L. Litzenberger 鈥�72 presents the ROTC Cadet Endowed Scholarship to U.S. Air Force Cadet Emily Weaver, a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Isabella Gardea ’27, James Hrdy ’25, Byron Levi ’25, Bradley Miller ’25, Aizhan Moore ’25 Alejandro Parra ’24, Gabrielle Tetreault ’26 and Jose Venegas ’24.

The ROTC Cadet Endowed Scholarship, established in 2013 by retired U.S. Air Force Col. John L. Litzenberger 鈥�72 and Barbara H. Litzenberger 鈥�71, was presented to two ROTC cadets this year by John Litzenberger during the Chancellor鈥檚 Review. The scholarship is awarded each year to a deserving junior or senior ROTC cadet who is contractually committed to serving in the U.S. Army or U.S. Air Force. The two recipients this year are Giovanna Barsalona 鈥�24 and Emily Weaver 鈥�24.

For more information on how to support military-connected students at 黑料不打烊, visit the and consider donating to one of the many programs and services designed exclusively for military-connected students at 黑料不打烊.

The Office of Veteran and Military Affairs fully funds two career immersion trips each year, one each semester, to a major metropolitan area where military-connected students are introduced to a variety of industries, companies and hiring partners. The students are able to take advantage of these impactful opportunities thanks to the generosity of Paul and Valerie Dottle and their family.

Military-connected students pose for a photo from the main set at WBZ News, Boston’s CBS station.

黑料不打烊 alumni are a prominent component in the success of these free career immersion trips. On this recent trip to Boston, students benefitted from the assistance of Betty Diaz G鈥�22, a graduate of S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. Diaz flung open the doors at WBZ-4, the local CBS station in Boston, paving the way for students to not only get a peek behind the cameras, but also learn about the unique work environment of local news.

“It is an honor to support OVMA鈥檚 mission in providing career-related immersion experiences for student veterans. One of the first meetings with CBS was held at the CBS New York station a few years ago. Many of the students learned so much about what goes into producing a live news telecast and all of the people behind scenes to create what audiences see on their television screens,鈥� says Diaz, director of programs and operations at Paramount Veterans Network. 鈥淲e wanted to recreate this experience at CBS Boston for new students. Our hope is that they walk away exposed to various media opportunities that they may not have considered as a viable option for their college majors.”

Students listen to a presentation at WinnCompanies in Boston.

Janina Rios 鈥�24, a student veteran in the College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA), has experienced the impact of the professional relationship between Paramount and OVMA first hand. Rios, a U.S. Army veteran, was hired through the Paramount Veterans Network to work on video production at CBS Viacom for a year as part of an internship program with Paramount. The experience has not only helped her better understand the workplace she may find herself in after graduation, but also better prepares her for a flourishing career.

鈥淎s someone with a background in television and film, visiting the CBS studio stood out as a highlight. Witnessing firsthand how technology has revolutionized the media industry was eye-opening,鈥� says Rios. 聽鈥淎ttending this trip was a transformative experience that broadened my perspective on career possibilities. It became apparent that versatility is key to thriving in such dynamic environments, where one must adapt and continually expand their abilities.鈥�

For VPA sophomore Tojyea 鈥淭.J.鈥� Matally 鈥�26, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, the immersion trip to New England was his first outing with the OVMA. Matally was assigned to work in communications strategy and operations in the military, where he primarily served as a photographer. For him, the Massachusetts State House was the highlight of the places the group visited in Boston.

鈥淭he immersion trip was really informative and helpful as a reference guide for someone unfamiliar with the corporate or private sector,鈥� Matally says. 鈥淓ven though I have plans of entering the creative industry, it was useful seeing how all the components of a company operate to be a well-oiled machine.鈥�

The immersion trips also offer the students an opportunity to enjoy the local area. Realizing that many of the military-connected students in attendance may have not had an opportunity to visit Boston before, the immersion trip included plenty of opportunity to experience the city’s historical culture.

Students visit the Massachusetts State House in Boston.

This particular trip also afforded the students an opportunity to visit the TD Garden arena to catch the Boston Bruins hockey team host the St. Louis Blues. While the Bruins weren鈥檛 victorious in the National Hockey League matchup, the students walked away from the trip with a newfound understanding of what life in Boston might look like should a job opportunity place them there after graduation.

Throughout the trip, the group took advantage of open doors at a variety of locations, learning about the working environment and labor market of Boston, as well as getting a general feel about what it might be like to live in the city.聽 The seven businesses and organizations they visited throughout the week were

• Boston Bruins at TD Garden
• CBS Boston
• Massachusetts State House
• Raytheon, an RTX Business
• Wellington Management Company
• WinnCompanies
• Zipcar

鈥淭hese immersion trips offer invaluable experiences for our military-connected students,鈥� explains Jennifer Pluta, director of Veteran Career Services at the OVMA. 鈥淭hey expose students to diverse working environments distinct from their military background, while also providing insight into current labor market trends.鈥�

Another important value to these trips, Pluta says, is the ability for the students to meet hiring managers and industry professionals. Those opportunities have turned into quite a few job offers for students after graduation.

鈥淭his initiative reflects our commitment to preparing student veterans for successful integration into the job market post-graduation.聽 We are deeply grateful for the OVMA鈥檚 donors and supporters whose generosity enables us to offer these opportunities at no cost, benefiting both our students and the businesses they aspire to join,鈥� Pluta says.

For more information on career opportunities offered to military-connected students at 黑料不打烊, or learn more about the University鈥檚 commitment to supporting military-connected students achieve their academic goals, visit the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs. Those interested in supporting future career immersion trips can visit .

CPS was integral to 黑料不打烊 being named among the top private schools for online bachelor鈥檚 degree programs for veterans, and that same commitment to military-connected students extends to graduates of the

鈥淪upporting military-connected students and their families is part of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 mission,鈥� says Liz Green, executive director of online student success at CPS who also serves as 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. 鈥淲e are committed to providing accessible pathways for military students to complete an online degree or certificate, and our team of instructors and advisors is trained and equipped to assist in any way we can.鈥�

CPS offers an for graduates of IVMF programs, which grants military-connected students who are IVMF alumni a tuition incentive, bringing their cost down to $350 per credit hour for online undergraduate certificate programs.

The College of Professional Studies offers a market-sensitive portfolio of credit-bearing certificates, including:

• Creative Leadership
• Cybersecurity Administration
• eSports Gaming
• Full Stack Development
• Knowledge Management
• Project Management

The College of Professional Studies was integral to 黑料不打烊 being named among the top private schools for online bachelor鈥檚 degree programs for veterans.

According to the , the project management career field is expected to grow up to six percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for other occupations, with more than 65,000 openings for project management specialists projected annually over the decade.

The D鈥橝niello Institute currently offers a no-cost career pathway for eligible participants to earn either their Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), or the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, saving the service member or veteran up to $3,000 in training and certification expenses on average.

CPS has now gone a step beyond, making IVMF鈥檚 CAPM and PMP certifications even more beneficial to establishing a flourishing career after military service. IVMF alumni and certificate holders who want to continue their education in project management can apply their IVMF coursework to pursuing a bachelor’s of professional studies degree in project management, or an undergraduate certificate in project management.

鈥淥ur support of veterans and military-connected students includes recognizing and acknowledging the value of their non-credit work, training and experiences. The rigor and objectives of the PMP and CAPM courses align tightly with the market-sensitive curriculum in our project management programs,鈥� says College of Professional Studies Dean , an Air Force veteran and avid supporter of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 military-connected initiatives.

One of those initiatives includes adapting to the digital world of certifications and badges for professional networking platforms like LinkedIn. Digital badges not only highlight a prospective employee鈥檚 official certifications and skills, but also establish a level of authenticity and easy validation for the potential employer.

Established through blockchain technology, badges allow hiring managers and employers a quick and easy way to verify that job candidates possess the required skills for specific jobs. Digital badges vary in importance depending on the industry, specific certification and even the individual鈥檚 career goals.

IVMF alumni from the Onward to Opportunity (O2O) program were among the first program graduates to receive digital badges after completing their coursework and examinations, an effort that began in January. IVMF is currently retroactively issuing badges to all cohorts who graduated in 2023.

The badges are issued through the online company Accredible, which, after they are received through email can be displayed on the user鈥檚 LinkedIn profile or shared through their professional networks. So far, more than 8,000 badges have been issued to IVMF alumni through Accredible. As CPS and IVMF alumni services continue to explore where digital badges are a right fit, future participants will likely see an even broader use of this new availability in the labor market.

For more information on 黑料不打烊鈥檚 available programs and services for military-connected students through the College of Professional Studies, please visit . For those interested in learning more about available career training certifications available through the IVMF, please visit .

Cindy Boyd

For Cindy Boyd G鈥�04, the journey toward becoming a military aviator was motivated by a desire to be at the forefront of engineering. She originally showed little to no interest in the military while growing up in Northeast Pennsylvania.

As a self-described scrapper and daughter of a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Boyd initially did not view the military as a viable option until a cousin introduced her to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. However, early on, people began suggesting she pursue an alternative path.

“Even though I was a straight-A student coming out of high school, a member of the National Honor Society, and all of that stuff, I was told it was highly unlikely that I was going to get into West Point,” Boyd says. Despite having a stellar academic record, she was advised to have a backup plan for West Point simply because she was a woman.

The prestigious military academy was still in the process of adjusting to the reality of being a co-educational institution. In 1980 the first group of women graduated from West Point and, like other military academies throughout the ’80s and ’90s, change to accommodate women was begrudgingly slow.

鈥淚 was accepted into the class of ’92, and the first year was a struggle because I had a lot of making up to do. The high school I came from didn鈥檛 have a strong STEM program, and I had to catch up to my peers,” says Boyd. “The beautiful thing about West Point is once they invest in you, they have the leaders and the instructional staff there to help you overcome those setbacks.鈥�

Boyd attributes her success to her parents, who instilled in her the drive and determination that played a significant role in overcoming challenges. Out of approximately 1,500 first-year cadets, or “plebes,” Boyd remembers around 150 being women, a number that dwindled to approximately 95 by the time she graduated in 1992 with a degree in engineering.

Upon graduation, Boyd was commissioned into the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant. Having secured one of 16 highly sought-after aviation branch assignments, she underwent rigorous flight training to become a UH-60 Black Hawk pilot. At that time, being a woman and a military aviator was a significant accomplishment. However, Boyd’s determination and grit propelled her to continually seek out the next big challenge, and years later she would become one of the very few women in the military at the time to command a company.

Cindy Boyd G鈥�04 flying a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk

“In the early ’90s, there weren’t many women in officer roles, even fewer who were in charge, so you get a lot of visibility. You’re going to have your naysayers,鈥� says Boyd, who served as the commanding officer of a combat aviation unit at Fort Bragg, now known as Fort Liberty, in North Carolina. “I had a lot of people who did not invest in my success, but I had to find a way to overcome it.”

Boyd reminisces about the immense pride she felt in commanding troops, and while leading troops is a pinnacle of achievement for most military leaders, Boyd says she had other goals that were out of reach in the Army. She began shaping what she wanted her post-service life to look like.

鈥淲hen I was in the military, I really wanted to become a maintenance test pilot, but as a commissioned officer that wasn鈥檛 really endorsed,鈥� says Boyd. 鈥淚t was one of those things where, just like back in the ’80s when people told me I would never get into West Point鈥� when people say that, that鈥檚 when I go and do it.鈥�

Civilian life did not curb Boyd’s trailblazing determination. A position with Carrier Corporation brought her to Central New York after leaving the Army. Soon after she leveraged her military and engineering networks in the region;聽 she became one of the first women hired by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation as a test pilot.

“Back in the day, there was a woman who helped Igor Sikorsky; she’s really considered to be their first woman test pilot. But it had been 80 years since they had another one, and so they hired me,” says Boyd. “I had the engineering degree, the military background and the flying qualifications. I think they brought me in with a little bit of risk, but they figured they could train me, and I loved it.”

As a test pilot for Sikorsky, which produced the UH-60 helicopter she flew in the Army, Boyd developed an interest in the business aspect of engineering. Although she could have settled for her day-to-day work as a test pilot, her curiosity drove her to apply to the , where she pursued a master’s degree in business administration.

Cindy Boyd G鈥�04 with her husband, daughter and family dog enjoying the Adirondacks.

“黑料不打烊 was perfect because of the quality of the instruction, the professors, and of course because it was in my backyard. Working with the program managers at Sikorsky, I saw the value in making good, solid business decisions, and I wanted to understand that world a lot better because I didn’t see myself flying for the next 30 to 40 years,” says Boyd.

After completing the MBA program at Whitman, Boyd initially took a position with nearby Lockheed Martin as a contract manager, later transitioning into program management. Today, she continues to work today as a senior manager in program management, focusing on the company’s development of U.S. Navy airborne radar programs.

Boyd resides with her husband and daughter on a plot of farmland outside of 黑料不打烊. She acknowledges the barriers placed before her simply for being a woman working in environments where men had traditionally barred women from entry, but still encourages young women to seek out mentors, both women and men, who will provide honest feedback.

“Looking back at it now, having been through a lot more leadership experience, I think I would have reached out and networked more with not only my peers but with my senior leadership to get their mentorship,” says Boyd. “That was a real gap in my life experience back then, and I value it now more than ever.”

Eric Watson

鈥淥ne of the biggest things I learned during my time at 黑料不打烊 is association with my fraternity brothers,鈥� says Watson, who was a member of Omega Psi Phi. 鈥淭hey helped me understand how to be a part of a group, or a team, and how to work collectively with others.鈥�

Watson had grown up as a traditional latchkey kid and being the only child of a single mother had made him fiercely independent. At an early age, Watson learned to cook for himself, care for himself, and take care of things around the house while his mother worked two, sometimes three jobs to pay the bills.

Watson says his mother鈥檚 determination still serves as a guiding beacon and that her work ethic continues to be an influence on him today.

鈥淎t the end of the day, I didn鈥檛 even graduate with a computer science degree. I was just into the philosophical aspect of computer science,鈥� says Watson, who graduated with a degree in philosophy from the with a minor in math. 鈥淭he philosophy behind all of it, and how it works in the background was intriguing to me, but the actual X鈥檚 and O鈥檚 of the operations of making things happen was just not my cup of tea at the time.鈥�

As a young man, another thing that intrigued him was the prospect of doing something exciting after graduation. Watson was in the Schine Student Center while a U.S. Marine Corps selection officer had a table display set up featuring a video of the various military aircraft used by the Marine Corps. The thought of flying seemed cool, and after speaking with the recruiter about how to become a pilot, Watson’s intrigue became focused on a goal.

The fact that the Marine Corps was the only branch that offered a guaranteed flight option was the most appealing aspect to Watson, who reported to Officer Candidate School at Marine Corps Base Quantico in April 1992. If Watson had joined another branch, there was a chance he would have been ed in another job, something Watson didn鈥檛 care for.

After two years of flight training in Pensacola, Florida, Watson became a certified AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter pilot. The Cobra is a lightweight, nimble attack helicopter that provides close air support for Marine Corps ground forces. Cobra pilots are often forward deployed, meaning the Marines they support from the air are also the same Marines they eat meals with. When Watson spoke to ground units on the radio while he was in the air above them, it wasn鈥檛 a stranger鈥檚 voice speaking back to him, and Watson’s voice was often a welcome relief for his fellow Marines on the ground.

Watson bounced around between flying and serving in staff positions as a commissioned officer. A few promotions later, Watson wound up switching platforms to fly the UC-35 Cessna Citation, a small business jet the Marine Corps uses for passenger and cargo transport. Watson flew the Citation around the world, in and out of places like Qatar, Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait and Jordan among others.

鈥淔lying was great, I could still fly today but it would take the money away from my kids鈥� activities,鈥� says Watson, who with his wife, Tammie, has raised four children; Erykah, Taneya, Eric, and Teyana, ranging in age from 15 to 27.

鈥淚 think, for me, it was just being exposed to the different cultures around the world and being able to go different places and see different things that I never would have experienced had I not been in the Marine Corps.鈥�

Upon retirement, Watson transitioned within the Department of Defense from the U.S. Marine Corps to the Defense Health Agency. It was here he combined his interest in computers and technology with his background in managing operations as a Marine Corps officer as an information technology project manager.

鈥淚 think anything we do in our staff jobs as Marines is, in some way, shape, or form, associated with some type of project, it鈥檚 very project-oriented work and that was a natural progression for me and my career if I wasn鈥檛 going to fly,鈥� says Watson, who earned his project management professional (PMP) certificate and became an Information Technology (IT) project manager after his military service.

Watson still works as a project manager in IT, but just like in his Marine Corps days, he鈥檚 focused on protecting people. Watson now works for the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau, protecting consumers from predatory practices by banks, credit lenders and credit reporting companies alike. While not the same as flying attack helicopters and business jets, Watson says he leans on his military experience to find success in his current career.

鈥淢y military background definitely helps with the leadership and the prioritization of work. It helps in that it lets me maintain a level head in different situations and scenarios,鈥� says Watson.

Living in Maryland, Watson now enjoys the opportunity to connect with other 黑料不打烊 alumni in addition to his fraternity brothers and fellow veterans in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) area. Special events on campus bring him back from time to time, but technology helps him stay connected to his friends too.

鈥淵ou lose contact with a few people over the years, but then there鈥檚 a mechanism to reach back out and get back in contact with things like Facebook and social media,鈥� says Watson. 鈥淚 had a blast while I was at 黑料不打烊, but it鈥檚 always been the people that I鈥檝e had a blast with while I was there, and still have fun with today.鈥�

The connection to campus has encouraged Watson to give back to the community that had a distinct impact on his life. To support the , which provides critical financial assistance, leadership training, and alumni mentors for underrepresented students at 黑料不打烊, Watson established the Our Time Has Come Eric R. Watson Family Scholarship. Watson鈥檚 scholarship will contribute to those efforts with a preference towards military-connected students.

For more information on supporting the Our Time Has Come Eric R. Watson Family Scholarship, or to learn more about programs to support underrepresented students at 黑料不打烊, please visit the .

U.S. Army veteran Benetta Dousuah G鈥�25 (center) poses with two of her fellow service members.

In reflecting on her resettlement experience, Dousuah expresses deep gratitude for the social workers who played a pivotal role in providing stability for her family, especially considering Liberia’s dire circumstances during the 2014 West Africa Ebola Virus outbreak, the worst in recorded history. In the remote villages scattered throughout West Africa, young women are often an indicator of viral outbreaks since they often serve as caretakers in their rural communities.

The enduring memories of U.S. Army soldiers providing humanitarian aid in her homeland influenced Dousuah’s decision to enlist in the military. While she was initially drawn by the educational benefits like the post-9/11 GI Bill, her desire to give back and assist those in need also significantly influenced her choice.

鈥淎fter we came here from Liberia, I remember seeing soldiers helping out on the news. At the time it spoke to me, and I wanted to reciprocate that same energy, so I chose to enlist in the Army,鈥� says Dousuah.

Dousuah served as a unit supply specialist, a crucial role in the logistical backbone supporting the U.S. military’s global presence. The military鈥檚 logistical units often play a vital role in humanitarian operations, particularly in remote areas with limited infrastructure.

Benetta Dousuah and her daughter pose with a dolphin.

In 2014, the U.S. Army responded to the Ebola outbreak in Liberia by constructing specialty field hospitals and providing essential medical services throughout the region. By 2021, Dousuah, now a Sergeant in the U.S. Army and a mother to a young daughter, found herself offering the same kind of assistance to refugees that her family was shown when they fled Liberia

鈥淲e were deployed to Indiana to help with the Afghan refugee resettlement process,鈥� says Dousuah, who identified parallels between her experiences coming to the U.S. and the Afghan families she assisted. In addition to her regular duties, she contributed to developing classes for children and volunteered as a teacher. This direct involvement inspired a long-term goal of establishing a school in Liberia.

鈥淚 plan on going back to Liberia after graduate school just to get the idea of what I need to do first, but ultimately I want to get the foundation going to try and build, and then open, a school there,鈥� says Dousuah.

As an Army veteran, Dousuah is committed to supporting service members and veterans dealing with mental health challenges. Her motivation stems from personal experiences working with soldiers struggling to access adequate behavioral health services and recognizing the insufficient support for Black women in particular.

Benetta Dousuah G鈥�25 (lower right) with other student veterans during a student veteran career emersion trip to Washington, D.C.

鈥淥ur mental health is not taken as seriously as it should be. If I鈥檓 experiencing social anxiety I may not be comfortable in the situation, but that鈥檚 not how people see it,鈥� says Dousuah. 鈥淭hey just label us as angry, and it puts a lot of pressure on us when it comes to our mental health.鈥�

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, women veterans aged 26 or older are among the most vulnerable members of the veteran population when it comes to suffering major depressive episodes. Dousuah sees her studies as a way to integrate both goals.

鈥淲hile my concentration is on the clinical side of social work, I鈥檝e also been able to take AIP (Advanced Integrated Practice) classes, which are more policy-related in a way,鈥� says Dousuah. 鈥淢y classes are helping me implement what I鈥檓 learning into the idea of building the school.鈥�

Dousuah also seized an opportunity to assist her fellow veterans by interning with the .

鈥淭he work that I do in my internship is compelling because I get to help other veterans, particularly veterans like me or going through things I鈥檝e been through. It鈥檚 helped me understand the whole holistic aspect of connecting veterans to resources, some of which I knew nothing about before,鈥� says Dousuah.

To learn more about military-connected students at 黑料不打烊, or the programs and services available to them, please visit the website.

The daylong event was organized and guided by the Veteran Career Services staff and included an evening interactive learning opportunity about dinner etiquette for meals during a professional setting.

While military service is often seen as an advantage in the hiring process, hiring managers may struggle to fully comprehend the valuable experience that veteran applicants bring to the table. Similarly, veterans may be uncertain about leveraging their military experience as a bargaining chip during compensation negotiations.

Participants mingle at the inaugural Veteran Career-Ready Bootcamp.

Michelle Johnson, a retired U.S. Army sergeant major and current doctoral candidate in the , emphasizes the challenge for corporate hiring managers and recruiters.

“It is sometimes difficult for them to fathom the scale and scope of the responsibilities placed in the hands of service members because that paradigm doesn’t work in the corporate world, where experience and leadership come with time,鈥� Johnson says.聽“In the military, experience comes swiftly, and leadership starts on day one. It’s not unusual for a 19-year-old to lead a nine-person team in a foreign nation, or for a 22-year-old recent college graduate to help a war-torn community build a local government from the ground up.”

This marked the first time such a daylong event was held for military-connected students at 黑料不打烊. Although the OVMA provides various programs and services to better prepare student veterans for the job market, scheduling a full day of programming during the academic year poses challenges. The success of the event was partially attributed to the support of OVMA’s recent corporate sponsor, Visions Federal Credit Union.

“Visions was thrilled to support the Veteran Career-Ready Bootcamp. Programs like this are exactly why we saw a partnership with the OVMA as a perfect fit,鈥� says Timothy Strong, director of branding and public relations for Visions Federal Credit Union. 鈥淭he continued emphasis on providing the military-connected community with skills to benefit them in and out of the classroom fits perfectly with our mission.鈥�

A presenter from Visions Federal Credit Union shares expertise with participants.

Participants began the day gaining valuable insights from veteran alumni who recently graduated. The panel shared their experiences in leveraging resources and strategies to secure jobs after graduation, along with insights into new changes in the labor market.

Afterward, Lauren Meyer, an administrative specialist with the , led the participants through the exercise to personalize the day’s lessons. Throughout the day, participants received instruction on resume writing, optimizing LinkedIn profiles, building a personal brand and even obtained free professional headshots.

“I particularly enjoyed the LinkedIn session because I learned about keywords to use, how to make my profile more engaging for employers, and how to use the built-in artificial intelligence features to my advantage,” says Priscilla Cruz 鈥�24, a senior in the enrolled through the U.S. Army’s Early Commissioning Program. “During the lecture, I updated my experience section based on the advice I was given and added media to showcase my work.”

In the evening, participants were treated to a formal dinner in the Bisignano Grand Hall. However, instead of celebrating, the participants focused on learning the intricacies and history of formal dinner etiquette, taught by Robert Shutt, a professional etiquette educator and author. The students discovered that many present-day rules of dinner etiquette have origins in military customs and courtesies. Afterward, members of the military-connected community on campus joined the participants for an evening of networking and camaraderie.

Robert Shutt, professional etiquette educator and author, (standing) instructs participants at a formal dinner.

The seminar occurred just days before the OVMA hosted a career networking reception for military-connected students at the University. This biannual event attracts hiring managers and employers from various industries seeking to hire veterans and military family members, providing student veterans valuable one-on-one time to showcase their talents and inquire about potential job placements after graduation.

“We realize that most of our military-connected students are pursuing higher education for a specific career choice in their post-service lives,” says retired U.S. Army colonel Ron Novack, executive director of the OVMA. “We are always searching for new and engaging ways to support our military-connected students, including developing innovative programing like this and offering services aimed at helping them take advantage of any opportunity to better prepare themselves for the next chapter in their lives.”

Veteran Career Services plans to host the career boot camp every other year, ensuring undergraduate student veterans have ample opportunities to participate. Those interested in the programs and services offered to military-connected students are encouraged to .

More than 20 people from the University鈥檚 military-connected community attended the 16th Annual SVA NATCON this year.

This year, the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs sponsored 13 student veterans to attend NATCON in Nasveville to include conference admission, lodging, and travel, a gesture made possible by the generosity of Veteran Legacy Fund donors.

According to U.S. Navy veteran John Nipper 鈥�22, G鈥�23, who serves as the president of the Student Veterans Organization, the event proved to be an outstanding success.

鈥淭he conference provided a plethora of sensational job opportunities and unparalleled networking experiences with industry giants such as EY, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and more,鈥� says Nipper, a graduate student in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

As a chapter of the SVA, the Student Veterans Organization plays a crucial role in keeping its members informed about G.I. Bill benefits and the latest educational opportunities available to veterans nationwide.

In addition to the student veterans, 黑料不打烊 is well-represented by faculty and staff at NATCON each year. The D鈥橝niello Institute for Veterans and Military Families consistently sends staff to NATCON, contributing valuable research briefs on current issues impacting student veterans, military families and service members today.

Rosalinda Maury, the director of applied research at the IVMF, expressed the significance of presenting at the SVA National Conference. 鈥淚t was a profound opportunity to highlight the critical research conducted here at 黑料不打烊. It鈥檚 a testament to our commitment to enhancing the lives of veterans through education and entrepreneurship,” Maury says.

Maury, alongside other research staff from the IVMF, engaged in several presentations in Nashville, covering topics from the basics of entrepreneurship for veterans to veteran employment trends. In some instances, they were joined by veterans from the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs.

鈥淩epresenting 黑料不打烊 at the national conference each year is truly a rewarding experience. This university is well known for its historic commitment to veterans, and that shows in our presence at NATCON each year,鈥� says Dwayne Murray, the OVMA鈥檚 deputy director and a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel.

Murray also participated in presentations with the IVMF鈥檚 Linda Euto and Corrinne Zoli. The three spoke about navigating student veteran experiences in higher education and how to foster a community of belonging for military-connected students.

Moreover, attendees had the privilege of hearing from the conference鈥檚 keynote speaker, Merryl Tengesdal, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel who holds the distinction of being the first black woman to break the sound barrier in the SR-71 Blackbird. Tengesdal, who also spoke at the IVMF鈥檚 Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship conference in Jacksonville, Florida, last year, often shares her experiences of overcoming diversity as a black woman in the Air Force prior to the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

Student veterans attending the 16th Annual SVA NATCON were able to enjoy an evening at the historic Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee

NATCON not only offers valuable professional insights but also serves as an opportunity to explore a new parts of the country. Participants from 黑料不打烊 enjoyed an evening at the Grand Ole Opry house, where they were treated to performances by various musicians, including 黑料不打烊 native Tony Trischka, a banjo player who began his music career in the early 60s and has since become an influential figure in the Bluegrass music scene.

Overall, the three-day 16th Annual SVA National Conference in Nashville was an enriching experience for 黑料不打烊’s military-connected community, providing a platform for professional growth, meaningful connections and a celebration of the spirit of entrepreneurship and resilience among our nation’s veterans.

As participants return to classes, the echoes of inspiration and camaraderie will undoubtedly resonate, fostering a supportive community of success at 黑料不打烊 that will continue to make it 鈥渢he best place for veterans.鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 basically a nationwide association that brings certifying officials together to educate them,鈥� says Mickinkle, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps after earning her undergraduate degree. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs; we work very closely with them, but they don鈥檛 fund our activities.鈥�

Kari Mickinkle 11, G鈥�22, a school certifying official with the Office of Veterans Success, assists a student veteran during the 2023 Office of Veteran and Military Affairs Fall Orientation for new military-connected students.

黑料不打烊 employs at least three full-time staff members whose primary purpose is ensuring military-connected students receive their educational benefits without interruption to their academic goals. That small team plays a crucial role in the University鈥檚 success with consistently ranking among the top colleges and universities for veterans’ education.

According to Keith Doss, director of the where Mickinkle and the other school certifying officials work, the role of certifying officials is imperative to veterans successfully navigating the complex administrative requirements between colleges and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

鈥淭he importance of AVECO cannot be understated. They coordinate conferences and events that are key to our school certifying officials鈥� success, which, in turn, leads to the success of our military-connected students,鈥� says Doss, a retired U.S. Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer. 鈥淭he collaboration between the Department of Veterans Affairs and schools across the country is imperative, and AVECO helps cut through the red tape when understanding, and ultimately processing, VA education benefits.鈥�

Mickinkle will assume the duties as AVECO鈥檚 vice president in addition to her work at 黑料不打烊. Since first becoming involved with AVECO, she has done a lot of networking and attended conferences. There,聽 she鈥檚 been able to discuss current issues regarding changes to G.I. Bill benefits and learned how other schools are tackling the issues arising from changes in legislation regarding educational benefits for veterans.

鈥淎s Congress votes on bills pertaining to education benefits for veterans, those decisions are then handed over to the Department of Veterans Affairs to interpret. They then pass down their own understanding of the legislation, and sometimes different schools can walk away with different understandings. AVECO helps alleviate that issue,鈥� says Mickinkle.

According to Mickinkle, one of the biggest advantages is being able to network with school certifying officials across the nation, whether it鈥檚 a serious question or just someone to bounce ideas off of.

鈥淚t鈥檚 helpful to have other people who know about the things you鈥檙e going through and the problems you鈥檙e having,鈥� says Mickinkle.

Having a school certifying official who is also a national leader in the field will have a tremendous impact on the military-connected students at 黑料不打烊. Mickinkle says that the key thing that can make her job easier, and the jobs of other certifying officials, is timely communication.

Mickinkle and other staff members from OVMA will be on hand at the official welcome and orientation event held for military-connected students on Jan. 12. Those eligible students who are interested in attending can find more information on the website.

In honor of their contributions, J. Michael Haynie, vice chancellor and founder and executive director of the D鈥橝niello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF), established the Civilian Champions Wall of Honor in recognition of the accomplishments by those civilian supporters who have tremendously impacted the University鈥檚 goal of being the best place for veterans.

After the initial installation of the first four honorees earlier in 2023, three additional civilians were recently inducted for their profound impact upon the lives of the military-connected community across the nation.

Selene Martin

Selene Martin

Selene Martin was inducted to the Wall of Honor for her long-standing commitment to veterans and military families, particularly regarding mental health and economic mobility.

Martin, a military spouse and daughter of a U.S. Navy veteran, has served countless hours leading advisory councils in the military-connected community.

When she was recognized for her inclusion on the Wall of Honor, Martin was the corporate responsibility director for USAA, and passionately advocated for the IVMF鈥檚 programs and services dedicated to women who are veterans or military spouses.

Martin has since become an associate vice president of corporate affairs for CareSource Military & Veterans, part of a national nonprofit organization that focuses on administering Medicaid-managed care plans.

Maureen Casey

The IVMF鈥檚 success over the years is due in large part to the staff members working to make the organization鈥檚 programs and services operate smoothly. Leading those behind-the-scenes efforts is Maureen Casey, the IVMF鈥檚 chief operating officer.

Maureen Casey

Casey has more than 25 years of experience in the public and private sectors. She previously managed JPMorgan Chase & Co.鈥檚 100,000 Veteran Jobs Mission, which impacted more than 240,000 veterans in less than three years. Casey鈥檚 commitment to veterans and military families has significantly impacted the University鈥檚 goal of being the 鈥淏est Place for Veterans.鈥�

鈥淚 am humbled to be included on the NVRC鈥檚 Wall of Civilian Champions, and to be among such esteemed company is an honor. To say that I was completely surprised by the recognition would be an understatement,鈥� says Casey, whose inclusion was announced in a surprise ceremony during the IVMF鈥檚 convening of its nationwide staff.

Casey says that working to position transitioning service members, veterans and their families to thrive after service is both a privilege and an obligation that civilians have.

鈥淚t is the least that we can do for those who volunteered to serve our country,鈥� says Casey.

Phebe Novakovic ’53

Phebe Novakovic鈥檚 addition to the Wall of Honor comes after a lifetime of dedication to veterans and education. Her earliest days of support came from writing letters to her cousin during World War II. Her cousin, who served in the U.S. Army in the European theater, stated that her commitment to writing him regular letters was a constant source of hope and inspiration for him, and his unit, while overseas.

Phebe Novakovic

Novakovic graduated from the University with a B.A. in education and political science; she also received an M.A. in education from Villanova University. As a military spouse, she has worked for the Department of Defense鈥檚 Education Activity and had an impactful career in education administration.

Novakovic and her family have been extremely supportive of the University鈥檚 military and veteran-connected initiatives, including the creation of a scholarship for undergraduate student veterans and Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets in the memory of her late husband, U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Novakovic.

The IVMF will continue to acknowledge the ongoing support of those civilians working to support the University鈥檚 military and veteran initiatives, now and in the future. Building communities that are prepared to welcome veterans home is at the core of the organization鈥檚 mission, something that will require the commitment of veterans, military families and civilians alike.

鈥淥ur research indicates that more and more military connected families are returning to communities that do not understand them鈥攖heir service and their sacrifice. That is why civilians like those who have this special place on the wall work tirelessly to bridge the civilian/military divide so that our military connected families are given every opportunity for success post service,鈥� says Casey.

To learn more about the D鈥橝niello Institute, its mission and the dedicated staff behind its national impact, visit the page.

The Northrop family, from left to right: William, Gabby (William鈥檚 wife), Dana, John, Kristen and EJ with grandparents Janet and Ed Heinrich

Two of Kristen鈥檚 three sons, William Northrop ’19 and John Northrop ’22, contracted through the , a career path that Kristen says neither she nor her husband anticipated early on. It wasn鈥檛 until high school that it became apparent their middle son might follow in the footsteps of his grandfathers and enter military service.

鈥淏oth my father and my husband鈥檚 father served. My father was in the Air Force; my father-in-law was a Marine. Both were Cold War vets,鈥� says Northrop, assistant director of the Office of Research and Creative Activity at the Newhouse School. 鈥淏oth our families grew up with an admiration and respect for the military that was obviously passed down to our boys.鈥�

The Northrop brothers came to 黑料不打烊 after growing up in nearby Camillus. Kristen had taken a job at the University to take advantage of the dependent tuition benefits offered to employees. Kristen鈥檚 husband, Dana, had graduated from the University in 1986 and worked in the Central New York region.

Brothers William (left) and John Northrop participate in a field training exercise with the Stalwart Battalion.

All three of their sons attended the University, but each pursued widely different degrees. Kristen鈥檚 oldest son, E.J., graduated from in 2018 and now teaches at the nearby Public Service Leadership Academy at Fowler High School with the 黑料不打烊 City School District.

William, her middle son, graduated from the College of Engineering and Computer Science with a degree in civil engineering. John, the youngest of the brothers, graduated with a degree in sociology from the College of Arts and Sciences. Both William and John also contracted with the Stalwart Battalion and are now serving in the U.S. Army as commissioned officers.

鈥淓arly in Will鈥檚 time in high school, he went to a lacrosse camp at West Point Military Academy. He鈥檚 always liked a very structured environment and has a 鈥楾ype A鈥� personality,鈥� Kristen says. 鈥淟ater, he went to Boys State and really liked that regiment; the routine and detail of it all but not the politics.鈥�

While the boys attended games and other events on campus while growing up, 黑料不打烊 wasn鈥檛 an automatic choice for them. During his junior year of high school, William toured the campus and spoke with Eric Schaertl, the recruiting operations officer for Stalwart Battalion. After seeing the resources and opportunities available to students, he solidified his choice for which direction he would go in life.

John was not far behind, entering his freshman year at 黑料不打烊 while William was entering his final year of college. The brothers had plenty of opportunity to spend time together on campus. Both competed on the same club lacrosse team, and both were cadets together in the same ROTC detachment.

John wasn鈥檛 interested in following in Will鈥檚 exact footsteps, though, and worked hard to make sure he wasn鈥檛 seen as just the youngest Northrop brother. Kristen recalls that John鈥檚 experience was a bit more challenging, as most of his college experience was spent amid hardships of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

鈥淎t one point, John was looking at opportunities with other colleges and universities including Texas A&M; he was considering a transfer,鈥� Kristen says. He quickly realized the benefits he was receiving at 黑料不打烊 were pretty hard to compete with, referring to the free room and board benefit offered to ROTC cadets who receive the national scholarship.

Kristen says that the boys kept pretty busy throughout their time on campus, limiting how much time she did see them around, but bumping into them from time to time was unavoidable.

鈥淚t was, and still is, such a feeling of pride walking around campus, or up to the Quad, and you see the cadets in their uniforms,鈥� Kristen says. 鈥淚 would run into them on occasion, they took their role as a cadet very seriously. If they came into my office, it was, 鈥榊es sir鈥� or 鈥楴o sir鈥� to my colleagues and my boss. They were always very respectful.鈥�

John (left) and William Northrop

The level of professionalism is something she says she continues to notice among ROTC cadets. The location of her office has given her opportunities to engage with underclassmen and ROTC cadets alike, both using spaces for group projects or leadership labs.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not that a bunch of Army cadets can鈥檛 鈥榶uk it up鈥� or whatever, but that just wasn鈥檛 the case. I could hear their conversations amongst each other, they were very different, always very focused. The ROTC cadets are always respectful to their cadre and professors alike, and they dress appropriately even when not in uniform, always upholding their cadet image.鈥�

Since graduating, both of the Northrop brothers have pursued their dreams of going into Army aviation. William is currently a captain and pilots the AH-64 Apache helicopter; John is currently a lieutenant and has just completed his CH-47 Chinook helicopter flight training. Both, Kristen says, recognize the importance of their background and experience here with 黑料不打烊.

鈥淭hey understand the importance of the ROTC program to the school, the longevity of the program being here. They talk it up amongst their colleagues with great pride, and I think that both of them would say their training here with Stalwart Battalion prepared them well to launch their careers,鈥� Kristen says.

For more information on the benefits available for aspiring military officers or to learn about the benefits of the Reserve Officer Training Corps at 黑料不打烊, please visit the .

USAF Lt. Col. Michael Skarda and his wife, Jess, in front of an RC-135 military aircraft

In 2002, Skarda joined the Air Force鈥檚 Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program at the University of Maryland, a path he had already seen his older brother successfully navigate and wanted to pursue for himself.

Skarda says the time was memorable for him in many ways. His brother was able to come back to campus and take part in the commissioning ceremony, providing a brotherly welcome into the officer corps of the U.S. Air Force.

Additionally, Skarda recalls being an ROTC cadet prior to the U.S. entering combat operations in Iraq. When the invasion began in 2003, he says many of his fellow cadets stepped back from their decision to join the military. His familial bond and desire to serve guided Skarda forward into what would become a remarkable career.

Currently, Skarda serves as the ranking officer for 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Air Force ROTC detachment, where he and a small staff of cadre prepare the next generation of military officers for the challenges that await them in an uncertain world.

Michael Skarda in front of a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicle in Niger.

鈥淭he challenge for the cadets, as I look forward in this global security environment that we operate in, is wondering where the next spot will be,鈥� says Skarda. 鈥淲e know the Pacific will certainly be active, but things are changing so rapidly that I hesitate to say any one location in the world is going to be the next hotspot.

Skarda鈥檚 first experience with real-world operations came early in his career. One of his first tours placed him in Germany where, as an intelligence officer for combat aviation units, he found himself amidst the struggles of a post-Cold War Europe and the demands of new, growing conflicts within the Global War on Terrorism.

Not long after Germany Skarda served aboard the RC-135, a signals intelligence reconnaissance aircraft that supports military and strategic leaders with real-time on-scene intelligence collection.

Skarda flew in the skies above Afghanistan supporting operations on the ground, and in his role was responsible for the acquisition and transmission of real-time intelligence information for decision-makers on the ground.

From the Heart of Africa to Central New York

The mission of U.S. Air Force ROTC is to, 鈥渄evelop air and space force leaders of character who are expected to fight and win the nation鈥檚 wars.鈥� Skarda realizes that in today鈥檚 global environment, the cadets he is helping to train and mentor will soon be military officers, some of whom will be in positions to make critical decisions in ways he didn鈥檛 have to face.

Skarda in front of the U.S. Embassy in Niamey, Niger.

鈥淔lexibility and adaptability are going to be absolutely key,鈥� Skarda says. 鈥淎s I look forward there鈥檚 just going to be things where the pace in which things happen is going to be incredible. Flexibility is key to air power to get it correct, and that鈥檚 only going to become more true in the future.鈥�

In addition to flexibility, Skarda credits perseverance for his own success in life. Throughout most of his career, he has been fortunate to get his top choice of job assignment or duty posting. When he decided he wanted to get some experience outside of the intelligence field, however, it required a little more tenacity.

鈥淚 applied to become a foreign area officer and I actually did not get selected on my first two applications, it is a very selective program, especially amongst those in the intelligence field,鈥� says Skarda. 鈥淎 good piece of advice for anybody who鈥檚 ever wanted to do anything, persistence is typically the recipe for success. As boring as that sounds, that is often the truth that I鈥檝e discovered.鈥�

As a Foreign Area Officer (FAO), Skarda was at the forefront of the nation鈥檚 diplomatic efforts from within the Department of Defense. According to Skarda, being FAO is what a lot of people think they鈥檙e going to do when they go into military intelligence in the Air Force.

Foreign Area Officers help develop policy positions on regional affairs, helping to make recommendations on security assistance and international agreements. They receive, evaluate, and translate information from national and international agencies to better inform Air Force leadership.

Skarda was assigned to U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), headquartered in Stuggart, Germany. The assignment required him to spend nine months learning French at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California, and then an additional six months traveling to U.S. embassies in Africa to gain regional experience.

鈥淔olks often speak of Africa like it鈥檚 a country, but it is massive. China, the United States, most of Western Europe can all fit into the African continent and still have plenty of space,鈥� Skarda says. After the completion of his time as an FAO, he set his sights on going back into instructing. The ROTC became an obvious choice based on his own experiences.

Time to Give Back

Skarda arrived on campus over the summer, and after the first few months in his new position says he鈥檚 excited to be in this environment, particularly around cadets.

Skarda teaching a group of cadets in the USAF ROTC classroom inside the National Veterans Resource Center.

鈥淎ny time we get to instruct cadets, whatever it is, there鈥檚 this new kind of energy that I feel. After a 17-year career, some of that energy and excitement can leach out over time,鈥� Skarda says. 鈥淵ou start to remember it once you speak to cadets, you remember why you joined, and so it鈥檚 kind of energizing to mentor and raise up聽this next generation of Air Force officers.鈥�

One challenge Skarda will face in the coming years is recruitment. Earlier this year, the U.S. Air Force missed its active-duty recruiting goal for the first time since 1999. Skarda realizes that it鈥檚 more than just a numbers game, the expectations for what officers can achieve have risen, but the population of eligible recruits has dropped over the years.

鈥淪omething like 23 percent of American youth are eligible for military service, only 23 percent,鈥� says Skarda. 鈥淭he cadets that make it into through this program are, in the truest sense of the word, elite; not everyone can do it,鈥� Skarda says.

He does, however, want to make sure those eligible know the opportunities are there.

鈥淒o they at least know about it? Do they know that we鈥檙e here? That we鈥檙e accessible, we have scholarships, and we offer a path toward an honorable line of work in service to our country? We have to continue beating that drum and getting that message out there,鈥� says Skarda.

Those interested in finding out more about the opportunities available in the Reserve Officer Training Corps are encouraged to visit the .

This year鈥檚 celebrations commenced with the release of the Military Times Best for Vets College rankings on Nov. 6, where 黑料不打烊 once again secured a spot in the top 10% of colleges and universities. Such an achievement is only possible due to the unwavering dedication of the University’s faculty and staff, along with a supportive campus community.

From left to right, student veterans Jack Pullano 鈥�24, Benetta Dousuah G鈥�25 and Raphael Grollmus 鈥�24.

Throughout the week, three student veterans and one veteran alumni member of the OVMA advisory board shared their stories with the campus community. Benetta Dousuah G’25, Raphael Grollmus ’24 and Jack Pullano ’24 shared their reflections on their service and how 黑料不打烊 is impacting their post-service lives.

Retired U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Gary Ginsburg ’72, a member of the OVMA advisory board and a graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, spoke about a lifetime of service to those who have served and his selection for a leadership position within a national veterans’ service organization.

The Libraries鈥� Special Collections Research Center, in collaboration with the Department of Digital Stewardship, launched the digital exhibition, 鈥�.鈥� Additionally, library staff created a table display to showcase the work of several student veterans and veteran alumni. A central focus of the display was a recently published book about , a U.S. Army Air Corps pilot during World War II who was a member of the historic Tuskegee Airmen.

On Nov. 10, things kicked off early as more than 230 registered participants arrived on campus in the chilly morning hours for the annual Veterans Day 5K Walk and Run, hosted by the OVMA. The event welcomed participants from the Central New York region onto campus for a run with military-connected students, faculty and staff to build camaraderie and esprit de corps.

The 黑料不打烊 Veterans Day Ceremony official party. From left to right, Shene茅 Bletson; John Nipper 鈥�23, G鈥�24; Hendricks Chapel Dean Brian Konkol; Chancellor Kent Syverud; and Retired Lt. Cmdr. Laurie Coffey L鈥�25. (Photo by Charlie Poag)

After the run, the doors opened at the D’Aniello National Veterans Resource Center to welcome guests for the University’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony. The ceremony featured Shene茅 Bletson, a U.S. Air Force veteran who works in the Office of Inclusive Excellence as an office coordinator; U.S. Navy Veteran John Nipper ’23, G’24, president of the University’s Student Veteran Organization; and , a student in the College of Law who served as the keynote speaker.

“It is crucial that young people of diverse backgrounds and circumstances are exposed to the inspiration and confidence that come from having someone believe in them. 黑料不打烊’s position of educating leaders is a conduit to a better future,” said Coffey, who served for more than 20 years as a combat aviator in the U.S. Navy. “It is through community that we may come together and empower young people to achieve and gain self confidence.”

U.S. Air Force Lt. Cmdr. Sean Stumpf 鈥�07 in the pilot鈥檚 seat of a C-130. (Photo courtesy of Sean Stumpf)

On Nov. 11, the Orange men’s football team faced the Pittsburgh Panthers at Yankee Stadium in New York City, marking 100 years since the two teams came together in 1923 to establish the collegiate football tradition at the historic baseball field. Taking place on Veterans Day this year, the game featured members from the University’s ROTC Color Guard presenting the national colors and a flyover by Lt. Col. Sean Stumpf ’07, a C-130 pilot in the U.S. Air Force.

In a poignant moment during the game, twin brothers and U.S. Army veterans were proudly featured as the game’s Hometown Heroes. The Watts twins both competed on the University’s track and field team in the early 1990s before serving in the U.S. Army. William stood in for both of the brothers on Saturday, as Clarence passed away due to complications from cancer in 2015.

黑料不打烊鈥檚 Hometown Hero presentation to William Watts 鈥�94. (Photo by Dwayne Murray)

Michael Greifenstein, 鈥�27, a military-connected student and broadcast and digital journalism major in the Newhouse School, was among a handful of winners from the OVMA鈥檚 Orange in the City competition, which paid for transportation to and from the game, accommodations in the city, tickets to the game and other 黑料不打烊-related festivities over the weekend.

鈥淕etting to experience the 100th anniversary game, especially from the venue my girlfriend and I were in, was an unforgettable experience,鈥� says Greifenstein. 鈥淕rowing up as a Yankee fan and studying now as a 黑料不打烊 student, this a time I won鈥檛 soon forget.鈥�

From 黑料不打烊 to New York City, OVMA Deputy Director Dwayne Murray ’91 played a crucial role behind the scenes to ensure a smooth celebration of Veterans Day at 黑料不打烊. Murray, who grew up in the Bronx and also competed on the University’s track and field team with the Watts Twins, shared his reflections on the weekend’s events.

鈥淪pending time in Bronx while representing 黑料不打烊 and the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs on Veterans Day was an enchanting experience,鈥� says Murray, who grew up close enough to Yankee Stadium to hear the cheers after a home run. 鈥淔rom the color guard and the flyover by one of our very own alums to the hometown hero presentation, Veterans Day just meant a little bit more this year.鈥�

For more information about OVMA, or how you can support the University’s goal of being the “Best Place for Veterans,” visit the OVMA website at veterans.syr.edu.

Robin Michel Caudell

黑料不打烊 Press has announced that “Black Heel Strings: A Choptank Memoir” by Robin Michel Caudell is the 2023 Veterans Writing Award winner.

Caudell is an award-winning Press-Republican staff writer. Her work-in-progress is a speculative documentary, “Witness Tree at Union Road,” in collaboration with The John B. Moore Documentary Studies Collaborative at Skidmore College and the North Country Underground Railroad Historical Association, of which she is a founding board trustee.

Her poetry has been anthologized in national and international publications. A native of Maryland鈥檚 Eastern Shore, Caudell, mother to Nikki, is a graduate of the University of Maryland at College Park and Goddard College. She is an alumna of Cave Canem, Gotham Writers Workshop, Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown and Bread Loaf Writers鈥� Conference. She served in the U.S. Air Force and was a John L. Levitow Honor Graduate.

Veterans Writing Award judge praised Caudell鈥檚 work, noting “The author鈥檚 gifts recall Toni Morrison. Sentence after sentence reads like poetry. The earth and sea come alive through her words, as though the author’s language gave birth to the natural world itself. Simply stunning.”

黑料不打烊 Press, in cooperation with the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF), established the Veterans Writing Award in 2019. The mission of the award is to recognize the contributions of veterans to the literary arts, shine a light on the multivalent veteran experience and provide a platform for unrecognized military writers.

Leading up to Veterans Day, three current student veterans who are active leaders on campus鈥擩ack Pullano 鈥�24, Benetta Dousuah G鈥�25 and Raphael Grollmus 鈥�24鈥攔eflect on their military careers, discuss the valuable lessons they learned through enlisting and share how the University is helping them achieve their academic goals and providing a blueprint for giving back to their communities.

Student veterans (from left to right): Jack Pullano, Benetta Dousuah and Raphael Grollmus

Jack Pullano 鈥�24

Jack Pullano (Photo by Marilyn Hesler)

After earning his high school degree from Parishville-Hopkinton High School in Parishville, New York, Pullano couldn鈥檛 wait to enlist in the U.S. Air Force. He was so eager to serve his country that he took the first assignment he could: as a refueling journeyman for planes and helicopters.

鈥淢y dad told me I should wait it out and not do this contract because he didn鈥檛 think I would like the work, but I was a young, stubborn 18-year-old who didn鈥檛 want to listen to him,鈥� says Pullano, a health and exercise science major in the who is involved in the 黑料不打烊 Student Veteran Organization. 鈥淭hings played out in my favor. I didn鈥檛 enjoy refueling, but I was lucky to be on an Air Force Special Operations Command Base where there was a special fuel duty called the Special Operations Forward Area Refueling Point Team [FARP] that supports special operations command in combat locations. The tryout I had to go through for FARP was intense, and that experience started me down the path that led to 黑料不打烊,鈥�

Branch of the military: U.S. Air Force, serving on the Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, helping fuel different kinds of aircraft. In his third year, Pullano was deployed to Afghanistan as part of a three-man FARP team. He served four years in the Air Force.

Pullano served four years in the U.S. Air Force, helping fuel different kinds of aircraft.

Why serve? 鈥淏ecause of my parents, Jim and Kelly. My dad joined the Air Force when he was young like me, doing one enlistment and then pursuing his education. My parents were always involved in my community growing up, especially with the sports I played. Seeing that community involvement probably instilled in me the service aspect that drives me today.鈥�
Why 黑料不打烊? 鈥淚t was my personal interest in the human body from the intense physical tryout to get on the FARP team. I became interested not only in working out, but in what was causing changes to my body. I was learning about the human body by watching YouTube videos on how different muscles work. When I was looking at colleges, I wanted to pursue something I was interested in, and exercise science stood out to me. 黑料不打烊 has a strong program.鈥�
How do you want to make a difference when you graduate? 鈥淧art of why I joined the military was the service aspect. Service was a goal of mine since I was young. When I got out of the Air Force, I wanted to continue to serve in ways that could be impactful to the community. Physical therapy drew my attention because of my past experiences and my drive to work one-on-one with patients trying to overcome an obstacle in their life. I鈥檓 currently interning at the VA [Veterans Affairs] Medical Center and that really opened my mind that I could not only continue with service that impacts people, but I could do it in the VA system, helping veterans with physical therapy.鈥�

Benetta Dousuah G鈥�25

Benetta Dousuah

When Dousuah was in the U.S. Army, she says soldiers dealing with mental health issues didn鈥檛 discuss their struggles openly, instead choosing to bottle up their emotions and their issues. Seeing the stigmas associated with mental health inspired Dousuah to pursue a master of social work degree from the Falk College.

鈥淚 want to be that person who lets you know that it鈥檚 okay to seek help if you鈥檙e struggling. I want to be that voice that says there shouldn鈥檛 be a stigma among military members who want to seek behavioral health and mental health help,鈥� Dousuah says. 鈥淲hile I was in the service, a lot of people told me they were scared to seek help because they wouldn鈥檛 be promoted or they would be judged. I started going to behavioral health to let the soldiers know that it鈥檚 okay to admit you need help while bringing awareness to mental health,鈥�

Branch of the military: Served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army. Stationed at both Fort Hood (now Fort Cavazos in Texas) and Fort Drum (Watertown, New York), Dousuah was involved in supply logistics, ensuring her company had everything they needed, from arranging broken equipment repairs to ordering supplies.

Dousuah was a sergeant in the U.S. Army involved in supply logistics.

Why serve? 鈥淲hen I was younger, my mother used to remind me that I wanted to be a police officer. I don鈥檛 know why; all I know is from an early age I wanted to serve. The military allows you to go to college for free after your service is over, and that really appealed to me. I鈥檝e always known I wanted to earn a college degree and be part of something bigger than myself.鈥�
Why 黑料不打烊? 鈥淚 wanted to be somewhere where I could not only feel at home, but still feel like I鈥檓 connected to the military family. I chose 黑料不打烊 because of its reputation as a military-friendly school, but also because of the pride people take in going to 黑料不打烊. It鈥檚 like being in the Army. When you meet someone who was in the Army, we鈥檙e proud of our service and will usually say, 鈥楪o Army.鈥� The same is true for someone who attended 黑料不打烊. They always say, 鈥楪o Orange,鈥� and I鈥檓 blessed to be part of that community. I鈥檝e been introduced to so many resources available to veterans.鈥�
How do you want to make a difference when you graduate? 鈥淩ight now, I鈥檓 the first Wendy Goidel Scholar, and through my work at the , I connect our veterans to the available resources within the community. I have a passion for working with veterans, and this scholarship has been a great fit. When I graduate, I want to work at the VA Medical Center here in 黑料不打烊, but I also want to work with at-risk African American youths. I feel like my story could be every young Black girl鈥檚 dream鈥攃oming from nothing, serving my country in the military and then earning a master鈥檚 degree. I could be an inspiration to others who want to follow my path.鈥�

Raphael Grollmus 鈥�24

Raphael Grollmus (Photo by Marilyn Hesler)

Grollmus didn鈥檛 need to look far in his family tree to understand why military service was important. Grollmus became the sixth member of his family to enroll when he joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 2012. While he enjoyed his time, Grollmus always knew he wanted to utilize the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill to earn a college degree. Today, Grollmus is working toward a bachelor鈥檚 degree with a double major in forensic science and psychology in the .

鈥淭he time I served better prepared me for not only going to 黑料不打烊, but life in general. I learned to think critically and to assess a situation before reacting,鈥� Grollmus says. 鈥淔or the student veterans at 黑料不打烊, there are so many tools and resources available to us. Many veterans I talk with didn鈥檛 know all of the resources they had when they went back to school, but that鈥檚 where 黑料不打烊 has excelled. They take care of their veterans.鈥�

Branch of the military: Served in the U.S. Marine Corps for nine years as a military policeman at the Marine Corps Air Station at Iwakuni, Japan, and at Camp Pendleton (Oceanside, California). Later, Grollmus assisted in combat operations as a forensic analyst stationed in the Middle East in Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain and Iraq. After reenlisting, Grollmus finished his Marine security guard training and was stationed at the U.S. Embassy in Bamako, Mali, and the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Grollmus served in the U.S. Marine Corps for nine years.

Why serve? 鈥淢y mother, brother and sister were all in the Army. My grandfather on my mom’s side, Hank, fought in World War II, while my grandfather on my dad’s side, Paul, fought in the Korean War, so I grew up knowing the importance of service. After I graduated from high school, I enlisted in the Marines鈥� delayed entry program and ended up serving nine years. It goes back to my time as a military policeman. I want to protect people from the bad things that could happen to them. I also want to give back to people who have been wronged or been taken advantage of. I can鈥檛 go back in time and right the wrongs, but moving forward I can help give back to them.鈥�
Why 黑料不打烊? 鈥淲hen we were in the Middle East, we did forensics work and I was lucky enough to go to a monthlong forensic bootcamp. When transitioning out of the Marines, I wanted to study something I actually enjoyed. What we did in the Middle East was probably the most influential work from my military career and I was proud of what I was able to contribute. I wanted to keep doing forensic science and 黑料不打烊 has a great forensic science program. All the classes I鈥檝e taken have been fantastic.鈥�
How do you want to make a difference when you graduate? 鈥淢y dream job would be working for one of those three-letter agencies [i.e., the Federal Bureau of Investigation]. That鈥檚 shooting for the stars, but I鈥檇 love to enter government service. But right now I鈥檓 taking a forensic pathology course that is fascinating and I genuinely love it. Crime scene investigation is a really interesting career path to consider.鈥�

In the 2023 Military Times Best for Vets rankings, 黑料不打烊 once again secured a position in the top 10% of private nonprofit colleges and universities, emphasizing its dedication to providing exceptional educational opportunities for those who have served. Additionally, 黑料不打烊 clinched second place among colleges and universities in the Northeast.

黑料不打烊 has once again received national recognition from The Military Times for how the University supports veterans and military families.

rankings, an editorially independent news project, meticulously evaluates various factors contributing to the post-service lives of service members, veterans and their families. Following extensive surveys of over 325 colleges and universities across the nation, the results were unveiled by the Military Times on Monday.

鈥満诹喜淮蜢肉€檚 place in the 2023 Best for Vets results from the dedication of our faculty, staff, students and alumni to the success of our nation鈥檚 veterans,鈥� says , vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation. 鈥淰eteran and military-connected initiatives across the university have helped grow and enrich our community through multi-disciplinary research, more diverse classrooms, and national convenings to explore the future of our commitment to serving those who have served. Making 黑料不打烊 the nation鈥檚 鈥榖est place鈥� for military-connected students, veterans and their families stems from our unique and historic connection to that community and remains a top priority going forward.鈥�

黑料不打烊 claimed the twenty-third position overall in the Military Times rankings, which used a comprehensive list of categories to formulate their analysis, most of which 黑料不打烊 excels in, including:

• career support;
• VA work-study availability;
• Yellow Ribbon program;
• admissions preference;
• academic support for military-connected students;
• priority registration;
• financial assistance;
• veteran鈥檚 services;
• mental health services; and
• accreditations

黑料不打烊 ranks among the top 10% of colleges and universities across the country for veterans.

A driving force behind 黑料不打烊鈥檚 success is the , a one-stop shop for all things military and veteran-related on campus. The OVMA provides military-connected students with a wide array of essential programs and services, whether they are learning remotely or in person.

鈥淭his ranking is an important benchmark for us as it鈥檚 a primary source of information for the approximately 200,000 service members who leave military service each year. 黑料不打烊 may be known as the 鈥楤est Place for Veterans,鈥� but for those who are less familiar with us, this list may be their first introduction to what opportunities we provide,鈥� says , OVMA’s executive director and a retired U.S. Army Colonel. 鈥淥ur growing team of dedicated staff, many of them veterans themselves, can look proudly on these results and know they have made a difference in the lives of our veteran alumni.鈥�

The University has yet again placed support for veterans and military-connected students among its top priorities within the new . In previous years, the University has overhauled admissions processes, registration procedures, credit transfer policies, new student orientation and housing policies to align with the unique needs of potential military-connected students.

黑料不打烊 is already moving forward to secure better placement on the list in the coming years. Through the growth of its programs and services鈥攊ncluding those offered through the 鈥攖he University continues to be an innovative and supportive home for those who have served our country.

For more information on 黑料不打烊鈥檚 innovative measures to be the Best Place for Veterans, please visit the .

After graduating from Nottingham High School in the 1960s and spending two years at a local community college, Ginsburg arrived on campus to study in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. Like many Newhouse students today, Ginsburg tried his hand at a wide range of communications-related jobs, such as writing stories, taking photos for newspaper articles or reporting for the local broadcast station, WAER. However, communications was not his primary career focus when he decided to enlist in the U.S. Army after graduation.

Gary Ginsberg ’72 is pictured during his active-duty service.

“I served in various disciplines in the military, including engineering, personnel, training and operations,” says Ginsburg. “The communication skills I acquired at the Newhouse School were helpful because no matter where we go or what we do, the ability to walk, talk and communicate is essential.”

Ginsburg served four years on active duty in the U.S. Army, followed by an additional 30 years in the U.S. Army Reserve, eventually retiring as a command sergeant major in 2011. Despite his successful military career, it was the veterans from previous generations that initially drew him into the advocacy work he began while still in the reserves.

“Both my father and grandfather were veterans, serving in World War II and World War I, respectively,” Ginsburg explains. “When I transitioned out of the Army, I had some free time and began volunteering at the Veterans Outreach Center in Rochester.”

The Veterans Outreach Center in Rochester is independent of the Department of Veterans Affairs, just like the one located here in 黑料不打烊.聽 It assists transitioning veterans and their family members by providing financial aid, connecting veterans to community resources, offering various therapy programs and working to reduce veteran homelessness and suicide. This work ignited a spark in Ginsburg and set him on the path to advocate for his fellow veterans at home and eventually across the nation.

Gary Ginsberg ’72

Ginsburg became involved with the Jewish War Veterans (JWV), one of the first veterans service organizations formed to raise awareness of the contributions made by Jewish servicemembers during the American Civil War. Ginsburg joined the local chapter in Rochester but over the years, rose through the ranks to become the JWV’s department commander for New York, where the organization was founded in 1896.

In 2015, Ginsburg was approached to discuss supporting 黑料不打烊’s ambitious goal of becoming the best place for veterans. The opportunity to give back to his alma mater and support veterans was too good to pass up, and he accepted a position on the OVMA’s advisory board.

“I was finishing up my time in the reserves at that point, and I’m very proud of my association with the University, both in terms of Newhouse and now the OVMA,” says Ginsburg, who has been on the advisory board during a period of significant growth for both the OVMA and the University’s initiatives for veterans and military families. “I got to witness the transformation of the National Veterans Resource Center from when it was essentially a hole in the ground to what we have now鈥攁 beautiful state-of-the-art facility.”

For Ginsburg, the ability to support veterans seeking higher education after military service resonates personally. Ginsburg earned a master’s degree from the University of Southern California using his G.I. Bill benefits and now sees the opportunity with the OVMA to give back, acknowledging the meaningful role that 黑料不打烊 played in the development of the G.I. Bill, which greatly impacted him after his service.

In August of this year, Ginsburg accepted the responsibilities of being the national vice commander for the JWV for a one-year term. This role will have him overseeing and supporting the national outreach strategies for the organization. For Ginsburg, it’s an opportunity to advocate for all veterans. Despite the organization’s name, Ginsburg emphasizes that the JWV’s mission includes advocating for all veterans and serving as a voice against hatred and bigotry in all forms.

When reflecting on his time as a student at 黑料不打烊, Ginsburg mentions that he cannot recall ever being invited to have dinner at the Chancellor’s House. However, over the last few years, he has enjoyed this opportunity on several occasions, which he attributes to his affiliation with the OVMA.

“I see the emphasis from senior leadership on campus鈥攖hey aren’t just talking the talk; they’re walking the walk,” says Ginsburg. “I think it’s great to be a graduate of this University and witness it truly becoming the best place for veterans and military-connected individuals.”

A previous year’s Veterans Day writing station in Bird Library.

黑料不打烊 Libraries is celebrating Veterans Day and honoring student veterans from Nov. 8-14 with the following events in the Miron Learning Commons, located on the first floor of Bird Library:

• A book display highlighting several books by or about 黑料不打烊 alumni veterans, including: “,” a new novel about student athlete and veteran Wilmeth Sidat-Singh 鈥�39 written by Scott Pitoniak 鈥�77 and Rick Burton 鈥�80; “Shooter: Combat from Behind the Camera” and “A Photojournalist’s Field Guide,” two books by 鈥�80; and ‘Through The Glass Ceiling to the Stars’ by U.S. Air Force Col. (Ret.) and retired NASA astronaut with Jonathan H. Ward.
• In collaboration with members of the a display of several posters that student veterans created in which they share photos and reflections about their lived experiences and identities as veterans, students and members of the 黑料不打烊 community.
• As in years鈥� past, there will be a letter writing station where Libraries鈥� users are encouraged to send a letter, card or drawing to veterans and active-duty military service members. The Libraries will coordinate distribution of the letters with .

In addition to the aforementioned activities on the first floor, 黑料不打烊 Libraries鈥� Special Collections Research Center in collaboration with the Department of Digital Stewardship launched a digital exhibition this month titled 鈥�,鈥� which details the history of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 commitment to serving veterans, dating back to the Servicemen鈥檚 Readjustment Act of 1944.

On Friday, Nov. 10, the campus community is invited to the National Veterans Resource Center at the Daniel and Gayle D鈥橝niello Building for the observance of the 黑料不打烊 Veterans Day ceremony 2023.

The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 10, and last for approximately one hour. The ceremony will be held in the K.G. Tan Auditorium, followed by a reception in the Bisignano Grand Hall inside the NVRC.

U.S. Marine Corps veteran Kari Mickinkle 鈥�11, G鈥�22 will open the ceremony and serve as the emcee. Mickinkle is a school-certifying official with the Office of Veteran Success.

Student-veteran John Nipper 鈥�23, G鈥�24, a U.S. Navy veteran and the president of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Student Veterans Organization, will speak about his personal experience as a military-connected student on campus as well as the history of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 commitment to veterans and military-connected students. Nipper is currently a graduate student in the pursuing a master鈥檚 degree in public administration.

Shene茅 Bletson, who served in the U.S. Air Force, currently works as the office coordinator in the Office of Inclusive Excellence. Bletson will speak about the history of Veterans Day and the national importance of honoring those who have served in defense of the nation.

黑料不打烊 聽will deliver remarks as well as introduce the keynote speaker for the ceremony. Retired U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Laurie Coffey, L鈥�24 will serve as the guest speaker.

Coffey, a Corning, New York native, served as a fighter pilot in the U.S. Navy after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis. Coffey accrued over 25 combat missions, 100 combat hours, 2,400 flight hours and 300 carrier landings, part of which was featured on a PBS 10-part Emmy-award-winning documentary, “Carrier.”

鈥淲hen I started to look to law schools, 黑料不打烊 stood out for its recognition and acknowledgment of the contributions of Veterans,鈥� says Coffey, who was celebrated as 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Hometown Hero during a recent football game. 鈥淭his has been my first foray into a ‘civilian’ university, and聽 I wasn鈥檛 sure what to expect but I immediately found the environment welcoming. Having the connection with other Veterans on campus is really important to me, the camaraderie of a common experience and background is vital to the transition out of service.鈥�

Those wishing to attend are asked to RSVP through the university鈥檚 . The NVRC has limited accessible parking spaces available for those who require parking accommodations; those who plan on attending are asked to email kslantry@syr.edu if they require access to one of the available parking spaces. All others are requested to find parking available around campus.

Temporary classrooms behind Crouse College, circa late 1940s. University Archives, Special Collections Research Center, 黑料不打烊 Libraries

鈥� new digital exhibition, 鈥�,鈥� is available beginning Wednesday, Nov. 1. Curated by University Archivist Meg Mason, the original physical exhibition was on view at the Special Collections Research Center galleries in 2016. The exhibition explores the dramatic impact of the GI Bill and the subsequent influx of veterans on the University campus following World War II. This online exhibition was a collaborative effort between the Libraries鈥� Department of Digital Stewardship and the Special Collections Research Center.

Between 1945 and 1950, the Servicemen鈥檚 Readjustment Act of 1944, commonly known as the GI Bill, supported some 2.3 million students nationwide. Few universities in the country were more closely identified with the GI Bill than 黑料不打烊. Chancellor William Tolley promised servicemen and women that there would be places waiting for them at the University when they returned, and enrollment more than tripled in the years immediately after the war. Although still a small university by national standards, 黑料不打烊 ranked first in New York State and 17th in the country in veteran enrollment.

Photograph of Red Cross staff serving meals at the Army Air Base in Mattydale on the first night of veteran students鈥� arrival, 1946. University Archives, Special Collections Research Center, 黑料不打烊 Libraries

The exhibition features an array of materials from University Archives that document this critical period in the University鈥檚 history and the associated changes to the campus landscape, social and cultural life, and academic programs. There are photographs of temporary classrooms and housing for veterans, including old barracks and trailers, which filled the campus and surrounding areas; cartoons of veteran student life on campus; aerial shots of the Main and South campuses showing changes in the landscape; personal items from veterans who attended 黑料不打烊; and Daily Orange articles about the impact of veterans on campus.

V-WISE is held biannually across the United States, and while this wasn’t the first time the conference was held in Jacksonville, this cohort turned out to have the largest in-person turnout of more than 190 women actively participating in the three-day conference.

Tiffany Jones (right) assists V-WISE participants during the check-in process for the multi-day conference in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Michael Parks/Daystar Photography)

Prior to arriving in Jacksonville, the participants completed the initial phase of the V-WISE training program, which entails three weeks of online coursework to establish the fundamental principles of entrepreneurship. Following the virtual phase, the IVMF brings the cohort together for a three-day conference filled with in-depth discussions and panel sessions addressing the specific challenges faced by women in the entrepreneurial landscape, especially those with a military background.

According to the IVMF’s , among the top hurdles for female veteran entrepreneurs are the lack of mentors and limited exposure to fellow business owners. V-WISE effectively addresses these obstacles by providing an exclusive platform for military-connected women to build meaningful relationships and find mentorship within the program.

The D鈥橝niello Institute is renowned for its exceptional support for program participants, and University staff members play a pivotal role in ensuring the program’s success. Tiffany Jones, a program coordinator for the IVMF鈥檚 entrepreneurship and small business programs, was at the forefront of the behind-the-scenes operations for the first time in Jacksonville. She emphasized the vital role played by the IVMF’s robust alumni network and their partner organizations in the success of this particular cohort.

From left to right, Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Merryl Tengesdal, the first and only Black woman to fly the U-2 spy plane; IVMF Chief Operating Officer Maureen Casey; and Whitman School of Management Assistant Teaching Professor Elizabeth Wimer. (Photo by Michael Parks/Daystar Photography)

“As the IVMF’s alumni network continues to expand, thanks to all the programs and services offered, our ability to reach eligible veteran audiences through word of mouth has increased. Additionally, our partners and sponsors play a key role by sharing our programs and services with their networks,” says Jones. “One organization in particular, Wounded Warrior Project, the main sponsor for V-WISE Jacksonville, immensely helped with recruitment through their own outreach and engagement.”

In addition to Jones and other IVMF staff members, Whitman School of Management Assistant Teaching Professor Elizabeth Wimer was present at the event. She took center stage on the final day of the conference to deliver a presentation on creative problem-solving.

“Everyone encounters problems that can be solved creatively; even a surgeon faces creative problem-solving challenges,” says Wimer, the granddaughter of two World War II veterans. “What most people get wrong is they take something novel and something useful, then mash them together and call it creative. Just having those elements doesn’t automatically make it creative; you need a process and a guide to generate creative ideas,” Wimer emphasized during her presentation.

The conference provided a comprehensive overview of essential topics for aspiring business owners, encompassing business planning, financial management, marketing and networking. While these skills are crucial for all entrepreneurs, they hold particular value for veterans and military-affiliated women who may be new to the world of business ownership. For many of the participants, however, the most significant appeal was a rare opportunity for networking and camaraderie along with experiencing a program exclusively designed for women and tailored to their unique experiences.

“I really just wanted to be in a room with a bunch of female veterans doing the same thing I am,” says one participant, Kelly Fosberg, a U.S. Army veteran now running her own business as a life and career coach, focusing on helping veterans transition into their post-service careers. “I flew across the country for this, and I’m so glad I did. For any female veteran entrepreneur unsure about starting a business, they should absolutely attend V-WISE to resolve some of those lingering questions.”

V-WISE is set to return to Atlanta, Georgia, in 2024 with the in-person conference scheduled to be held in April at the Omni CNN Center. For those interested in learning more about the program, visit the IVMF鈥檚 website for .

Photos by Charlie Poag

When the Army football team from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point arrived on campus to take on the 黑料不打烊 football team, they were met by a campus community celebrating 黑料不打烊鈥檚 rich military-connected history. The day started with the 9th Annual Stars & Stripes Tailgate, a free event hosted by the for veterans and military families in the local community.

With construction ongoing at the John A. Lally Athletics Complex, this year, the tailgate was held outdoors next to the Women鈥檚 Building at the corner of Euclid Avenue and Comstock Avenue. Those who attended were able to participate in raffle drawings, food and a variety of traditional tailgating activities.

The following is a collection of images highlighting the events that marked the esteemed heritage the university shares with the military-connected community.

U.S. Army Veteran Eric Kessler 鈥�20, G鈥�22 (left), and U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Anthony Ruscitto 鈥�22, G鈥�23, pose for a photo at the 9th Annual Stars & Stripes Tailgate. Both Kessler and Ruscitto were active members of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Student Veteran Organization and served on the organization鈥檚 executive board while enrolled as student veterans at the University.

The University鈥檚 Office of Admissions hosts multi-day introductory tours throughout the year for future transfer students from the nation鈥檚 four Military junior colleges. The students are part of the U.S. Army鈥檚 two-year early commissioning program, and some will select 黑料不打烊 to complete their undergraduate degree requirements before serving as commissioned officers in the U.S. Army. Students from the Georgia Military College and New Mexico Military Institute were able to attend the tailgate and military appreciation game during their visit, showing them an unrivaled experience with a campus that goes the extra mile to support its military-connected community.

黑料不打烊鈥檚 rich military history stretches as far back as World War I when the Student Army Training Corps (SATC) was established. The SATC was the precursor to today鈥檚 U.S. Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). More than 20 Army ROTC cadets took the field to take the Oath of Office, including two from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

黑料不打烊鈥檚 military-connected community consists of many West Point alumni, including College of Law 2L candidate Lu Weierbach, a Captain in the U.S. Army and a 2023 Tillman Scholar. 黑料不打烊 and West Point haven鈥檛 met each other on the football field since 1996, making this game particularly special for many in the local military and veteran communities who have a connection to both universities.

Among those West Point alumni was the game鈥檚 Hometown Hero, Dr. Nicholas Armstrong G鈥�08, Ph.D. 鈥�14. Armstrong graduated from the prestigious military academy in 2000 and was able to attend the last matchup against 黑料不打烊 in 1996. Armstrong went on to serve in the U.S. Army prior to becoming 黑料不打烊鈥檚 first Post-9/11 student veteran. He earned a master鈥檚 degree in public administration and his doctoral degree in public management from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

Before the opening kickoff of the game, Medal of Honor recipient U.S. Army Staff Sergeant David Bellavia, was welcomed onto the field during the coin toss to be recognized as the honorary game captain. The day before the game, Bellavia delivered a speech on the lessons of leadership during an afternoon session for the D鈥橝niello Speaker Series at the National Veterans Resource Center in the Daniel and Gayle D鈥橝niello Building.

Other on-field celebrations acknowledging those who have served the nation and the campus community included the addition of Ben Schwartzwalder鈥檚 name to the Ring of Honor. Schwartzwalder served as a Captain in the U.S. Army鈥檚 82nd Airborne Division during the historic D-Day invasion of Normandy.

Schwartzwalder famously coached the 黑料不打烊 men鈥檚 football team through some of the school鈥檚 most iconic years in football, including the school鈥檚 1959 National Championship season. During that time he coached iconic University football greats like Jim Brown, Floyd Little and Ernie Davis.

In honor of Schwartzwalder鈥檚 service, the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs launched a new scholarship for student veterans and announced the first student veteran to receive the scholarship, U.S. Marine Corps veteran Brian McDonald, 鈥�25, a student veteran at Falk College of Sport & Human Dynamics.

The game concluded with an impressive 29-16 win for 黑料不打烊, but the military-appreciation festivities would continue through the next day when West Point鈥檚 band performed during a joint concert with 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Wind Ensemble at Crouse College鈥檚 Setnor Auditorium. Next year, 黑料不打烊 will travel to Michie Stadium on West Point鈥檚 campus to take on Army in the second game of a four-game slate.

For more information on the university鈥檚 celebration of its military-connected heritage, please visit the .

, of Enterprise, Mississippi, celebrates the grand opening of her business, L’Academie de Cuisine, in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Roth, a U.S. Army veteran, found support in her entrepreneurial journey through the U.S. Small Business Administration and entrepreneurial training services offered by the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families.

In a recent announcement at the White House, Vice President Kamala Harris celebrated the University’s as one of 43 grantees of the MBDA Capital Readiness Program (CRP). This groundbreaking initiative, backed by a $3-million grant, aims to provide invaluable support to veteran-owned businesses across the United States.

“The IVMF has been educating, connecting and supporting veteran and military-affiliated entrepreneurs for more than a decade. This new award will enhance pathways to capital for veteran entrepreneurs, support the development of curriculum to educate future business owners about capital access, and facilitate research and analysis that will inform policymakers and practitioners as to the opportunities and challenges associated with military-connected business ownership in the U.S,” says J. Michael Haynie, vice chancellor of strategic initiatives and innovation and the executive director of the IVMF.

A significant aspect of the program is its commitment to building pathways to success for minority and underrepresented veteran-owned small businesses. The services offered will combine both virtual and in-person opportunities to reach a broad and diverse audience. To extend their reach to businesses located in rural communities, the IVMF has formed a strategic partnership with the . NACCE is renowned as the nation’s leading advocate for transforming underserved communities through community college engagement.

Rebecca Corbin, president and CEO of NACCE, expressed enthusiasm in looking ahead at the opportunities this grant will provide. “NACCE is delighted to partner with 黑料不打烊鈥檚 D鈥橝niello Institute for Veterans and Military Affairs to execute the MBDA Capital Readiness Program. This transformative initiative will reach thousands of underserved and would-be entrepreneurs and advance NACCE鈥檚 vision to create equity and prosperity for all, through our network of over 360 community colleges, universities, and HBCUs.”

Launching and expanding a business can be a daunting challenge for anyone, but for veteran-owned businesses, unique obstacles often stand in the way. This program will focus on veteran-owned businesses in their first ten years of operation and with revenue under $10 million. According to , these young and new ventures are most impacted by the barriers associated with accessing the capital required to launch and grow a business.

Over the next four years, the CRP is expected to provide support to more than 2,500 eligible business owners. This extensive program will include up to six networking events annually, with the goal of generating over $8.5 million in raised capital for socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.

The IVMF’s innovative approach is designed to address the challenges faced by veteran entrepreneurs comprehensively. Their program will offer education, technical assistance, access to capital and vital networking opportunities. These elements are crucial for veteran-owned businesses to harness corporate and federal contracts, which can significantly boost their growth and success.

For more information on how the IVMF supports veteran and military-affiliated entrepreneurs, please visit the .

Nataliia Kalmykova, a Fulbright scholar who became executive director of the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation weeks before the Russian invasion, is shown (center) with 黑料不打烊 faculty during a recent visit. From left are, Richard Naperkowski, researcher with the Institute for Security Policy and Law; Elizabeth Kubala, teaching professor at the College of Law and executive director of the Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic; Laurie Hobart, associate teaching professor at the College of Law; Kalmykova, the Hon. James Baker, professor of law in the College of Law and professor of public administration and international affairs by courtesy appointment at the Maxwell School; Robert Murrett, professor of practice of public administration and international affairs at Maxwell and principal investigator of the Intelligence Community Center for Academic Excellence; and Maria Cudowska, Faculty Fellow at the College of Law.

Since the 2022 Russian invasion, Ukraine鈥檚 veteran population has increased from roughly 500,000 to over 1.2 million and counting, yet the country鈥檚 ability to support its servicemembers has declined due to the war鈥檚 impact on the economy and infrastructure.

Two Maxwell School scholars say this dichotomy threatens the national security of Ukraine and other states on the frontlines of Russia.

The Hon. James E. Baker and Vice Admiral Robert Murrett (U.S. Navy, retired), the director and deputy director of the 黑料不打烊 Institute for Security Policy and Law, respectively, are leading academic partners representing the University in a coalition that seeks to address the crisis by forging connections between U.S. and Ukraine veterans鈥� organizations.

Called the US-Ukraine Veterans Bridge, the coalition is comprised of U.S. veterans’ organizations and human rights advocates united in supporting Ukraine’s emerging veteran community. In partnership with the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation (UVF), the Bridge connects American and Ukrainian veterans, leaders and experts in areas such as health care, benefits administration, education, employment, reintegration and family. 鈥淚n Ukraine, the treatment of veterans is an immediate national security concern as well as a humanitarian one,鈥� says Baker, who additionally leads an interdisciplinary network of scholars from the U.S., Ukraine and Russia鈥檚 frontline states called 鈥淩ing Around Russia: Partnership for Law and Policy.鈥�

Baker outlined the connection between the care of veterans and national security in a position paper he recently shared with the U.S. government and Ukraine鈥檚 Ministry of Veterans Affairs. He wrote, 鈥淎 society of demobilized veterans can be a force for good, as the World War II G.I. Bill boom demonstrated in the United States. It can also result in instability if those veterans are alienated from society or government and subsequently mobilized as a political movement or military force.鈥�

Baker and Murrett are connecting Bridge organizers with resources at 黑料不打烊 and offering their expertise in the pipeline, sharing best practices and guidance gleaned from their own experiences. A highly regarded national security lawyer, policy advisor and former chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, Baker is professor of law in the College of Law and professor of public administration and international affairs by courtesy appointment at Maxwell. Former director of the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, Murrett is professor of practice of public administration and international affairs and is principal investigator of the Intelligence Community Center for Academic Excellence.

In addition to the Institute for Security Policy and Law, Veterans鈥� Bridge is supported at 黑料不打烊 by the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Institute of Global Affairs at Maxwell and the D鈥橝niello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF). The University鈥檚 involvement with Veterans Bridge follows campus visits this past spring by Nataliia Kalmykova, a Ukrainian Fulbright scholar at the University of Buffalo who became executive director of the UVF weeks before Russia鈥檚 invasion.

Kalmykova met with Baker, Murrett, Maxwell Dean David M. Van Slyke and numerous other University representatives and Ukrainian students. She has since convened weekly Zoom meetings to coordinate resources from the University in support of Ukrainian veterans. 鈥淥ur involvement is important because the Ukrainians deserve whatever support they can have from us at 黑料不打烊 to ensure a better future and to restore the territorial integrity of their country,鈥� says Murrett. The connections are mutually beneficial to students. Murrett points out that a group he teaches in Maxwell鈥檚 master of public administration program, for instance, is exploring Ukraine鈥檚 challenges related to security and governance in a fall semester workshop inspired by Veterans Bridge.

The Hon. James Baker is shown during an appearance on a Ukrainian news station during a recent visit to the embattled country. During the interview, he advocated for the care of the growing population of Ukrainian veterans to bolster national security. Seated on the right is Nataliia Kalmykova, a Fulbright scholar who became executive director of the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation weeks before the Russian invasion.

Similarly, Baker says the related Ring Around Russia initiative he leads provides faculty and students with opportunities to collaborate with scholars and students in the frontline states on pressing global issues. For Ring Around Russia, he has coordinated scholars from 11 universities in the U.S., Ukraine, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Latvia, Norway, Poland, Romania and Slovakia who are committed to using national security law and values to enhance European security. The goal is to develop national competencies and capacities in intelligence oversight, national security decision-making, the regulation and use of emerging technologies, and responding to Russian disinformation.

Baker was inspired to develop Ring Around Russia following a series of remote lectures he provided in February 2022, two weeks before the full-scale Russian invasion. His audience included academics, lawyers and government officials in Ukraine. 鈥淒uring each question-and-answer period, the question participants returned to was: 鈥楧oes law matter when a nation faces an existential threat?鈥欌€� says Baker. 鈥淚 had heard the question before, in the U.S. government. When I left the sessions, it occurred to me that these were messages that warranted emphasis throughout the frontline states.鈥�

He has since traveled throughout frontline states to meet with university scholars, government officials and civil society groups. 鈥淢any of these countries are evolving from post-Soviet systems,鈥� says Baker. 鈥淥ur network of scholars is trying to spread the word. Good process leads to better results and the good faith application of law protects democracy and enhances our physical security by making our security services more professional and effective. My vision is to have this network of professionals to offer best practice guidance on how to build a national security architecture committed to democracy and law as well as security.鈥�

Baker鈥檚 travels this past year have included two trips to Ukraine, the most recent of which was in June and included 16 meetings and a television appearance during which he advocated for the care of Ukrainian veterans.

In the crisis, he sees hope. 鈥淭he scope of the destruction Russia has wrought is criminal and tragic,鈥� he says, 鈥渂ut I feel hope and optimism observing this generation of civil society leaders in Ukraine, as well as the resolve of Ukraine鈥檚 leaders. The people of Ukraine are resilient. It is hard to describe how resilient until you hear person after person declare 鈥榃e are Ukraine鈥� and 鈥榃e will win this war.鈥欌€�

Timothy Strong speaking about Visions Federal Credit Union鈥檚 program to support military-connected students. (Photos by Charlie Poag)

Military-connected students arriving for their first semester at 黑料不打烊 typically have a myriad of needs and challenges that are vastly different from the traditional students they attend classes with. Understanding these unique issues, the hosts a new student orientation and resource exclusively for military-connected students each semester.

The orientation event this year was held inside the . The OVMA expanded the audience for the orientation beyond the growing population of student veterans to include those currently serving service members and their family members. 鈥淭his semester we are welcoming 22 new residential undergraduate student veterans to campus, adding to the total of 478 veterans we currently have enrolled at 黑料不打烊. Additionally, we have more than 1,200 military-connected students, almost six percent of the enrolled student population, attending either full-time, part-time, in person, or online,鈥� said Ron Novack, executive director of the OVMA and a retired U.S. Army colonel. 鈥淭hese students are joining a growing network of military-connected alumni at a university that has set a standard in higher education on providing opportunities for veterans and service members in their post-service lives.鈥�

OVMA Executive Director, Ron Novack, welcomes the newest military-connected students to campus during the Military-Connected Student Orientation and Resource Fair.

In addition to the expanded audience, this year the OVMA welcomed representatives from to the orientation and resource fair. During the orientation, Visions Federal Credit Union鈥檚 Director of Branding and Public Relations, Timothy Strong, announced a new partnership with the OVMA to deliver more robust programs and services for military-connected students at 黑料不打烊. 鈥淲e are proud to partner with 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Office of Veteran and Military Affairs to support student veterans,鈥� said Strong. 鈥淭his impactful program is a natural fit for our mission of helping people achieve their financial goals. We appreciate the commitment and sacrifice of our veteran and military-connected communities and are committed to providing both with the resources they need to succeed.鈥�

The program, funded by Visions Credit Union, will help support access to tutoring, upskilling and financial readiness resources in addition to enhancing existing career services and other programs offered by the OVMA. “We are very excited to have Visions Federal Credit Union as a corporate partner for the OVMA. This program will provide new academic programmatic support and services to the options offered to our student veterans and military-connected students,” said Novack. “I am looking forward to the impact this program will have for our military-connected students, as well as having Visions Federal Credit Union as a partner to support our students through their transition out of the military as well as their pursuit of academic and professional goals.鈥�

Beth Kubala, executive director of the Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic, and professor at the College of Law, speaks with a military-connected student during Military-Connected Student Orientation and Resource Fair.

After the orientation presentations on available programs and services, the incoming students and family members were able to attend a resource fair held in the Bisignano Grand Hall. More than 25 organizations from on and off campus attended the resource fair, most representing private or non-profit organizations focused specifically on veterans and military families.

Those military-connected students who missed the orientation and resource fair are highly encouraged to visit the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs to learn about exclusive services, programs and support for military-connected students at 黑料不打烊.

Tillman Scholar Luis 鈥淟u鈥� Weierbach L鈥�24

Most of Weierbach鈥檚 early childhood was spent growing up in the Bronx and Washington Heights, both in New York City. The environment of inner-city vices and violence had a significant impact on his early outlook during childhood.

鈥淢y father wasn鈥檛 in the picture and my mom always worked hard to provide for me and my two younger sisters. She suffered from medical complications after giving birth to my youngest sister,鈥� Weierbach says. 鈥淢y mother eventually recovered, but we wound up losing most everything we owned while she healed.鈥�

After moving around the city from place to place and trying to get back on their feet, Weierbach鈥檚 mother moved him and his sisters to Hoosick Falls in upstate New York, where family was available to help. The move required some adapting for Weierbach.

鈥淢y identity was very much tied to the city, where I found more diversity than I did in our new setting,鈥� says Weierbach. 鈥淏ut, our move brought us closer to family, and through that community I was able to forge an identity.鈥�

Weierbach was encouraged to try out for the wrestling team by one of his teachers who saw potential in him.

Weierbach with a fellow serviceman aboard a U.S. military helicopter.

鈥淭he sport of wrestling shaped my life in many ways. On a personal level it gave me more confidence in myself,鈥� Weierbach says. 鈥淭he wrestling community and the Hoosick F alls community supported my endeavors every step along the way and for that I am forever grateful.鈥�

As a junior, Weierbach won a state championship in wrestling, the first for his high school, and the sport became his ticket to higher education.

The achievement caught the eye of several colleges and universities, but ultimately it was the U.S. Military Academy at West Point that caught Weierbach’s eye.

鈥淚 decided to go to a wrestling camp at West Point prior to my senior year of high school, and I was enamored by the campus. The wrestling program is storied, and the physical appearance of West Point is breathtaking,鈥� says Weierbach. 鈥淭here鈥檚 also an energy there, and I felt it. It felt like a place I could see myself, somewhere I belonged.鈥�

Weierbach was accepted and studied pre-law. His academics ultimately became his priority and he opted to leave the wrestling mat in favor of the unique opportunities available to him.

Weierbach graduated from West Point in 2018 and accepted a commission into the U.S. Army as an infantry officer. Over the next year he would take part in various training and schools to prepare for the聽 future, which would include deployments to Thailand and Korea as part of crucial bi-lateral training and security support operations with foreign allies.

The Road to Tillman

Weierbach with his mom and sisters at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

鈥淚 decided to apply for the Funded Legal Education Program, I knew I wanted to continue service, but I also knew it wouldn鈥檛 be in the infantry,鈥� Weierbach says.

While stationed in Hawaii, Weierbach fell in love with his now wife, Dana, someone he鈥檇 known since his earlier days in Hoosick Falls. Weierbach applied to 黑料不打烊 so he and his wife could both be close to family throughout the state of New York, and through research found out about the school鈥檚 commitment to military families and veterans.

鈥淚 knew that 黑料不打烊 was the best place for veterans, but I didn鈥檛 know how deep that ran. My wife and I were pleasantly surprised to get here and see the resources that have been put forward in that endeavor,鈥� Weierbach says.

It wasn鈥檛 long after he started law school that he received an e-mail about the Tillman Foundation and the highly sought after scholarship provided to Tillman Scholars. Weierbach says he had apprehensions about applying after looking at the biographies of other scholars.

鈥淲hen you see some of those biographies, you immediately think that you don鈥檛 fit that bill. Even after being accepted, I think I鈥檓 still dealing with that dissonance,鈥� says Weierbach. 鈥淏ut I admire the foundation and its mission, and I believe in Pat Tillman鈥檚 legacy and the energy that these folks have shown the world 鈥� that鈥檚 something I want to be a part of.鈥�

Weierbach wants to pursue a career in law to help advocate for underprivileged and underserved youth. Primarily, he wants to see more programs available for youth after school to keep them off the streets and in healthier communities of support.

鈥淚 think that, ideally, engaging with underserved youth begins before the courtroom with extracurricular sports. There are opportunities out there, like Beat the Streets, that aim to help give today鈥檚 youth a healthy outlet through the sport of wrestling,鈥� Weierbach says.

A common step for most of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Tillman Scholars is to seek out advice from the Center for Fellowship and Scholarship Advising, particularly from Jolynn Parker, director of CFSA.

Weierbach says the support available helped him shape his thoughts from a hypothetical idea of what he wanted to do into a grounded course of action.

The application process for next year鈥檚 Tillman Scholarship will open again later this semester, those eligible military-connected students who are interested in applying are encouraged to attend informational sessions hosted by the , and to reach out to the to begin the process as soon as possible.