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

“Ray has been with the IVMF since its inception. For more than a decade, he’s played a central role in almost every facet of the IVMF’s strategy, programming and growth,” Haynie says. “There is no one more committed to our mission or more qualified to drive future growth and innovation than Ray Toenniessen.”

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.

“I 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,” Toenniessen says. “As 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.”

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

Toenniessen graduated from ���ϲ����� 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’Aniello 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’s partnerships with private sector firms, foundations and donors to the IVMF’s programs that have impacted the lives of more than 210,000 service members, veterans and military family members since 2011.

���ϲ����� shares a similar historic commitment to honoring veterans and service members. With the university’s reputation for being the “Best Place for Veterans,” it should come as no surprise that the University pulls out all the stops to celebrate Veterans Day.

“Every day is Veterans Day at ���ϲ�����,” says U.S. Army Colonel (Ret.) Ron Novack,�� executive director of the University’s Office of Veterans and Military Affairs (OVMA). “But 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.”

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.�� 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�� recharge for the rest of the day’s celebrations.

“This 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,” said U.S. Marine Corps veteran Michael Drum who, as the OVMA’s operations manager, helps coordinate between the University’s Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) detachments, OVMA staff, other campus departments and local organizations to ensure the success of the run. “This 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.”

Veterans Day Celebration and Reception

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

The official party for this year’s celebration included Chancellor Kent Syverud; Vice President and Hendricks Chapel Dean Brian Konkol; U.S. Army Lt. Col. (Ret). Theresa Cross ’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 ’26, president of the University’s 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’s strong commitment to veterans by pointing out that every day is Veterans Day at ���ϲ�����, 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.

“One civilian institution in this country is proud that it’s okay to wear the uniform every day, everywhere across the institution,” said Syverud. “One 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 ���ϲ�����, and I’m grateful to all who strive to make every day feel like Veterans Day here.”

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

Cross, who attended the University on the U.S. Army’s 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’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families.

“My experience here at ���ϲ����� was more than I imagined it would be. I could implement the leadership values inculcated in the Army—loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage,” said Cross. “I 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.”

To learn more about ���ϲ�����’s commitment to veterans, service members and their families, please visit the .

The Executive Board for ���ϲ�����’s 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��student veterans.

Leonel “Leo” Aviles ’26 – 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 ���ϲ�����. Originally from Florida, Aviles found ���ϲ����� through the Warrior-Scholar Project and credits the University’s admissions staff, along with OVMA’s staff with why he ultimately decided to enroll at ���ϲ�����.

“The 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,” says Aviles. “I 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.”

Derick Ramos G’26 – 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 ���ϲ����� was because of the competitive academic programs available, particularly for doctoral studies.

“When transitioning from the service we may believe that we are behind in some instances compared to other students attending college after high school,” says Ramos, “Keep your head down and work hard, your dreams and goals will come true. Always remember the words of Winnie the Pooh, ‘You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.’”

Jurgen Baeza ’26 – U.S. Navy Veteran
College of Engineering and Computer Science

Jurgen Baeza

Baeza discovered ���ϲ����� 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’s 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.

“As 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,” Baeza says.

Savion Pollard ’26 – 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 ���ϲ����� 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��from President Joseph R. Biden L’68.

“I chose to come to ���ϲ����� because it brought me closer to family, and because of its proclamation as the ‘Best Place for Vets,’” says Pollard, who is currently studying electrical engineering with a minor in computer science. “I’ve grown to love the campus community, the ���ϲ����� city community and the deep connection between the two.”

Pollard has been a member of the SVO’s executive board for a few years and says his biggest advice for new military-connected students is to “buy 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,” Pollard says.

Tojyea “TJ” Matally ’27 – U.S. Marine Corps Veteran
College of Visual and Performing Arts

Tojyea “TJ” 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 ���ϲ����� because of its reputation for providing educational opportunities for veterans and military families.

“I chose to attend ���ϲ����� 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,” Matally says.

His advice to other student veterans is to “be honest with your limitations and strengths, and enjoy your new transition. It’s 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,” Matally says.

To learn more about the military-connected students at ���ϲ����� and the programs and services available for student veterans, please visit the .

“I joined in 2017, right after high school. Two weeks after I graduated, I headed to boot camp,” 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’ 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 ���ϲ����� and its initiatives to support veterans and military-connected students.

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

“I 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 ���ϲ�����. I had not been to New York before then, and it seemed like a great opportunity,” Aviles says.

When he first arrived on campus, Aviles says he felt he struggled to fit in as a non-traditional student. It’s 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.

“For me, it was a struggle because you’re older and you don’t really fit in. After a while, everyone’s kind of pushing you and telling you it’s okay. But I’ve opened many doors for myself and had some great opportunities,” says Aviles.

One of those opportunities came through the�� (SVO), ���ϲ�����’s local chapter of the National Student Veterans of America.��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.

“I feel like it’s 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,” 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.

“It’s 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’s just a great organization for us to get together and get more comfortable on campus,” 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 ’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’s official observance of Veterans Day this year. Cross says that to her, Veterans Day is as “American as apple pie.”

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

Cross came to ���ϲ����� in 1997 on the U.S. Army’s 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.

“At 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 ���ϲ����� was a family school,” says Cross.

Theresa Cross ’99, center, with her family

When Cross calls ���ϲ����� a “family school,” she means the school runs through her family’s veins through multiple generations of ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ�����; 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’s 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–it was different,” 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’s mission.

“The 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’t know about,” says Cross.

The University’s 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.

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

“I didn’t 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’t want to put my family in debt to pay for me going to school–especially having two younger brothers and how they needed to go to school too,” 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’s 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.

“To 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’s been really fun and also challenging, but it’s very rewarding when you see your code running and there’s no more bugs or anything,” Baeza says.

From Ejection Seats to Classroom Desks

U.S. Navy portrait of Jurgen Baeza ’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’s 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 ���ϲ�����. 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.

“I made the mistake of thinking that ���ϲ����� was going to be like New York City, and when I got here, it was definitely not. I don’t mind it though, it’s nice, I love it so far,” 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.

“The 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,” Baeza recalls. He says he was a little “stand-offish” at first, like many veterans he wasn’t looking to participate with the military culture, he was seeking a new path forward. With Pollard’s encouragement, Baeza began going to some of the SVO’s meetings, where he found most of the student veterans shared similar experiences and, like him, weren’t looking to revive their days in the military but instead help each other in the pursuit of their academic goals.

“It’s nice when you don’t 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’re not looking to talk about the military, or school, but we talk about life and different stuff going on outside of class,” 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 ���ϲ�����. 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’d like to stay in New York to work in software engineering, but going back to the West Coast isn’t off the table either. Additionally, Baeza says he’s interested in several master’s programs that are available through the College of Engineering and Computer Science. While figuring out what the future holds for him, he’s 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’s Executive Board, serving as the organization’s secretary. Like many student veterans before him, he not only understands the value of the SVO’s community but also advocates for other military-connected students on campus to check the group out.

“The more students we have involved in our events, the more support we get from the University in terms of funding and opportunities. So, it’s 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,” says Baeza.

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

Jurgen Baeza ’26 (fourth from left) with other members of ���ϲ�����’s Student Veterans Organization, including mentor Savion Pollard ’25 (third from left).

The first-ever Bisignano Speaker Series event will feature ���ϲ����� women’s basketball head coach Felisha Legette-Jack ’89 and four-time Paralympian Mallory Weggemann.

The rise of women’s sports has sparked a significant cultural shift in the last year, inspiring countless athletes and breaking barriers across the globe as national viewership numbers and stadium attendance for women’s sporting events have seen a dramatic rise.

���ϲ����� is proud to celebrate this through the first-ever Bisignano Speaker Series, “Tenacity and Triumph: Leadership Lessons and Resiliency.” The event will be held on Friday, Sept. 27 from 10-11:30 a.m. in the K.G. Tan Auditorium in the National Veterans Resource Center at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building and is open to all.

Featuring two powerhouse figures in sports, this event brings together ���ϲ����� women’s basketball head coach and Mallory Weggemann, a four-time Paralympic gold medalist, world record holder, passionate advocate and NBC Sports reporter and in-studio correspondent.

Weggemann, known for her determination in and out of the pool, will share how she overcame obstacles and achieved greatness as a Paralympic athlete. She was both a gold and silver medalist for Team USA during the 2024 Paralympic Games and made her hosting debut for NBC during the 2024 Summer Olympics.

“The Paris 2024 Games marked my fourth Paralympics but more notably, my first as a mom. Throughout this entire journey, from navigating through IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) as a professional athlete, competing through pregnancy and balancing sport and postpartum as a breastfeeding mom—I have experienced firsthand the stigma that still relates to female athletes as they continue their career through motherhood. As a result, at each turn I have been passionate to serve as an example that motherhood is a comma, not a period as it relates to our identity as women,” says Weggemann. “We are at a time where women in sport are rising, and it is important that we continue to utilize our voices and platforms to ensure the next generation, my daughter’s generation, has the access, opportunity and equality they deserve.”

Legette-Jack, an All-American during her days at ���ϲ�����, has become a trailblazer in women’s sports, including winning the 2024 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Coach of the Year, the first ���ϲ����� coach to earn the honor in basketball since the University joined the ACC.

Moderated by Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff Candace Campbell Jackson, these remarkable women will explore the themes of resilience, leadership and the ever-evolving landscape of women’s sports. Their conversation will offer powerful insights into how they’ve navigated their respective careers, driven by perseverance, hard work and a commitment to breaking boundaries.

The popularity of women’s sports experienced a tremendous boost in 2023, with the 2023 NCAA women’s basketball championship game experiencing a 103% increase in viewership (Louisiana State University beat Caitlin Clark and the University of Iowa), and the 2023 women’s World Cup enjoyed record-breaking audiences in several countries around the world. This rise has not only made athletes like Clark and Megan Rapinoe household names,��it has also ignited an industry that’s expected to bring in more than $1 billion in revenue for the first time in 2024.

Visit the for more information and to RSVP.

Managed by the D’Aniello 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 ���ϲ�����, 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 ���ϲ����� has established in our name,” says Bernard Rostker. “We 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 – 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, “Post-9/11 Veterans: Gender Differences in Health, Stressors and Social Support During Reintegration,” 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. “Being 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.”

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’s 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. “I 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,” says Linsner.

Paul Sagoe – 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 ���ϲ����� 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’s well-being and alleviating pain. “As a Rostker Fellow, I am thrilled by the honor of being supported financially to pursue my research goals to the fullest capacity,” says Sagoe.

Sagoe’s dissertation, “Synovial Macrophage Targeting Immunomodulatory Therapies for Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis,” 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–College of Arts and Sciences

Kyle White

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

“This fellowship will be instrumental in advancing my research goal of identifying psychological mechanisms underlying pain and addiction among veterans,” says White, whose research builds off previous studies that found chronic pain acceptance to be negatively associated with opioid use severity. “A 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.”

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 ���ϲ�����, 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 ’86

Wilder Leavitt

Wilder Leavitt, an attorney in Bethesda, Maryland, is a ���ϲ����� alumnus with a degree in aerospace engineering. He later earned a master’s degree in management from MIT and a juris doctor from American University. Leavitt’s 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: “I 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.”

Kenneth Marfilius ’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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ����� 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. “Through my experiences as a U.S. Air Force veteran and my current roles at ���ϲ�����, I’ve dedicated my career to advocating for those who have served our country,” he says. “This opportunity allows me to extend my unwavering dedication to the well-being of student veterans and military-connected individuals at the University.”

Tyrone “Ty” 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. “As 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,” Muse says. “I 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.”

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

“I am in awe of the vital role and commitment that ���ϲ����� 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,” says Rogers.

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

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

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

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’s dedication, knowledge, leadership and ability to effect change.

For retired U.S. Air Force (USAF) Brigadier General Jeff Wilkinson ’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 ���ϲ����� as an Air Force ROTC cadet.

Wilkinson, who served primarily in Air Force Special Tactics, didn’t initially see himself rising through the ranks. However, a call to service has guided him throughout his career.

“Growing 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,” says Wilkinson, a Buffalo, New York, native who was drawn to ���ϲ����� through his passion for music and playing the saxophone.

“I 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 ���ϲ����� and be part of its excellent programs,” Wilkinson says.

Music played a significant role in attracting Wilkinson to ���ϲ�����, 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’s 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.

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

The Air Force’s 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 ���ϲ����� 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—a skill long forgotten in military tactics since the early 1940s.

“The 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’s wars,” 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’s received.��“He 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,” Wilkinson says.

3. Don’t 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.

“With 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’s available to the broader Air Force,” Wilkinson says.

���ϲ�����’s 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’s not the rank that matters in the end, it’s the willingness to step forward and serve.

“You stand at the forefront of our citizens, willing to be part of something greater than yourself,” says Wilkinson. “The American way of life, and American freedoms, are valuable. There’s always greater opportunities for people who produce results.”

For more information on the University’s commitment to preparing tomorrow’s 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 ���ϲ����� V.A. Medical Center and ���ϲ�����’s D’Aniello 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’s 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.

“The 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,” says Waldron. “Then I stumbled on something that worked for me, something that pulled me out of it.”

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 ���ϲ����� VA Medical Center
• Kyle Thomas, peer specialist with the Health Care for Homeless Veterans program of the ���ϲ����� 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 .

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.

“Aside 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’s a clear need to provide military-connected students with assistance beyond just information on where they may find resources,” says Ken Marfilius ’11, assistant dean of online and distance education and associate teaching professor of social work in the Falk College. “This 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.”

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’25 and Natalie Hawes G’25, as well as leverage his extensive experience in providing mental health care services to the military-connected community to ensure the program’s effectiveness.

Both interns are military-connected students at ���ϲ����� who are pursuing master’s 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’s an opportunity to build upon lessons learned while working at Clear Path for Veterans, a nonprofit veteran’s service organization located in Central New York.

Brenic Nam G’25

“Veterans 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,” 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 ���ϲ����� VA Medical Center, which already provides medical services for many of ���ϲ�����’s student veterans.

“This initiative is a clear reflection of ���ϲ�����’s strategic vision to be recognized as the premier institution for veteran and military-connected students,” says U.S. Army Col. (Retired) Ron Novack, executive director of the OVMA. “By 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 ���ϲ����� as the best place for veterans.”

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’s 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 ���ϲ�����, please visit the .

Members of ���ϲ�����’s military-connected community pose for a group photo with Otto before the 2024 SVO Ball & Awards Banquet.

���ϲ�����’s 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 ���ϲ����� and serves as an evening of camaraderie before the academic calendar is overtaken by final exams.

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

SVO President and U.S. Navy Veteran John Nipper ’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. “Congratulations on all your successes here at ���ϲ�����, 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,” Nipper said.

This year’s 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’s SVO executive board, music and dancing, as well as a raffle drawing to help raise money for next year’s SVO functions.

Theodore “Ted” Walker

Theodore “Ted” Walker, a U.S. Army veteran and guest speaker of this year’s 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’s 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’s 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 ’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 “Rudy” Rosique ’23.

The SVO acknowledged OVMA Executive Director Ron Novack, a retired U.S. Army Colonel, with the SVO’s 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 ���ϲ�����’s 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 ���ϲ�����’s College of Law, receives the SVO Faculty Appreciation Award from SVO President John Nipper.

“I’m truly humbled and honored to be recognized by the SVO for this award. Here at ���ϲ�����, 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’m really proud to be part of that collective effort,” said Kubala. “I’ve 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 ���ϲ�����.”

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’s 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’s degree in Social Work and was the first VA work-study student at ���ϲ�����. 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 “Rudy” 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 ���ϲ�����. This year, the award was presented to Raul Rosique ’24.

To close out the event each year, the SVO announces the results of the SVO’s 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 ’26, a computer science major in the College of Engineering and Computer Science

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

Public Affairs Officer: Tojyea “TJ” Matally ’27, a communications design major in the College of Visual and Performing Arts

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

“I 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’s 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’s been more welcoming. It’s like seeing something being built from the ground up,” said Grollmus, who served for nine years in the U.S. Marine Corps prior to enrolling at the University. “If 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.”

The SVO Executive Board for the 2024-25 Academic Year (from left to right):
Public Affairs Officer, Toyyea “TJ” 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’s Review and Awards Ceremony.

During the 107^th Chancellor’s Review this year, more than 70 scholarships were presented to cadets from the University’s 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’s military-connected initiatives.

U.S. Army ROTC Cadet Luke Bonenberger, a senior in the�� College of Engineering and Computer Science, and U.S. Air Force ROTC Cadet Emily Weaver, a senior�� 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’s 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.

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

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.

“It 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 ���ϲ�����,” Weaver says. “The generosity of awards such as this scholarship exemplifies the ways in which ���ϲ����� and its generous donors appreciate and reward military-connected students for the work we do both in and out of uniform.”

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’s 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’s 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 ’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 ’72 and Barbara H. Litzenberger ’71, was presented to two ROTC cadets this year by John Litzenberger during the Chancellor’s 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 ’24 and Emily Weaver ’24.

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

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.

���ϲ����� 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’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’s 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,” says Diaz, director of programs and operations at Paramount Veterans Network. “We 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 ’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.

“As 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,” says Rios. ��“Attending 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.”

For VPA sophomore Tojyea “T.J.” Matally ’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.

“The immersion trip was really informative and helpful as a reference guide for someone unfamiliar with the corporate or private sector,” Matally says. “Even 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.”

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’t 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.�� 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

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

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.

“This initiative reflects our commitment to preparing student veterans for successful integration into the job market post-graduation.�� We are deeply grateful for the OVMA’s 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,” Pluta says.

For more information on career opportunities offered to military-connected students at ���ϲ�����, or learn more about the University’s 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 ���ϲ����� being named among the top private schools for online bachelor’s degree programs for veterans, and that same commitment to military-connected students extends to graduates of the

“Supporting military-connected students and their families is part of ���ϲ�����’s mission,” says Liz Green, executive director of online student success at CPS who also serves as 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. “We 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.”

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 ���ϲ����� being named among the top private schools for online bachelor’s 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’Aniello 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’s 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.

“Our 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,” says College of Professional Studies Dean , an Air Force veteran and avid supporter of ���ϲ�����’s 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’s 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’s 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’s 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 ���ϲ�����’s 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’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.

“I 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’t 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.”

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’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,” 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.

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

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;�� 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’04 with her husband, daughter and family dog enjoying the Adirondacks.

“���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ�����. 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

“One of the biggest things I learned during my time at ���ϲ����� is association with my fraternity brothers,” says Watson, who was a member of Omega Psi Phi. “They helped me understand how to be a part of a group, or a team, and how to work collectively with others.”

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’s determination still serves as a guiding beacon and that her work ethic continues to be an influence on him today.

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

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’t 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’t a stranger’s 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.

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

“I 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.”

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.

“I think anything we do in our staff jobs as Marines is, in some way, shape, or form, associated with some type of project, it’s very project-oriented work and that was a natural progression for me and my career if I wasn’t going to fly,” 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’s 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.

“My 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,” says Watson.

Living in Maryland, Watson now enjoys the opportunity to connect with other ���ϲ����� 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.

“You lose contact with a few people over the years, but then there’s a mechanism to reach back out and get back in contact with things like Facebook and social media,” says Watson. “I had a blast while I was at ���ϲ�����, but it’s always been the people that I’ve had a blast with while I was there, and still have fun with today.”

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 ���ϲ�����, Watson established the Our Time Has Come Eric R. Watson Family Scholarship. Watson’s 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 ���ϲ�����, please visit the .

U.S. Army veteran Benetta Dousuah G’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.

“After 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,” 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’s 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

“We were deployed to Indiana to help with the Afghan refugee resettlement process,” 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.

“I 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,” 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’25 (lower right) with other student veterans during a student veteran career emersion trip to Washington, D.C.

“Our mental health is not taken as seriously as it should be. If I’m experiencing social anxiety I may not be comfortable in the situation, but that’s not how people see it,” says Dousuah. “They just label us as angry, and it puts a lot of pressure on us when it comes to our mental health.”

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.

“While my concentration is on the clinical side of social work, I’ve also been able to take AIP (Advanced Integrated Practice) classes, which are more policy-related in a way,” says Dousuah. “My classes are helping me implement what I’m learning into the idea of building the school.”

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

“The 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’ve been through. It’s helped me understand the whole holistic aspect of connecting veterans to resources, some of which I knew nothing about before,” says Dousuah.

To learn more about military-connected students at ���ϲ�����, 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,” Johnson says.��“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 ���ϲ�����. 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,” says Timothy Strong, director of branding and public relations for Visions Federal Credit Union. “The continued emphasis on providing the military-connected community with skills to benefit them in and out of the classroom fits perfectly with our mission.”

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 ’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 .

Military-Connected Students

Marine Corps Sergeant Levi “L.J.” Guerra ’27 and student-veteran Danny “Rem” Bellitt ’27 first met while stationed in Japan. Guerra is currently a student in the military visual journalism program in the ��and Bellitt is a U.S. Air Force veteran enrolled in the as an undergraduate student.

“Being in different branches that have no business working together definitely had its challenges,” says Bellitt, who served as a crew chief on C-17s and C-5s. “Being an aircraft maintainer meant working twelve-plus-hour shifts at night, and L.J. being a Communications Strategy and Operations (COMMSTRAT) Marine meant she would go on exercises for months at a time.”

The pair were married in March of last year, and two days later Guerra was in the Philippines. They say that during the first six months of marriage they only spent a total of 45 days together due to back-to-back exercises.

“���ϲ����� has been amazing because it has given us both a chance to not only be together everyday, but also go to school together as students,” says Guerra, who was named a in September of last year.

“Coming to ���ϲ����� has been a blessing. We have been able to make up for lost time, and we can actually go out and enjoy each other’s company. Not only is it a nice break from the high op tempo that you experience in the military, it has just been nice to see each other and share a cup of coffee every morning,” says Bellitt.

L.J. Guerra (left) and Danny Bellitt

Marine Veterans Turned University Staff

While Marine veterans Michael and Colleen Drum didn’t meet in the military, their shared experience of being Marines meant they had a lot in common already when they met while working for the (IVMF).

Colleen works as the Onward to Opportunity installation manager for Fort Drum in upstate New York. Michael is currently the national program coordinator for the Onward to Opportunity program but will soon take on a new position as the operations officer for the (OVMA).

“We met in person for the first time at the IVMF all hands meeting in 2019, we had first met on a virtual meeting before since I was remote at the time,” says Colleen, who previously worked for the IVMF in southern California prior to relocating to Central New York. “We were both veterans and we had a lot in common so it helped, especially as a female veteran it can be tough to date men who haven’t been through those same experiences, and some find the role reversal challenging.”

“As veterans we were both pretty used to tough scenarios and I think that made it a lot easier for us both to move in together finally,” says Michael.

The pair also expressed their appreciation for the IVMF’s leadership–particularly Maureen Casey, IVMF chief operating officer–for supporting their relationship. They married in Skaneateles, New York, in fall 2022 and are now expecting their first child later this year.

Colleen (left) and Michael Drum

Veteran Alumni Who Bleed Orange

One look at retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonels Dwayne ’97 and Allison Murray ’01 and it’s obvious the married couple exudes school spirit. Dwayne graduated from ���ϲ����� with undergraduate degrees in sociology and information studies, Allison graduated from the University’s School of Nursing. The Murrays were married in 2009 and continued to serve on active duty in the Army together, with careers spanning more than 20 years each.

They were both student athletes while earning their undergraduate degrees at ���ϲ�����. Dwayne was a member of the track and field team while Allison was a member of the cheerleading squad. Amazingly, however, they didn’t connect while on campus.

“We met while we were both in South Korea,” says Dwayne, deputy director of the OVMA. “She told me she went to a school in upstate New York, and I was like, ‘Really? Which one?’ and then she told me she went to ���ϲ�����.”

Allison, who currently serves as assistant dean for student assistance at , was a little skeptical at first when Dwayne told her he had also graduated from her alma mater. Upon producing his student ID card as proof, the two realized just how much they had in common.

Their time together in the military was no easy feat, however. They have had to overcome deployments, being stationed apart from one another for years at a time, and dealing with the military’s archaic record-keeping systems that aren’t exactly accommodating for dual-military couples.

“There are certain systems and processes that aren’t necessarily set up for dual-military couples,” says Allison, who was a cadet with the U.S. Army ROTC detachment at ���ϲ����� while she was a student. “There were so many times that someone would say, ‘Oh you’re Mrs. Murray!’ and I would have to say, “No, I’m Major Murray, or Lieutenant Colonel Murray, I’m in the service too!’ It wasn’t just the person who couldn’t grasp the concept, sometimes it was the data-entry system for things like keeping track of our children in the system and making sure they were under both of our names.”

The pair said they deliberately made the decision to not be geographically separated if at all possible, that means sacrificing potential assignments that could be better for their career progression. For two highly-ambitious people determined for success, that was a challenge in of itself.

“Thankfully we both had great mentors, people who were rock stars in the military and who were highly supportive of us,” Allison says.

“At the end of the day our goal was less about our own individual ambition, and more about the goal of keeping the family together,” says Dwayne.

The couple now have three children together: Dwayne, who is a junior in the , as well as Caleb and Malachi.

Allison (left) and Dwayne Murray

Read more love stories from students, staff and alumni by checking out the 2024 #OrangeLove photo gallery!

More than 20 people from the University’s 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 ’22, G’23, who serves as the president of the Student Veterans Organization, the event proved to be an outstanding success.

“The conference provided a plethora of sensational job opportunities and unparalleled networking experiences with industry giants such as EY, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and more,” 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, ���ϲ����� is well-represented by faculty and staff at NATCON each year. The D’Aniello 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. “It was a profound opportunity to highlight the critical research conducted here at ���ϲ�����. It’s 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.

“Representing ���ϲ����� 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,” says Dwayne Murray, the OVMA’s deputy director and a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel.

Murray also participated in presentations with the IVMF’s 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’s 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’s 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 ���ϲ����� enjoyed an evening at the Grand Ole Opry house, where they were treated to performances by various musicians, including ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ�����’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 ���ϲ����� that will continue to make it “the best place for veterans.”

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

Kari Mickinkle 11, G’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.

���ϲ����� 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’s 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.

“The importance of AVECO cannot be understated. They coordinate conferences and events that are key to our school certifying officials’ success, which, in turn, leads to the success of our military-connected students,” says Doss, a retired U.S. Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer. “The 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.”

Mickinkle will assume the duties as AVECO’s vice president in addition to her work at ���ϲ�����. Since first becoming involved with AVECO, she has done a lot of networking and attended conferences. There,�� she’s 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.

“As 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,” says Mickinkle.

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

“It’s helpful to have other people who know about the things you’re going through and the problems you’re having,” 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 ���ϲ�����. 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’Aniello 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’s 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’s 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’s success over the years is due in large part to the staff members working to make the organization’s programs and services operate smoothly. Leading those behind-the-scenes efforts is Maureen Casey, the IVMF’s 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.’s 100,000 Veteran Jobs Mission, which impacted more than 240,000 veterans in less than three years. Casey’s commitment to veterans and military families has significantly impacted the University’s goal of being the “Best Place for Veterans.”

“I am humbled to be included on the NVRC’s 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,” says Casey, whose inclusion was announced in a surprise ceremony during the IVMF’s 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.

“It is the least that we can do for those who volunteered to serve our country,” says Casey.

Phebe Novakovic ’53

Phebe Novakovic’s 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’s Education Activity and had an impactful career in education administration.

Novakovic and her family have been extremely supportive of the University’s 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’s 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’s mission, something that will require the commitment of veterans, military families and civilians alike.

“Our research indicates that more and more military connected families are returning to communities that do not understand them—their 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,” says Casey.

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

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

Two of Kristen’s 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’t until high school that it became apparent their middle son might follow in the footsteps of his grandfathers and enter military service.

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

The Northrop brothers came to ���ϲ����� 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’s 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’s oldest son, E.J., graduated from in 2018 and now teaches at the nearby Public Service Leadership Academy at Fowler High School with the ���ϲ����� 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.

“Early in Will’s time in high school, he went to a lacrosse camp at West Point Military Academy. He’s always liked a very structured environment and has a ‘Type A’ personality,” Kristen says. “Later, he went to Boys State and really liked that regiment; the routine and detail of it all but not the politics.”

While the boys attended games and other events on campus while growing up, ���ϲ����� wasn’t 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 ���ϲ����� 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’t interested in following in Will’s exact footsteps, though, and worked hard to make sure he wasn’t seen as just the youngest Northrop brother. Kristen recalls that John’s experience was a bit more challenging, as most of his college experience was spent amid hardships of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

“At one point, John was looking at opportunities with other colleges and universities including Texas A&M; he was considering a transfer,” Kristen says. He quickly realized the benefits he was receiving at ���ϲ����� 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.

“It 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,” Kristen says. “I would run into them on occasion, they took their role as a cadet very seriously. If they came into my office, it was, ‘Yes sir’ or ‘No sir’ to my colleagues and my boss. They were always very respectful.”

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.

“It’s not that a bunch of Army cadets can’t ‘yuk it up’ or whatever, but that just wasn’t 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.”

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 ���ϲ�����.

“They 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,” 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 ���ϲ�����, 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’s 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 ���ϲ�����’s 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.

“The 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,” says Skarda. “We 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’s 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, “develop air and space force leaders of character who are expected to fight and win the nation’s wars.” Skarda realizes that in today’s 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’t have to face.

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

“Flexibility and adaptability are going to be absolutely key,” Skarda says. “As I look forward there’s 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’s only going to become more true in the future.”

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.

“I 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,” says Skarda. “A good piece of advice for anybody who’s ever wanted to do anything, persistence is typically the recipe for success. As boring as that sounds, that is often the truth that I’ve discovered.”

As a Foreign Area Officer (FAO), Skarda was at the forefront of the nation’s diplomatic efforts from within the Department of Defense. According to Skarda, being FAO is what a lot of people think they’re 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.

“Folks often speak of Africa like it’s 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,” 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’s 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.

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

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’s 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.

“Something like 23 percent of American youth are eligible for military service, only 23 percent,” says Skarda. “The cadets that make it into through this program are, in the truest sense of the word, elite; not everyone can do it,” Skarda says.

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

“Do they at least know about it? Do they know that we’re here? That we’re 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,” 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’s celebrations commenced with the release of the Military Times Best for Vets College rankings on Nov. 6, where ���ϲ����� 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 ’24, Benetta Dousuah G’25 and Raphael Grollmus ’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 ���ϲ����� 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’ Special Collections Research Center, in collaboration with the Department of Digital Stewardship, launched the digital exhibition, “.” 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 ���ϲ����� Veterans Day Ceremony official party. From left to right, Sheneé Bletson; John Nipper ’23, G’24; Hendricks Chapel Dean Brian Konkol; Chancellor Kent Syverud; and Retired Lt. Cmdr. Laurie Coffey L’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 Sheneé 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. ���ϲ�����’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 ’07 in the pilot’s 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.

���ϲ�����’s Hometown Hero presentation to William Watts ’94. (Photo by Dwayne Murray)

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

“Getting to experience the 100th anniversary game, especially from the venue my girlfriend and I were in, was an unforgettable experience,” says Greifenstein. “Growing up as a Yankee fan and studying now as a ���ϲ����� student, this a time I won’t soon forget.”

From ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ�����. 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.

“Spending time in Bronx while representing ���ϲ����� and the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs on Veterans Day was an enchanting experience,” says Murray, who grew up close enough to Yankee Stadium to hear the cheers after a home run. “From 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.”

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.

In the 2023 Military Times Best for Vets rankings, ���ϲ����� 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, ���ϲ����� clinched second place among colleges and universities in the Northeast.

���ϲ����� 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.

“���ϲ�����’s place in the 2023 Best for Vets results from the dedication of our faculty, staff, students and alumni to the success of our nation’s veterans,” says , vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation. “Veteran 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 ���ϲ����� the nation’s ‘best place’ 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.”

���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ����� 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’s services;
• mental health services; and
• accreditations

���ϲ����� ranks among the top 10% of colleges and universities across the country for veterans.

A driving force behind ���ϲ�����’s 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.

“This ranking is an important benchmark for us as it’s a primary source of information for the approximately 200,000 service members who leave military service each year. ���ϲ����� may be known as the ‘Best Place for Veterans,’ but for those who are less familiar with us, this list may be their first introduction to what opportunities we provide,” says , OVMA’s executive director and a retired U.S. Army Colonel. “Our 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.”

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.

���ϲ����� is already moving forward to secure better placement on the list in the coming years. Through the growth of its programs and services—including those offered through the —the University continues to be an innovative and supportive home for those who have served our country.

For more information on ���ϲ�����’s 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 ���ϲ�����.�� 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 ���ϲ�����’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—a 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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ�����, 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—they 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.”

On Friday, Nov. 10, the campus community is invited to the National Veterans Resource Center at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building for the observance of the ���ϲ����� 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 ’11, G’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 ’23, G’24, a U.S. Navy veteran and the president of ���ϲ�����’s Student Veterans Organization, will speak about his personal experience as a military-connected student on campus as well as the history of ���ϲ�����’s commitment to veterans and military-connected students. Nipper is currently a graduate student in the pursuing a master’s degree in public administration.

Sheneé 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.

���ϲ����� ��will deliver remarks as well as introduce the keynote speaker for the ceremony. Retired U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Laurie Coffey, L’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.”

“When I started to look to law schools, ���ϲ����� stood out for its recognition and acknowledgment of the contributions of Veterans,” says Coffey, who was celebrated as ���ϲ�����’s Hometown Hero during a recent football game. “This has been my first foray into a ‘civilian’ university, and�� I wasn’t 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.”

Those wishing to attend are asked to RSVP through the university’s . 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.

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’Aniello 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’s 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’s 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 ���ϲ����� football team, they were met by a campus community celebrating ���ϲ�����’s 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’s 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 ’20, G’22 (left), and U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Anthony Ruscitto ’22, G’23, pose for a photo at the 9th Annual Stars & Stripes Tailgate. Both Kessler and Ruscitto were active members of ���ϲ�����’s Student Veteran Organization and served on the organization’s executive board while enrolled as student veterans at the University.

The University’s Office of Admissions hosts multi-day introductory tours throughout the year for future transfer students from the nation’s four Military junior colleges. The students are part of the U.S. Army’s two-year early commissioning program, and some will select ���ϲ����� 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.

���ϲ�����’s 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’s 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.

���ϲ�����’s 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. ���ϲ����� and West Point haven’t 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’s Hometown Hero, Dr. Nicholas Armstrong G’08, Ph.D. ’14. Armstrong graduated from the prestigious military academy in 2000 and was able to attend the last matchup against ���ϲ����� in 1996. Armstrong went on to serve in the U.S. Army prior to becoming ���ϲ�����’s first Post-9/11 student veteran. He earned a master’s 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’Aniello Speaker Series at the National Veterans Resource Center in the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building.

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

Schwartzwalder famously coached the ���ϲ����� men’s football team through some of the school’s most iconic years in football, including the school’s 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’s 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, ’25, a student veteran at Falk College of Sport & Human Dynamics.

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

For more information on the university’s 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 ���ϲ�����’s D’Aniello 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’s 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 .

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

Military-connected students arriving for their first semester at ���ϲ����� 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. “This semester we are welcoming 22 new residential undergraduate student veterans to campus, adding to the total of 478 veterans we currently have enrolled at ���ϲ�����. 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,” said Ron Novack, executive director of the OVMA and a retired U.S. Army colonel. “These 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.”

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’s 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 ���ϲ�����. “We are proud to partner with ���ϲ�����’s Office of Veteran and Military Affairs to support student veterans,” said Strong. “This 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.”

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.”

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 ���ϲ�����.

Tillman Scholar Luis “Lu” Weierbach L’24

Most of Weierbach’s 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.

“My father wasn’t 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,” Weierbach says. “My mother eventually recovered, but we wound up losing most everything we owned while she healed.”

After moving around the city from place to place and trying to get back on their feet, Weierbach’s 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.

“My identity was very much tied to the city, where I found more diversity than I did in our new setting,” says Weierbach. “But, our move brought us closer to family, and through that community I was able to forge an identity.”

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.

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

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.

“I 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,” says Weierbach. “There’s also an energy there, and I felt it. It felt like a place I could see myself, somewhere I belonged.”

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�� 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.

“I decided to apply for the Funded Legal Education Program, I knew I wanted to continue service, but I also knew it wouldn’t be in the infantry,” Weierbach says.

While stationed in Hawaii, Weierbach fell in love with his now wife, Dana, someone he’d known since his earlier days in Hoosick Falls. Weierbach applied to ���ϲ����� 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’s commitment to military families and veterans.

“I knew that ���ϲ����� was the best place for veterans, but I didn’t 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,” Weierbach says.

It wasn’t 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.

“When you see some of those biographies, you immediately think that you don’t fit that bill. Even after being accepted, I think I’m still dealing with that dissonance,” says Weierbach. “But I admire the foundation and its mission, and I believe in Pat Tillman’s legacy and the energy that these folks have shown the world … that’s something I want to be a part of.”

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.

“I 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’s youth a healthy outlet through the sport of wrestling,” Weierbach says.

A common step for most of ���ϲ�����’s 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’s 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.

Entrepreneurship is one of the three major pathways that servicemembers pursue during the transition to their post-service lives. According to the , veterans are not only more likely than their civilian peers to start and run their own businesses but on average, they also out-earn their non-veteran counterparts.

The ���ϲ����� 2023 cohort for Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (photo courtesy of Angela Ryan).

During the Saturday evening graduation ceremony at the National Veterans Resource Center, J. Michael Haynie, IVMF’s Co-Founder and Executive Director, shared his personal opinion on what makes the program a success in preparing veterans for the challenges of entrepreneurship.

Mike Haynie, vice chancellor of strategic initiatives and innovation at ���ϲ�����, welcomes the 2023 EBV ���ϲ����� cohort.

“The EBV program really embodies the convergence of two truths that I hold very closely. The first of those is the power of business ownership to change the trajectory of lives and families,” says Haynie, a U.S. Air Force veteran and the University’s vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation. “The second truth is the resiliency, the grit, and the selflessness of those who have served, and how those attributes translate to the relentless pursuit of the next big challenge, however daunting that challenge may be.”

With more than 2,400 EBV graduates to date, the program also calls upon previous graduates who have seen significant success after attending one of the IVMF’s entrepreneurial training programs. One such graduate is U.S. Marine Corps veteran Chris Dambach, owner of Industry Standard USA. Dambach’s business provides construction and facility support services for government projects and has been featured on the Inc. 5,000 list celebrating the fastest-growing businesses in the United States.

Dambach also had a hand in recruiting one of this year’s graduates, local ���ϲ����� business owner and U.S. Air Force veteran, Brandon Johnson. Johnson is the owner of Crossett Property Management, which manages several properties located primarily in the Strathmore area of the city.

“I met Chris at a veteran-focused conference a few years ago, and we were talking about getting into the government contracting space eventually, and he told me I had to do the EBV program,” Johnson says. “Just feeling the energy in the room and being exposed to the faculty that’s here, it’s just a great refresher to keep our tools sharpened to go out there and be successful in business.”

Alex McKelvie, interim dean of the Whitman School, teaches a class for the 2023 Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans at ���ϲ����� cohort.

The program does more than teach about small business management, however, it also gets the participants out into the local community to speak with local business owners. This year’s cohort visited Dinosaur Bar-B-Que and Talking Cursive to learn firsthand what struggles local owners go through as they grow their businesses.

In addition to the EBV program, the at ���ϲ����� leverages access to world-class faculty for introductory lessons in entrepreneurship for a small group of participants with the Warrior Scholar Project (WSP).

The WSP program is designed to prepare transitioning service members for higher education. Understanding that most of the program participants haven’t been in an academic classroom for several years, WSP prepares participants for the rigors of higher education, equipping them with the tools necessary to be successful in the pursuit of their academic goals.

The WSP program spanned the course of two weeks; the first week focused on humanities and the second week focused on entrepreneurship. Tristan Whipps, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran studying information management technology and professional technical writing at the School of Information Studies, served as a business fellow over the summer to help guide and mentor this year’s participants after being a program graduate with last year’s cohort.

“The business week is designed to demystify business as an undergraduate degree. They’re getting a crash course on topics related to entrepreneurship like some legal considerations for entrepreneurship, branding and marketing, as well as small business finance,” Whipps says.

Crystal Houston, an adjunct professor in the Newhouse School, teaches a class on how to leverage social media to help grow a small business.

Both cohorts would not be nearly as successful without the dedication and support from professors and faculty members of ���ϲ�����. This year, 11 professors and faculty members from outside the IVMF taught crucial lessons in a range of disciplines between the two programs. Those faculty members are:

• Sean Branagan, director of the Center for Digital Media Entrepreneurship, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications
• Craig Champion, professor of history, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
• Carol Faulkner, professor and associate dean for academic affairs, the Maxwell School
• Tim Gerkin, professor of writing and rhetoric in the College of Arts and Sciences
• Crystal Houston, adjunct professor, the Newhouse School
• Thomas Keck, professor of political science, the Maxwell School
• Eileen Schell, professor of writing and rhetoric, the College of Arts and Sciences
• Alex McKelvie, interim dean, the Martin J. Whitman School of Management
• John Torrens, professor of entrepreneurial practice, the Whitman School
• Kenneth Walsleben, professor of practice, the Whitman School
• Elizabeth Wimer, assistant teaching professor, the Whitman School

John Wildhack, the University’s director of athletics, served as the guest speaker during the graduation ceremony. Wildhack shared some of his personal insight from his time during the startup of ESPN and provided some of his own advice to guide them on their path upon leaving campus and returning to their entrepreneurial journey.

“As you embark on your next chapter or continue to grow the business you’ve already established, identify what motivates you, what drives you, and what’s most important to you both in your work and as an individual,” Wildhack says. “For me, it’s the three F’s: Family, Faith and Friends.”

For more information on the programs and services offered to service members, veterans, and military-connected spouses, please visit the.

From left, Bill Rielly L’23, Amanda Higginson L’24, Natasha DeLeon L’25 and Katherine Quartaro 18, G’20, attended 2023 Pat’s Run as ���ϲ�����’s Tillman Scholars.

Amanda Higginson L’24, Natasha DeLeon L’25, Katherine Quartaro 18, G’20, and Bill Rielly L’23 joined 24 other Tillman Scholars from across the country to assist in leading approximately 1,000 participants each through the corral and through the 4.2-mile course of the event.

Tillman was a professional football player with the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals who, shortly after the events on Sept. 11, 2001, famously turned down a multimillion-dollar contract to serve in the military. After becoming a U.S. Army Ranger, Tillman deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

In 2004, Tillman was killed in action while supporting combat operations near the city of Khost. Several months after the world learned of Tillman’s death it was discovered the incident was due to a tragic friendly fire incident, instead of being due to enemy action as had been previously reported.

Tillman’s family and friends came together soon after his death to figure out a way to honor his legacy and started the first Pat’s Run in 2005. The first event brought approximately 5,000 runners together outside of Arizona State University’s Sun Devil Stadium.

Over the years since the event has seen an increasing number of participants each year, and its current attendance rate places it on par with larger runs like the Marine Corps Marathon, which brings in roughly 25,000 runners on average, and Chicago’s Hot Chocolate 5k, which sees more than 23,000 cross the finish line on average each year.

Retired U.S. Army Colonel Ron Novack, the executive director for ���ϲ�����’s Office of Veteran and Military Affairs, also participated in the run this year, along with Jolynn Parker, the director of the Center of Fellowship and Scholarship Advising. Both are regularly involved with the Tillman Scholarship selection process each year, Parker is regarded as a “must-see resource” for those interested in applying for the Tillman scholarship at ���ϲ�����, and Novack serves one of the national quarterfinal selection committees that review and selects the Tillman Scholars annually.

Jolynn Parker, director of the Center for Fellowship and Scholarship Advising (left), and Ron Novack, executive director for the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs at the 2023 Pat’s Run

“It was an honor to attend the Pat Tillman Foundation’s kickoff reception and participate in Pat’s Run in Tempe this year.�� It was particularly inspiring to meet so many Tillman Scholars and to hear from representatives of the foundation. They really are building the next generation of innovators and leaders,” says Parker, who also assists military-connected students interested in applying for a wide variety of scholarships and academic opportunities.

���ϲ����� is one of 18 University Partners with the Tillman Foundation and typically has at least one military-connected student selected as a Tillman Scholar each year. In 2022, four students from ���ϲ����� were selected as Tillman Scholars: Bill Rielly, Natasha DeLeon, Amanda Higginson and Anthony Ornelaz G’23, the largest cohort from ���ϲ����� selected for the scholarship in a single year.

The 2023 Tillman Scholars will be announced in June. Those scholars will later attend the Tillman Foundation’s leadership institute in Chicago where they will meet with previous Tillman Scholars and participate in Pat’s Run the following year.

Those military-connected students interested in applying for the Tillman Scholarship are encouraged to reach out to the , and check for updates from the on upcoming application windows and criteria for submitting.

As far back as the Revolutionary War, women had fought for liberty and freedoms they themselves, as women, could not benefit from. Passing the integration act officially recognized women as a part of the military, but there were still heavy restrictions that limited their career opportunities.

In 2013, 65 years after integration, women were authorized to enter jobs placing them on the front lines—a place they were already serving in the decade prior of conflict in Afghanistan and Iraq.

In honor of the 75^th Anniversary of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act, we proudly acknowledge and celebrate the contributions women from ���ϲ�����’s military-connected community have made through service. Several of them share their thoughts on the significance of, and their contributions to, the legacy of women in the military below.

Colleen Drum – U.S. Marine Corps Veteran

Drum served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a field radio operator from 2003-07. She says she joined for the adventure of seeing the world and to gain a sense of greater purpose. She now works as a program manager for the ’ (IVMF) Onward to Opportunity career training program.

Drum says that her military service taught her to be reliable, consistent and meticulous about planning. “I gained confidence in myself to know I can adapt and tackle anything that comes my way,” Drum says.

She says she’s proud to see the advancements women have made in the military, but also looks forward to seeing the positive accomplishments that will be made in the future.

“Women are powerful and by encouraging and empowering our strengths I believe the U.S. will continue to be the strongest military force in the world,” she says.

2^nd Lieutenant Liz Green – U.S. Air National Guard

Green is the executive director for with the College of Professional Studies. She recently completed the U.S. Air Force’s Officer Training School, having earlier in the year.

Her decision to join was influenced by her experiences with speaking about the University’s online programs for Air Force personnel at nearby Hancock Field.

“I spent a lot of time on the base, meeting with people like prospective students at least once a week. I had a connection with some of the wing leadership, so I was fortunate to have the opportunity to talk to them about the work I was doing,” says Green. “As that conversation meandered, they had an opportunity in public affairs they said would be a good fit, and the rest is history.”

Working in public affairs makes her aware of the issues facing the military today, including the ongoing effort for the inclusion of women within the military. Green says she’s already been exposed to some influential women, however.

“I am fortunate to have been inspired and supported by the women at my current unit, the 174^th Attack Wing, as well as the female trainees and instructors at Officer Training School. I hope to demonstrate even the tiniest bit of the leadership and resilience they have shown. It is through demonstrating such qualities that female service members can continue to empower positive change for the next generation,” says Green.

Kari Mickinkle ’11, G’20 – U.S. Marine Corps Veteran

Mickinkle is a school certifying official with the University’s . She supports military-connected students by handling the necessary administration between the University and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

From 2012-17, Mickinkle served in the U.S. Marine Corps, assigned to the military police. She says she joined looking for a sense of purpose she had not found in life, and thought doing something unexpected would help her find it.

Mickinkle says that while she has seen positive changes for women in the military, she wants to make sure that women are being given a seat at the table not just because of a “check-the-box” mentality, but because women have earned it.

Her time in the service was influenced by other women who went before her, and she recalls a particular mentor that taught her a lot about leadership.

“I had a female first sergeant who knew the appropriate times to educate versus going straight into chewing someone out,” says Mickinkle. She was impressed by the woman’s ability to make it clear she wasn’t someone to cross.

“To do that in an organization where you don’t see a lot of female leadership, especially on the enlisted side, was just awe-inspiring,” Mickinkle says.

Amanda Gritsavage LaLonde ’23 – U.S. Navy Veteran

LaLonde recently finished her undergraduate studies at ���ϲ����� and was selected as a in 2022. She graduated from the College of Arts and Sciences with a bachelor’s of science in psychology and forensic science and now works as a program coordinator for the IVMF’s Community Navigator Pilot Program.

LaLonde served in the U.S. Navy from 2005-14 as a Machinist Mate Second Class in the Navy, she says one of the first lessons she learned during her nuclear engineering training has stuck with her.

“It was the 6 Ps: Prior Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance,” says LaLonde. She says it reminds her to plan ahead to keep disappointments at a minimum.

LaLonde’s great aunt, Alice Gritsavage, retired from the U.S. Army as a colonel and served as an inspiration for her decision to join the military.

“My great aunt served during World War II and the Korean War and was appointed by General Douglas MacArthur as Chief Nurse of the Far East Command,” says LaLonde. “She was able to obtain medical supplies and equipment when they were scarce during the war. She is also the first woman to have a VFW [Veterans of Foreign Wars] Korean War Veterans chapter named in her honor.”

During her time in the Navy, LaLonde says she experienced plenty of moments where being a woman resulted in her being passed up for advancement opportunities. Enlisted women were not able to serve on submarines until the year after she left the Navy.

“Women can now serve aboard submarines, In 2022 the first female executive officer of a submarine was appointed, as well as the first enlisted female chief of a submarine, serving as senior enlisted advisor to the commanding and executive officers,” says LaLonde. “These are huge milestones for women in the Navy, but there can certainly be more progress made.”

Patricia Piazza – U.S. Navy Veteran

Patricia Piazza served in the U.S. Navy from 1982-2002, retiring after 20 years of service as a Navy leadership facilitator. She is currently the Florida military community program manager for .

During her time in the Navy, Piazza found her passion for career development and training, something that continues to benefit her to this day as she helps service members navigate the complexities of transitioning out of military service.

Piazza served at a time when the military had placed a cap on how many women could serve, fearing substantial readiness issues if it allowed too many women into the ranks.

Known as the “Woman Pause” of the 1980s, the policy limited women’s representation in the military to 2% of the total armed forces, and each military branch was limited to a single commissioned officer at the 0-6 rate.

Piazza acknowledges that the military has advanced in opening doorways for women, but there is still work to be done.

“I think the military has made some progress since I was on active duty however, my daughter is now serving on active duty and she is still facing the same stereotypes and biases I did in equality and fairness on evaluations, billet options and career enhancement opportunities against her male counterparts within her command,” Piazza says.

Mast Sergeant Jennifer Renee Pluta G’15 – U.S. Army Reserve

Jennifer Pluta runs within the University’s Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA). She has served with the U.S. Army Reserve since 1999 and continues to serve as an Army Reserve career counselor.

Her overlap in career counseling helps her develop and maintain crucial relationships with the University’s hiring partners and companies actively seeking veterans for their workforce.

“I am privileged to serve as an Army Reserve career counselor, which has impacted my career at ���ϲ�����. This role has uniquely positioned me to understand the skills and experiences of student veterans, specifically having the ability to see how their experiences transfers into their desired career paths,” says Pluta.

She has observed extensive changes in the military and how restrictions have been lifted on women over the course of her career. She recalls how women like Lieutenant General Jody J. Daniels, the command general of the U.S. Army Reserve Command, navigated historically unforeseen challenges within today’s Army Reserve.

“Today’s Army is one that has opened up the doors of opportunity for female soldiers, opportunities that once were limited to male soldiers,” Pluta says.

As part of the initiative to make ���ϲ����� the best place for veterans, the University routinely observes and recognizes significant anniversaries in military history, and celebrates the accomplishments of its military-connected community. For more information, visit the .

Located in the George W. Bush Presidential Center, the George W. Bush Institute is a nonpartisan policy organization focused on ensuring opportunity for all, strengthening democracy and advancing free societies.

Abner

Abner and Pluta will both meet the rest of this year’s 34-person cohort on July 11 when they travel to Dallas, Texas, for their first in-person session. While some of the program is designed for remote learning, the scholars will meet in person in Dallas three times, and then a final time in Washington, D.C., for their last in-person session.

The institute developed the first-of-its kind Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program to support individuals serving our nation’s veterans and military families. Particularly, the institute seeks those who are motivated to broaden their skillsets, knowledge and influence across the country in their individual efforts to support the military-connected communities they serve.

Abner is the Texas region program manager for Onward to Opportunity and works remotely from the San Antonio area. As the daughter of a U.S. Army soldier, the wife of a U.S. Navy veteran and mother of a U.S. Navy veteran, she brings valuable insight into the issues and challenges facing military families around the world.

Abner says her experience as a military spouse was frustrating at times. The lack of professional connections, or even the ability to develop such connections, was challenging for her. Like many professional spouses throughout the military, Abner didn’t feel welcome in the spouse groups, and she often avoided the social events hosted by her husband’s command. According to her, the Bush Center has rolled out the red carpet in accepting her to the cohort and supportive in her mission.

“I want to develop and cultivate a socially robust career development program that assists military spouses with identifying a meaningful career direction after active military service in a fun and connective way,” says Abner.

“I thank the IVMF leadership for believing in my ability to participate in VLP while maintaining the highest level of service for the Onward to Opportunity program in Texas,” she says. “I cannot wait to get started and I appreciate this opportunity to potentially build something that will bring value to our organization and for the military spouses we serve.”

Pluta

Pluta is the director of at the OVMA and a master sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserve, where she has overlapping duties as a career counselor for troops in her unit. By providing valuable career-related guidance to troops and veterans alike, she brings unique insight into the employment situation for the military-connected community.

Pluta has maintained a 100% employment rate for graduating student veterans at ���ϲ����� for more than five years, contributing heavily to what makes the University stand out among other institutions of higher education when it comes to providing services for student veterans.

“It is an honor and a privilege to be among those selected to attend the Class of 2023 George W. Bush Institute Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program this year. I look forward to the challenges and educational opportunities that come from attending and can’t wait to begin networking with other dedicated advocates within the veteran community,” Pluta says.

“The lessons I learn over the five months of this program will let me better serve our military-connected students here at ���ϲ�����, as well as the troops in my reserve unit, and I look forward to bringing that knowledge back to share with my colleagues,” she says.

More than 170 people have graduated from the Veteran Leadership Program, both veterans and nonveterans alike, and come from a wide variety of professional backgrounds. The IVMF has been fortunate to have representation in each of the program’s cohorts to date and looks forward to contributing subject matter experts to help in the development of this year’s cohort.

Military-connected students pose for a group photo at the end of the 2023 Student Veteran Commencement ceremony. (Photo by Jeremy Brinn)

The ��welcomed the campus community to the on May 12, for a day of celebrating the academic achievements of graduating military-connected students.

The day started with an early morning at the Student Veterans Commencement Ceremony. Approximately 216 military-connected students graduated from their academic programs in 2023, or will graduate over the coming summer months, earning undergraduate, graduate, law and doctoral degrees, as well as completing advanced certification programs from the University’s thirteen schools and colleges.

Military-connected students include those who are physically here on campus and those taking classes virtually from the comfort of home or forward-deployed positions throughout the world. Many are also members of the Student Veterans Organization at ���ϲ�����, the official student organization registered with Student Activities on campus, and the University’s official chapter of the Student Veterans of America.

John Nipper ’23, President of the ���ϲ����� Student Veterans Organization.

Graduating senior John Nipper, a U.S. Navy veteran who was recently elected as President of the SVO, spoke during the ceremony about the unique experiences student veterans face in pursuing academic goals through higher education and how the college experience differs for military-connected students. “Our time at ���ϲ����� has not only provided us with the knowledge and skills to excel in our chosen fields, but it has also offered us the opportunity to forge lifelong friendships, engage in thought-provoking discourse, and broaden our horizons,” says Nipper, who will return to campus next semester to pursue a master’s degree in public administration from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. “We are not merely University graduates but ambassadors for the power of education and its transformative impact on our lives. Let us use our newfound knowledge to advocate for change, inspire future generations, and build bridges of understanding and compassion,” Nipper says.

Dr. Kwuan Paruchabutr ‘01

The keynote speaker for the ceremony was Dr. Kwuan Paruchabutr ’01, a U.S. Army veteran and an assistant professor at the Uniformed Services University. Dr. Paruchabutr is also the president-elect for the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health. “Life is about constant reinvention. I have had to continuously learn, unlearn and re-learn. It’s about the journey, not the destination,” says Paruchabutr, who graduated from ���ϲ�����’s School of Nursing in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. “You have all overcome challenges and shown incredible dedication, for that you should be proud. As you move forward in your careers and lives, remember the lessons you have learned and never forget the impact you can have on the world.”

During the ceremony, student veterans were awarded the red, white and blue honor cords to wear with their graduation regalia at the University’s Commencement Ceremony, or their individual school or college’s convocation celebrations. The cord is given in honor of their military service and acknowledgment of their academic achievement. Additionally, student veterans have the option to wear a stole which distinctly identifies those graduating students who have served in the military.

Phil Benedict G’23

Among the student veterans graduating this year, Phil Benedict, who served in both the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy Reserve, earned a master’s degree in teaching and curriculum from the School of Education. Benedict works for ���ϲ����� Facilities Services as a building supervisor, and also teaches a women’s self-defense class and is the head coach for the ���ϲ����� boxing team.

After a brief reception following the ceremony, the K.G. Tan Auditorium doors opened back up to welcome guests to the Army and Air Force Commissioning Celebration. The University’s U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force ROTC detachments held individual commissioning ceremonies later in the day, where cadets took the Oath of Office and were pinned as Second Lieutenants in their respective branches.

J. Michael Haynie, ���ϲ����� Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation

���ϲ�����’s Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation, J. Michael Haynie, served as a part of the official party for the ceremony and during his opening remarks addressed the growing military-civilian divide that exists within the United States. “Each of you being commissioned today will join the profession of arms at a time in history when the majority of American citizens do not know you, do not understand the full weight of the burden that you will carry, or truly comprehend the price that some of you may be asked to pay,” says Haynie. “Those people who do not know you, those people who do not understand the price of service, are not in this room. They certainly are not among the leadership of this University.”

Later in the day the U.S. Army ROTC, the Stalwart Battalion, and the U.S. Air Force ROTC, Detachment 353, held separate ceremonies to formally commission the new Lieutenants. The graduating cadets took the Oath of Office and were pinned with their new rank as Second Lieutenants with family and friends on hand. Many of the new Lieutenants received their first salute during the ceremony, rendered by friends and family who either had served or currently are serving. The Stalwart Battalion commissioned twenty-three new officers for the U.S. Army, and Detachment 353 commissioned nine new officers for the U.S. Air Force.

The Office of Veteran and Military Affairs proudly celebrates the accomplishments of these graduating military-connected students and invites the campus community to and celebrations from throughout the day. Additionally, those interested in learning more about ���ϲ�����’s commitment to being the “Best Place for Veterans” are encouraged to visit ���ϲ�����’s .

Chi

Large, multinational organizations often deal with complex issues when it comes to the intersection of fiscal requirements and government regulations. U.S. Army Captain Bong Chi is among the group of financial professionals tasked with managing the Army’s budget and fiscal policies. When he graduates from the Whitman School of Management’s ��this summer, he will join the growing list of financial experts who have moved on to juggle the fiscal requirements for the Department of Defense (DoD), the largest federal agency in the country.

After growing up in Seoul, South Korea, Chi came to the United States for high school and soon found an opportunity to pursue a career in finance and accounting. After graduating high school in 2009, he enlisted in the military through the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) Program, a recruitment program for immigrants and non-immigrants interested in joining the U.S. military.

Upon becoming a basic finance soldier, he learned about Whitman’s DoD program and its prestigious status within the Army’s Finance Corps. Bong says he was interested in the program and made it a goal to attend later in his career when he would become eligible.

The DCP is Whitman’s flagship program for the Department of Defense. ���ϲ����� first developed the Army Comptrollership Program in 1952 with the DoD, and later developed DCP to be the graduate-level training needed to meet the needs of the service. The program gives future comptrollers and government resource managers the tools and management skills needed to effectively navigate the increasingly complex fiscal environment of the U.S. government.

“The program is designed for senior captains or junior majors on the officer side, or staff sergeants and above on the enlisted side. Primarily it’s for those who don’t have a master’s or graduate degree, it’s not disqualifying to have one, but it won’t move you to the top of the line,” Chi says. The 14-month education program is relatively fast-paced and is known to be a challenging program for those who are accepted. With applicants coming from all over the DoD, the screening and selection process is considered highly competitive.

Today, the DCP has evolved to offer other opportunities for mid-career servicemembers accepted into the program. The military-connected students also take classes with the to earn a master’s degree in public administration. It’s an important aspect of the increasingly bureaucratic nature of the government and speaks to the growing challenges with public-private partnerships and agreements.

“One of the biggest challenges with being a finance officer is figuring out how to make sure your senior leaders understand that managing resources is not just about the dollar signs in front of them,” says Chi. “If your supervisor, or the organization’s leadership, does not understand how to effectively manage resources at all, that can be the biggest challenge.”

Part of the reason DCP has higher standards and requirements is to ensure students are coming to the classroom with the right foundation of experience to build upon. Chi could have remained on the enlisted side of the military and still had the opportunity to attend DCP, but he decided to pursue becoming a commissioned officer. After a deployment to Kuwait, where he supported both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, Chi was encouraged to apply for one of the U.S. Army’s most popular enlisted to commissioning programs. Each branch of service has its own unique process for qualified enlisted service members to earn a commission. For Chi, that program was the Green to Gold program, which gave him the opportunity to attend college at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.

“When I joined, I wanted to just finish my initial obligation and get out, but as I spent more time in the military, I started to love the military culture and professionalism,” says Chi. “All the leaders that I was fortunate to work with made me eager to learn more about military leadership, so went through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps at the University of Colorado, where I majored in business administration and minored in military history.”

While Chi was able to stay in the Finance Corps after becoming a commissioned officer, the transition also came with challenges that would pull him out of his comfort zone. Prior to coming to ���ϲ�����, Chi was serving as the Aide de Camp to British Major General Michael Keating, deputy commanding general for support of the III Armored Corps, at Fort Hood, Texas. Chi says that while the job was challenging, it was rewarding in how it has allowed him to gain a unique perspective in managing resources.

“All the things I have learned as a finance soldier, and as a finance comptroller officer—the information, knowledge and experience—came together in the Aide de Camp responsibility. It’s a very unique and special experience where you’re serving a general officer who continuously mentors and counsels you to become a better leader and teaches you how to think strategically in a large-scale combat operation, giving more thoughtful decision(s) at every doorstep in my professional career,” says Chi. “There is a lot of administrative stuff that people typically think about with the job, but the general I worked for was managing the resources of the Corps. A part of his responsibility is to manage sustainment operations for the Corps that has over 20,000 soldiers and families across four divisions at four different bases; not just the money, but the people, equipment and other material needs.”

Chi says the experience of working at that level was invaluable. It let him work firsthand with the complexity of a large organization with ongoing global operations. Beyond just keeping a balanced budget book, the position let him see the greater impact of his role in the organization and let him see the effectiveness of efficiently managing resources at such a large scale.

After graduating from Whitman in the summer, Chi will leave ���ϲ����� behind and report to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where his education will continue. Chi has been selected for promotion to the rank of major, and prior to reporting into his next unit as a finance and comptroller officer will undergo 44 weeks of training and professional development at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. He says he looks forward to taking the knowledge and information he’s learned here at ���ϲ����� and sharing it with his soldiers in the future.

“I’m already planning on how I can use everything I learned at DCP, the very first thing is maintaining a connection, not just keeping the contact information but maintaining the relationship with the leaders I’ve met here in DCP. With the potential of the knowledge and skills I’ve learned here, I want to maintain those relationships so I can always get their recommendations and develop better, or more effective, solutions,” Chi says.

Looking ahead, Chi says he wants to finish out his career with the military, with a wife and young child at home, he sees the benefits of a full military career but is open looking into other opportunities that will allow him to apply everything he has learned in the military. For now, though, he says he’s grateful for where he is and what he has learned along the way and looks forward to telling others about his time at ���ϲ�����.

“DCP will always be a highlight of my career to share when talking to others, even telling senior figures about not just the educational benefit of the program, but the benefit of developing management skills, your leadership style, or even just getting to know yourself better in a different environment,” Chi says.

To learn more about DCP and other programs for Department of Defense employees at ���ϲ�����, as well as the university’s historic commitment to supporting service members, veterans, and their families, please visit the .

Bernard Rostker G’66, G’70 (right) speaks in the K.G. Tan Auditorium during “The All Volunteer Force at 50: Higher Education and America’s Volunteer Military” summit at the National Veterans Resource Center.

Applications for the 2023 Bernard D. and Louis C. Rostker IVMF Dissertation Research Fund are open through May 26. Doctoral candidates at ���ϲ����� who are doing dissertation research pertaining to veterans, or military family-related topics, are encouraged to apply. The fund is open to Ph.D. candidates from all schools and colleges and can be used for travel expenses, software, equipment and conferences, as well as fieldwork and data gathering.

Last year, five students received a total of $50,000 in funding through the Rostker Fund. Their doctoral research ranged in topic from women veteran’s health and employment to understanding how prior military experience impacts law enforcement officers who are veterans.

One of the 2022 Rostker Scholars, Mariah Brennan, works at the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) in the research and evaluation division. Her research contributed to the most recent Military Families Lifetime Survey (MFLS), a bi-annual research publication that focuses on the current hardships and situations military families face.

Brennan

“As a student, I have received incredible support from the IVMF including mentorship, valuable research experience and generous funding from the Rostker Dissertation Fellowship. Working with colleagues on the annual MFLS has been such a positive experience, and I am grateful for the opportunity to hone my research skills by working on impactful military and veteran research,” says Brennan, who worked extensively with Blue Star Families, one of the IVMF’s partners in delivering insightful research and data analysis on topics pertaining to veterans and their families.

“Each year is different, keeping things fresh and exciting. The MFLS is an opportunity to inform policy and practice, and I am thrilled to be a part of it. I look forward to continuing my worked with the IVMF and making progress on my dissertation,” she says.

The funding for the program is provided entirely through the generosity of Bernard Rostker G’66, G’70 and his wife, Louise Rostker G’68, both of whom pursued their advanced degrees at ���ϲ����� amidst myriad setbacks as military-connected students. Bernard earned a master’s degree and a doctoral degree in economics, while Louise earned a master’s degree in social work.

Bernard, a U.S. Army Veteran, was recently honored by the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at the second annual Maxwell Awards of Excellence in Washington, D.C., where he was presented the Spirit of Public Service Award. Earlier in the month, he was a guest speaker during “The All-Volunteer Force at 50: Higher Education and America’s Volunteer Military” summit.

Linsner

During the summit, the 2022 Rostker Scholars had the opportunity to present their work to the Rostkers and show the impact of their research so far. Rachel Linsner, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Human Development and Family Science in the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, spoke about her dissertation examining the relationships between military spouse employment status, attitudes toward the military, individual well-being and family functioning.

“I am very grateful to the Rostkers and I am making progress on my dissertation because of their generosity and this program,” says Linsner. “The scholars had the opportunity to meet with the Rostkers and present our work to them. It was a delight to hear their feedback and learn from their expertise.”

���ϲ����� Ph.D. candidates interested in applying must , including one reference letter, by midnight (EST) on May 26, 2023. Applicants can anticipate receiving notification later in the year at the end of August. Potential applicants who have questions may contact ivmresearch@syr.edu.

The Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Endowed Florence Scholarship is named after U.S. Navy veteran Daniel D’Aniello ’68, H’20 and his wife. D’Aniello studied abroad in Florence, Italy, when he was a student at ���ϲ�����, and seized the opportunity to ensure other military-connected students at his alma mater could also benefit from studying overseas.

The scholarship recipients will receive substantial financial support over the semester. Not only will their tuition be covered for the semester, but the scholarship also provides funding for travel expenses to and from Italy, cost of living in the country, as well as a personal stipend to ensure the students can enjoy the local culture.

While the G.I. Bill has been through several iterations since it’s inception in 1944, each with substantial improvements, it currently does not provide the opportunity for recipients to study abroad. There are limited programs that offer the ability to study abroad, like the which is offered through the U.S. Department of State. The uncertainty of receiving a scholarship through those programs can result in a lot of last-minute changes that can cause substantial hardship for the student.

The first four military-connected students at ���ϲ����� who will receive this extraordinary scholarship opportunity are:

Marisa Ashworth ’24

Ashworth is a junior majoring in cybersecurity administration in the College of Engineering and Computer Science. She served on active duty in the U.S. Coast Guard for 11 years and currently serves in the Coast Guard Reserve. Ashworth plans to continue her education after graduation and intends to focus on either earning a master’s degree in cybersecurity or a law degree with a focus on policy and law related to technology.

“I am looking forward to the study abroad experience in Florence, Italy, as it will be an excellent opportunity to learn about Italian culture and education. In addition, I am excited to immerse myself and my family in the Italian way of life and broaden my perspective on the world,” Ashworth says.

Abigail Fitzpatrick ’26

Fitzpatrick is a first-year student studying both political science in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and College of Arts and Sciences and citizenship and civic engagement in the Maxwell School. Originally from Monterey, California, Fitzpatrick is the daughter of a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served for 20 years and currently teaches at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey. She plans to continue her education after graduation by pursuing a graduate degree or going to law school.

“I look forward to exploring Florence’s culture, especially the food and rich history. I am also excited about forming close bonds with the other students in the program and taking the exciting classes offered in Florence. I chose ���ϲ����� because of the fantastic opportunities provided by the Maxwell School, which have allowed me to find my place in a smaller community of students and faculty while having all the benefits of a large university,” Fitzpatrick says.

Brenda Osorio ’25

Osorio is a first-generation college student and sophomore majoring in policy studies in the Maxwell School and College of Arts and Sciences. She plans to work as an international policy consultant after graduation and plans to pursue a master’s degree in international relations in the future. Both of Osorio’s parents served in the military, one in the the U.S. Marine Corps and one in the U.S. Army.�� Osorio served as president of the Student Association at Jefferson Community College prior to transferring to ���ϲ�����.

“���ϲ����� has given me access to so many different opportunities, whether through the military community or other communities within ���ϲ�����. It has helped me build so many different connections and relationships that have been invaluable. Studying abroad in Florence will help me learn about the politics of the European Union, Italian politics and immigration in Europe, as well as first-hand experience of the impact of international policy on the Italian people,” Osorio says.

Myra Wong ’24

Wong is the daughter of dual-military parents, both her father and mother served in the U.S. Army. She is currently a junior pursuing a dual major in public relations in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and political science in the Maxwell School and College of Arts and Sciences. Her goal after graduation is to work with a national nonprofit organization, where she hopes to use her communication skills to help the vulnerable members of society.

“Working with people who are not from ���ϲ����� and not from the United States will give me more experience working with diverse groups and cultures. From what I have heard from friends, the work culture outside of the U.S. is very different, and I am excited to see this for myself,” Wong says.

Those students interested in taking advantage of studying overseas for a semester are encouraged to learn what programs are available through . Those eligible students interested in applying for the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Endowed Florence Scholarship are encouraged to attend future information sessions hosted by the .

Sebastian Junger poses with military-connected students from the Military Visual Journalism program at S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

Among some of the most prolific writers of the last century, a handful experienced the hardship of telling the stories of war. John Steinbeck, Martha Gellhorn, Jack London and Ernest Hemingway; all covered the harrowing and dangerous world that exists on the front lines of combat. Award-winning documentary filmmaker, journalist and author Sebastian Junger covered the dangerous frontier environment of Afghanistan’s civil war before the arrival of U.S. forces in late 2001 and embedded with U.S. forces in some of the most remote locations in the war-torn nation afterward.

Junger was recently on campus to serve as the guest speaker for the opening reception of “The All-Volunteer Force at 50: Higher Education and America’s Volunteer Military” summit at the National Veterans Resource Center. Prior to the speaking engagement that evening, Junger spent time with the military-connected community on campus during a private event at the .

Junger speaks to a full room inside Newhouse 3 during a presentation for the Military Visual Journalism students at Newhouse.

One of the key groups within the audience was students from . The 10-month course is restricted to Department of Defense (DoD) mid-career communications professionals who, typically, are among the top performers among their peers. The program’s application is considered highly competitive due to the program’s prestigious history of producing award-winning storytellers within the Department of Defense, and it is not uncommon for the MVJ class to have a few students who, like Junger, have experienced telling the stories from the frontlines of conflict zones.

“The MVJ program takes some of the Department of Defense’s best and brightest communicators and puts them through two intense semesters that build upon their storytelling abilities and hones them into highly effective communicators. When they leave here, they are turning around and using those skills and lessons in a real-world environment that most of us will never experience,” said Nancy Austin, the deputy director of the Military Visual Journalism Program at Newhouse. “They typically receive instruction from professors who have amassed extraordinary experience in the civilian world, so it’s not often they get to learn from those who have done the job from a war zone while they are here.”

Junger reflected on how he hadn’t initially set out to become a war correspondent, his intent had been to simply write about dangerous jobs and the people who did them. His first book, “The Perfect Storm,” was about the tragic loss of a fishing crew from New England, which was later turned into a Hollywood movie with the same name. He would later make his way to Afghanistan to report on the Civil War that ravaged the nation after the 1989 Soviet Union withdrawal. After the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, Junger began to shift his focus to the arrival of U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

Junger speaks with a military-connected student after his presentation with Military Visual Journalism students at S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

“A lot of militaries in the world, they don’t want journalists near anything they’re doing, they’re completely suppressive with their information. The fact that the U.S. military is mandated to have journalists with them, both military and civilian, is one of the things that makes this democratic country extraordinary,” says Junger.

With some members of the audience having previously experienced combat, Junger touched on some of the hardships that come with reporting on traumatic events in war-torn environments. While the memories of explosions and shootouts fade over the years, according to Junger, the memories of those negatively impacted by the atrocities never lose their grasp.

“What I’ve found is this: I’ve been in danger many times, and those experiences were temporarily upsetting. My reaction to them dissipated over time, but what never dissipated was the trauma of seeing the harm done to others,” Junger says. “There’s something about the human capacity for compassion and empathy, it’s devastating. That stuff has to be covered, but the people who are doing that important work will be traumatized for the rest of their lives.”

Being a war correspondent has obvious risks, the DoD has lost more than 130 communications professionals since World War I. In fact, the first woman Marine Corps officer to be killed in action in Iraq was a public affairs officer, Major Megan McClung, in 2006. The military’s combat correspondents, public affairs officers, photojournalists and combat photographers embed with front-line units to inform combat commanders, as well as the American public, with first-hand accounts of the military’s operations.

Gregory Heisler, a Distinguished Professor of Photography at S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, take a portrait of Junger after a presentation for Newhouse’s Military Visual Journalism students.

Civilian correspondents and journalists on the front lines are not immune from the harm and danger, either. Aside from Junger’s own personal experiences, he spoke briefly about losing fellow photojournalist, and friend, Tim Hetherington. Hetherington co-directed the award-winning documentary “Restrepo,” with Junger, and was later killed in 2011 while covering the Libyan civil war. In 2013, Junger directed the memorial documentary “Which Way is the Front Line From Here? The Life and Death of Tim Hetherington,” to tell the story of a man who lost his life telling stories of, and for, other people.

Newhouse has trained the military’s top communications professionals for almost six decades now. The U.S. Navy, recognizing the need for additional training for their storytellers, established the program in 1963 and the other branches of the military were quick to take advantage of the educational opportunity. Over the years the program has evolved to include specializations in different communications disciplines. A motion media track was added in 1993. Adapting to the changing technology and capabilities with communication today, the school offers a track in graphic design as well as the photojournalism and broadcast journalism track.

For more information on the Military Visual Journalism program, and ���ϲ�����’s historic commitment to service members, veterans, and their families, please visit the .

Emily Weaver ’24

According to the Department of Defense, interest in military service is on the decline among the nation’s youth, especially those who are qualified for military service. Only 9% indicated they would likely serve in the military; such a low percentage hasn’t been experienced since the months leading up to the 2008 financial crisis.

Emily Weaver ’24, a cadet with the U.S. Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) at ���ϲ�����, is among one-quarter of young adults who are interested in serving and have at least one parent who has served as well. Weaver grew up in Western New York, in Mount Morris, where she and her older brother watched their father depart for multiple deployments.

“My experience growing up was a little bit different from those that I went to school with,” says Weaver, a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences where she is pursuing a triple major in earth science, forensic science and anthropology. “I grew up in a military family, my dad served in the U.S. Navy for 34 years and retired as a commander, but he was constantly deployed. My brother and I just understood from a young age that being in the military comes with sacrifice and a difficult lifestyle.”

Having grown up a couple hours from campus, Weaver was aware of ���ϲ����� prior to enrolling. The proximity to home wasn’t her primary reason for coming here though—she says it was the academic variety and the school’s military initiatives that were most compelling.

“When I was looking at college choices, I wanted someplace that was military friendly because I wanted to do ROTC, but I also wanted to go to a school that had the academic variety where I could study the disciplines I was interested in,” says Weaver.

Weaver is currently the deputy group commander for the University’s Air Force ROTC, making her the second-in-command among the cadets at Detachment 535. Next academic year she’ll step up and become ���ϲ�����’s highest ranking Air Force ROTC cadet. She has been selected to become the next group commander for the ROTC program. If the responsibilities of leadership and the academic demands of a triple-major were not enough to juggle with her schedule, Weaver is also pursuing a private pilot’s license and, to date, has almost 100 hours logged already.

Additionally, she has volunteered her time with ���ϲ����� CHAARG (Changing Healthy Attitudes and Actions to Recreate Girls), an organization whose mission is to inspire college students, particularly women, to pursue a healthy and active way of life.

“It’s a woman-based workout club basically. It helps provide insight to women on the different type of exercise you can do and empower them to feel comfortable going to the gym, and just having better well-being overall,” says Weaver. Part of the reason she gives her time in helping other women, she says, is because of the impact other women have had on her during her time at ���ϲ�����.

“Whether it’s the female cadre at the detachment, friends or even fellow cadets in ROTC, they’re some of the most intelligent, hard-working and driven women that I know,” Weaver says.

Looking ahead at military service, Weaver says she wants to pursue a career in military aviation. There are several spots she can apply for, but becoming a pilot in the Air Force can be extremely challenging. Being selected for an aviation program, whether it be as a pilot, remotely-piloted aircraft pilot or combat systems officer, would put Weaver on a unique path that many others, including her peers, are actively seeking.

“We just put in our packages, and hopefully by the end of this semester or the beginning of summer, we’ll find out the results from that. Ultimately, pilot would be my first choice, but I’ll gladly serve in any capacity that they tell me to,” Weaver says.

Weaver is quick to acknowledge that military service comes with distinct challenges many of her fellow classmates may not find appealing, but her experiences have been more of an influence to serve, rather than a deterrence.

“You’re always on call with the military, and even though you might not wear a uniform all the time, you’re always still ‘in uniform’ in a way,” says Weaver. “There’s also a higher sense of discipline that comes with being in the military and being in a military family. At the end of the day, the primary reason I’m choosing the military though is because I’ll be working with a very team-oriented group of people who are all there for the same overarching mission: to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and protect the citizens of this country. It’s a tough job, and it comes with a lot of sacrifice. It’s not for everyone but that’s why those that do it understand the sacrifice and the risk that come with it.”

Staff from the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families show off in Orange on National Orange Day at the start of Veteran EDGE 2023. Photo by Michael Parks of Daystar Photography.

During 2022, ���ϲ�����’s delivered 161 entrepreneurship training programs across the nation to more than 3,000 military-connected participants. One of those events, the annual Veteran EDGE conference, is among the largest convenings of established veteran and military spouse business owners in the United States.

Panelists during a moderated discussion titled “Doing Business With Big Business,” during Veteran EDGE 2023. Photo by Michael Parks of Daystar Photography.

Veteran EDGE (Engage, Develop, Grow, Elevate) convened in Dallas, Texas last month. Part of what makes the IVMF’s entrepreneurship events successful is leveraging University professors in the field of small business and entrepreneurship from the Whitman School of Management, along with many other professionals from around the country, to conduct the intensive training modules.

“Part of the reason why I get excited when IVMF asks me to teach their veteran populations is I get to show appreciation to the people who have sacrificed for the place I call home and help them become entrepreneurs in a way that translates their service into the greater good of their community,” says Elizabeth Wimer G’06, assistant teaching professor of entrepreneurship at Whitman, and the granddaughter of a World War II veteran who attended ���ϲ����� on the G.I. Bill.

Nearly 200 military-affiliated business owners attended the training event which featured keynote speakers, breakout sessions, discussion panels and fireside chats. The 2023 Inc. Magazine’s Vet100 list highlighting the fastest growing veteran-owned businesses was also announced during the event. In addition, at EDGE, ten companies were selected to receive $10,000 in capital thanks to the D’Aniello Family Foundation Acceleration Business Challenge created by Daniel D’Aniello ’68, U.S. Navy veteran, University Life Trustee and IVMF Advisory Board Co-Chair.

“Entrepreneurs are best positioned to drive change, bring innovation and new ideas to some of the most pressing challenges that we, as a country, face today. I’ve been privileged and honored to have the opportunity to watch entrepreneurship change the lives of students, families, and communities—and that’s what keeps me going,” says J. Michael Haynie, vice chancellor for Strategic initiatives and innovation, IVMF’s founder and executive director and Barnes professor of entrepreneurship,

J. Michael Haynie, ���ϲ����� Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation, and IVMF Founder and Executive Director, speaks at the opening of Veteran EDGE 2023. Photo by Michael Parks of Daystar Photography.

Each day, participants learned from some of the leading voices in today’s conversations around veteran small business ownership. One of those voices is retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Barbara Carson, IVMF’s managing director of programs and services, who spoke to the audience about why the conference is so relevant to today’s veteran entrepreneur community.

“We have seen joint ventures, contracts and new businesses come out of the magic that is Veteran EDGE. Perhaps more importantly, these relationships help us navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship,” says Carson, who is located in ���ϲ�����’s Washington D.C. office. “Growing and scaling a business is challenging, but having a network of battle buddies in business who understand some of the unique obstacles that veterans and military-connected entrepreneurs face can make all the difference.”

With more than 8,000 graduates from the IVMF’s entrepreneurship programs, several are among the top performers in their industries at a national level. Sponsored by one of the IVMF’s strategic partners, Fiserv, the Inc. Vet100 Awards Dinner celebrates those businesses which have excelled in growth over the last year.

The 2023 Vet100 list included twenty-four awardees who graduated from one of the IVMF’s programs, the largest number of IVMF alumni to appear on the annual list to date. The 2023 list also featured 10 women entrepreneurs, six of whom are IVMF program graduates, such as Venus Quates.

Quates, a U.S. Air Force veteran, graduated from the IVMF’s Veteran Women Igniting the Spirt of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE) program and is in third place on this year’s Vet 100. Her company, LaunchTech, LLC, provides expert support in navigating critical infrastructure from the cradle to the grave, focusing on innovation and modernization, information security and assurance, and systems engineering for enterprise customers in both public and private sectors.

Assistant Teaching Professor Elizabeth Wimer (left), from the Whitman School of Management, with Nneka Bell, a U.S. Navy Veteran and participant at Veteran EDGE 2023. Photo by Michael Parks of Daystar Photography.

“For LaunchTech to be recognized for the second year in a row amongst my fellow veterans was both humbling and rewarding,” says Quates, who said her inspiration for launching her small business was the desire to create a game-changer that infused innovation, excellence and flavor as well as a distinct and inclusive culture.

The success of Veteran EDGE each year, and the success of the IVMF, would not be possible without the support of sponsors committed to enhancing the post-service lives of our veterans, transitioning service members and their families. For 2023, the conference was sponsored by:

• Fiserv
• JPMorgan Chase & Co.
• Cushman & Wakefield
• The D’Aniello Family Foundation
• Walmart
• Johnson & Johnson
• Amazon
• Neighborly

For more information on the programs and services provided to the nation’s military-connected community, or to find out more about the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families, please visit .

The OVMA has awarded more than half a million dollars in scholarships since 2017 and will continue making scholarships available each semester with more than $1.2 million available for scholarship opportunities. The growing availability of scholarship programs wouldn’t be possible without the support of the university’s military-connected alumni and supporters. Their contributions allow the OVMA to offer more opportunities and support to military-connected students ranging from professional networking events specifically hosted for military-connected students, on and off-campus activities, and cost-free career immersion trips where military-connected students are able to meet face to-face with leaders from some of the largest companies in the country.

Military-connected students using their G.I. Bill benefits may have their tuition covered and receive a housing stipend, but the G.I. Bill benefits have certain limitations that can leave student veterans scrambling to fill the gaps in finances. This is particularly true during the summer and winter months when most military-connected students are not enrolled in classes, which means they do not receive monthly payments from the Department of Veterans Affairs to cover their living expenses.

The recipients of the OVMA Spring Scholarships are:

OVMA Family Member & Dependent Undergraduate Scholarship,��awarded to Allison Crossman ’23

Allison Crossman ’23

Crossman, a military spouse, is a senior in the College of Visual and Performing Arts pursuing an undergraduate degree in communications and rhetorical studies.

“As a non-traditional student, my decision to return to school with three young children was not made lightly. Upon completion of my undergraduate degree, I look forward to attending ���ϲ����� College of Law this fall,” Crossman says.

Gerald B. Faigle Jr. and Robert M. Faigle Student Veteran Endowed Scholarship, awarded to Karl Cutler

Karl Cutler

Cutler is an active-duty U.S. Army captain currently enrolled in the Whitman School of Management’s online MBA program. Originally from Mattituck, New York, he is currently stationed in Hawaii where he serves as a Field Artillery Captain with the 25^th Infantry Division.

“I would like to serve another ten years in the Army, completing my twenty-year commitment to serving our nation. After that, I hope to move back to New York and become a financial advisor, putting all that I have learned at ���ϲ����� to work for the betterment of my community,” Cutler says.

Louis A. and Patricia H. Mautino Veteran Endowed Scholarship, awarded to Joshua Kompf ’23 and Justin Sauve ’25

Joshua Kompf ’23

Kompf is a U.S. Army veteran currently studying creative leadership with the College of Professional Studies. Originally from Jordan, New York, Kompf became a Green Beret and served for eight years with four deployments to Afghanistan.

“Growing up just outside ���ϲ����� in the town of Jordan, choosing ���ϲ����� was easy. I always wanted to attend ���ϲ�����, and once my time serving in the United States Army was complete, I finally made it a reality,” Kompf says. “My experience thus far at ���ϲ����� has been phenomenal. Every class I take is an opportunity to share and experience views and opinions different than my own, opening my mind to endless possibilities.”

Justin Sauve ’25

Sauve is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who is a sophomore at the College of Engineering and Computer Science where he studies mechanical engineering. After graduation, he hopes to pursue a career in the aerospace industry

“Due to being a student veteran, I have the added financial responsibilities of supporting a family, the financial stresses of pursuing an education instead of employment have, at times, been significantly greater than the academic stresses and curriculum. The support awarded through this scholarship will significantly help me pursue my educational goal of obtaining my bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering,” Sauve says.

Wilder J. Leavitt and Mary P. Morningstar Scholarship for Military-Connected Students, awarded to Samirah Crawford ’26 and Kamileh Rivera ’23

Samirah Crawford ’26

Crawford is a military dependent and first-year biomedical engineering student at the College of Engineering and Computer Science. After graduating she plans on joining the U.S. Air Force Reserve and continuing to pursue a graduate degree.

“This scholarship will significantly impact me, allowing my education to be more affordable, reducing the stress involved with the cost of an excellent education, and helping me to complete my engineering degree successfully. I plan to graduate with my biomedical engineering degree and promote STEM for young girls, especially in underprivileged or underserved communities, to provide a spotlight on all of the career fields and opportunities in this field,” Crawford says.

Kamileh Rivera ’23

Rivera is a senior studying neuroscience and biology in the College of Arts and Sciences. She is the daughter of a U.S. Army veteran and is originally from Bayamon, Puerto Rico. After graduating, she plans to pursue a career in medicine with the intent of returning to Puerto Rico to help those in need.

“This donor-funded scholarship has impacted me in many ways. Not only does this award relieve financial hardships for my family and me, but it’s rewarding to know that someone believes in my education. I feel honored to be chosen and will not take this opportunity for granted,” Rivera says.

Lucy and Joseph Napoli Veterans Scholarship, awarded to John Nipper ’23

John Nipper ’23

Nipper is a U.S. Navy veteran who is currently studying international relations in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. He plans to continue his education and earn a master’s in public administration after graduation. Nipper, originally from Fort Myers, Florida, was also recently elected as the President of the Student Veterans Organization at ���ϲ�����.

“After my tour of duty, I felt a pressing call to public service, which led me to pursue a bachelor’s in international relations and public policy. I aspire to advance cyber policies that improve the safety of the American people, understand policy barriers to cybersecurity and digital diplomacy, identify successful solutions, and help implement them,” Nipper says.

Richardson Family Scholarship for Military Family Members and Dependents, awarded to Karyne Brown ’26

Karyne Brown ’26

Brown is a military dependent with a parent who served in the U.S. Army. Originally from New Jersey, Brown is a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences who was selected for the Renee Crown University Honors Program.

“This scholarship will allow me to devote more time to academic endeavors and extracurriculars by relieving much of my financial stress. In my first semester, I struggled to find that balance, and, now, not only has the stress been relieved but helps to mitigate the problem itself. After ���ϲ�����, I hope to live in New York City and work at a financial firm,” Brown says.

Flanik Family Scholarships for Student Veterans, awarded to Ryan Simmons ’24

Ryan Simmons ’24

Simmons, is a U.S. Air Force veteran who is currently enrolled in the College of Engineering and Computer Sciences, studying cybersecurity administration as a remote student. Originally from Chenango Forks, New York, Simmons aims to earn a commission with the U.S. Space Force where he hopes to work in cyber security.

“Over the past year I’ve been here, the professors, the student body, and even the administration staff have only reaffirmed that coming to ���ϲ����� was the right decision for me.�� I’ve made many professional connections and even friends along the way.�� Some of the professors I’ve had have really been a blessing when it comes to not just imparting class knowledge but also firsthand experience of their professions,” says Simmons.

Interested in supporting ���ϲ�����’s growing commitment to educating servicemembers, veterans, and their families? Want to learn how to contribute to their future academic success? Consider donating to the .

Khloe Gage ’25

Established in 1986, the Month of the Military Child is observed each April to honor and celebrate the children of service members from all branches of the Department of Defense.

Khloe Gage ’25, a military-connected student studying economics in the , is the daughter of Lt. Col. Kim Lee Gage, who served in the U.S. Army. She was also recently selected as the recipient of the James Lyons ’03 Sons and Daughters Memorial Scholarship.

Originally from Honolulu, Hawaii, Gage says she set her eyes on ���ϲ����� after visiting Central New York throughout her childhood. Her aunt was a professor at Ithaca College and the appeal of having family nearby was a strong influence for her to come to ���ϲ�����.

“I grew up coming to Central New York during Christmases or over the summer. I knew I wanted to go to a larger school, so it was either Indiana University, since that’s where everyone in my family went, or ���ϲ����� because it was close by to my aunt,” says Gage.

Gage and her father, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Kim Gage, attend a school event circa 2011. (Photo courtesy of Khloe Gage)

The James Lyons ’03 Sons and Daughters Memorial Scholarship is named after ���ϲ����� alumnus 1st Lt. James Lyons, who graduated with an undergraduate degree in biochemistry. Lyons was killed in action in southern Baghdad during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2006 and is believed to be the first ���ϲ����� graduate killed in the conflict. His friends and family established the scholarship to provide aid for the children of fallen or disabled veterans.

“A few people from [the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs] reached out to me and asked me to lunch. At first I thought they were trying to enlist me or something, but then they offered me the Lyons Scholarship and, honestly, I found it surprising they chose me,” says Gage. “They just opened up a door that I definitely wouldn’t have even known about.”

As a child of an active-duty officer in the Army, Gage says her childhood required a lot of moving, and many experiences of being the “new girl” in school. Before she had turned a year old, she had already experienced her first move, a process that would repeat seven more times before she graduated high school.

“Moving out of state, and even internationally, was my normal. Moving around made me more extroverted though, which I enjoy. It’s easier for me to talk to new people and I don’t get as nervous because I had to do that to make friends,” Gage says.

One instance of checking into a new school stood stands out. Gage recalls a time when her father was dropping her off at her new school, and because he was in his uniform they both kept getting held up while trying to get to her classroom.��“Everyone was stopping us and thanking him for his service. I remember I was so freaked out about being late to class,” she says.

When Gage was sixteen years old, she joined roughly 15,000 other military children who share a unique experience: Her family went from being a Blue Star Family, a family with an immediate family member currently serving, to a Gold Star Family, the family of a fallen service member.

“A month after my 16th birthday, my father passed away, which left me with an incredible sense of loneliness. I spent my junior year of high school questioning every personal connection I had,” says Gage. “As I walked down the hallways, smiling at my peers, I was solely going through the physical motions of trying to express myself as the happiest person in the room, even though internally I was spiraling.”

While the scholarship may open doors, figuratively, the opportunity literally opened new doors here on campus. Prior to finding out she was selected as a Lyons Scholar, she had never stepped inside of the on campus. Now she says she finds herself spending quite a bit of time there.

Gage is becoming oriented with her new job working with Veteran Career Services Director Jennifer Pluta.

“My selection for the scholarship has broadened my outlook and my awareness. It’s exposed me to opportunities I otherwise would not have had,” says Gage, who along with the scholarship was also offered a position in the OVMA working with Jennifer Pluta, director of veteran career services at ���ϲ�����.

“Initially, all I saw was everyone in uniform going in and no one coming out, I thought it was a booby trap or something. I also didn’t know how big it was, but there are so many areas regular students can go that no one outside of the doors seem to know about,” Gage says.

Gage is still open-minded about what the future has in store for her, or her for it. While she knows she doesn’t want to serve in the military, she hasn’t ruled out service all together. While at ���ϲ����� she’s started looking at different opportunities, including working with the FBI.

“Since enrolling at ���ϲ�����, the support and connections I have made have been positively overwhelming. As a sophomore, I know ���ϲ����� supports my growth and exploration not only a student, but as a person,” says Gage. “Right now I’m excited for the immediate future with the OVMA. I’m excited for new connections, more laughter, greater experiences and the unknown that I cannot wait for.”

U.S. Army Lt.Col. Matthew Coyne, Chancellor Kent Syverud, and U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Ryan Lippert prepare to present individual awards at the 106th Chancellor’s Review.

When ���ϲ�����’s fourth Chancellor, James R. Day, reviewed the University’s Cadet Corps on May 4, 1917, he started what would become an annual tradition for the University’s future military leaders.

On March 31, 2023, both Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) units from the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force assembled inside the JMA Wireless Dome for the 106^th Chancellor’s Review to carry on that tradition.

Chancellor Kent Syverud, the University’s 12^th Chancellor who called upon the campus community to make ���ϲ����� the best place for veterans, conducted the pass and review of cadets, escorted by U.S. Army Lt. Col. Matthew Coyne and U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Ryan Lippert, the ranking members of the respective ROTC units.

Chancellor Syverud highlighted the accomplishments of the University’s ROTC units over the last year. Both the Army and Air Force ROTC will commission 32 officers later this spring. Additionally, the U.S. Army Stalwart Battalion has four distinguished military graduates who will commission in the top 10% of the U.S. Army’s 2023 year group, including Cadet Sarah Sharpe ’23, who came in first out of 802 cadets commissioning into the U.S. Army Reserve.

���ϲ����� Army & Air Force ROTC Cadets prepare to be individually awarded for their performance during the 2023 Academic Year at the 106th Chancellor’s Review.

The U.S. Air Force ROTC Detachment 535 will commission nine active-duty officers in the spring, including three who are from the detachment’s crosstown universities at SUNY Oswego, SUNY Polytechnic Institute and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

“I’m so proud of the 140 cadets here today who continue our proud tradition of support to those who volunteer to serve,” said Chancellor Syverud during his remarks to the assembled cadets. “Congratulations on your service, leadership and academic excellence. And I’m grateful to our nine partner schools joining us today.”

The annual Chancellor’s Review is also a time to celebrate the accomplishments of the University’s ROTC cadets through a presentation of awards issued by the University and off-campus organizations.

Lt. Col. Lippert presented the Professor of Aerospace Studies Scholastic Achievement Award to cadets Adam Landry, Emily Weaver, Charles Tang and Emma Corby. The award is presented to the Air Force cadet with the highest overall academic average for each class.

OVMA Executive Director Col. Ron Novack (U.S. Army, Ret.), presents U.S. Air Force ROTC Cadet Aizhan Moore ’25 with the OVMA Commitment to Service Award.

The U.S. Air Force ROTC Detachment awarded the McClune Scholar Award, presented by Kelly Rodoski ’92,�� senior communications manager and Lockerbie Scholars liaison. The award is presented to an Air Force cadet who is in the top half of their class academically, displays outstanding spirit and a positive attitude, and a commitment to international understanding and cooperation. This year’s recipient was Cadet Hunter Burns.

For the U.S. Army Stalwart Battalion, Lt. Col. Coyne presented the Distinguished Military Graduate Awards to members of the graduating class who have maintained a distinguished military student status throughout their time in ROTC and are in the top 20 percent of the national accessions order of merit list. The award was presented to Cadets Jason DiNapoli, Nolan McNeill, Benjamin Rabin and Sarah Sharpe.

Chancellor Kent Syverud congratulates U.S. Army ROTC Cadet Alex Musau ’24 for receiving the Veterans of Foreign Wars Award.

Lt. Col. Coyne also presented the Department of the Army Superior Cadet Award, which recognizes a cadet in the top 25 percent of their class academically, who demonstrates outstanding leadership and has strong officer potential. This year’s recipients are Army Cadets Jason DiNapoli, Richard Bruschi, John Harbaugh and Nicholas Robinson.

A complete list of the awards presented during this year’s Chancellor’s Review, along with additional photos, can be found on the . Those interested in learning more about the university’s ROTC detachments are encouraged to visit .

U.S. Army Col. Kecia Troy G’12 poses for her official portrait in the Army portrait studio at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. (Photo courtesy of Leonard Fitzgerald)

A key component of the U.S. military’s success is the vast equipment procurement and logistics system operating behind the scenes supporting the Department of Defense’s (DOD) global operations. U.S. Army Col. Kecia Troy G’12, with 25 years of service, knows just how difficult it is to maintain that support successfully.

Outfitting a modern military with state-of-the-art equipment requires experienced individuals like Troy, who manages the complex process of developing, procuring, and distributing critical capabilities and systems. Troy, who serves as a defense acquisition program manager, says one of the reasons the Army can meet the challenges of delivering these vital capabilities is through its solid partnership with the defense industrial base.

“The systems acquisition community works closely with the defense industry, ensuring they understand our emerging mission requirements and the capabilities that we will need to maintain the technological edge over our peer and near-peer adversaries,” says Troy, who earned a master’s degree in from the . “This partnership lets us leverage businesses who foster innovative ideas and develop cutting-edge technological solutions.”

Kecia Troy G’12 with her husband, Milton

While Troy has managed a variety of military system programs, including tactical radio equipment and armored vehicle components, her primary focus has been supporting the needs of the intelligence community. During the early days of her career, she served as an intelligence officer, a position she says introduced her to the realities of military service.

“I was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army at 22 years old. At that time, I didn’t truly appreciate or understand the commitment I had made to selfless service or to this nation,” Troy says. “After my initial officer training, I was stationed in Hawaii and thought it would be ‘life on the beach.’ However, the Army and world events had a different plan.”

In 1999, less than six months after arriving in Hawaii, Troy deployed to the Balkans amidst one of the most complex periods of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) peacekeeping operations in modern history. Although the four-year Bosnian War had already ended, U.S. forces were supporting NATO’s mission to enforce the war’s peace treaty and establish stability in the former Yugoslav region.

“This was the first time I had been face-to-face with the aftermath of war. Our team would sometimes visit orphanages or refugee resettlement camps, it was heartbreaking to see how much they all had lost,” recalls Troy. “We visited the site of the Srebrenica massacre and saw the building’s walls covered with bullet holes from when Bosnian Serbs murdered thousands of the town’s Muslim men and boys as a part of their ethnic cleansing efforts. Again—I experienced all of this before 9/11, so this deployment really opened my eyes to the realities of war and my service to this nation.”

Throughout her career, Troy shifted her specialty from the intelligence community to managing system acquisition programs. That shift ultimately led her to ���ϲ�����’s campus for the DOD’s logistics and technology master of science degree program.

U.S. Army Col. Kecia Troy G’12 (third from the left), who has 25 years of military service, earned a master’s degree in supply chain management from the Whitman School of Management.

“I enjoyed the program and definitely got a lot out of it. The program was primarily virtual and offered me the opportunity to earn a master’s degree from ���ϲ�����, while I remained at work full-time in Washington, DC. Back then, not many top-tier schools had this type of fully-funded program available to service members. The ���ϲ����� professors and staff were top-notch and were always accessible to our cohort. We did have some in-person instruction, and I really liked the times we were on campus and at the Whitman School. The campus and the facilities were beautiful. My favorite part of campus would have to be the Ernie Davis statue, near Hendricks Chapel. It’s great to see the university honor him and his legacy in such a way. His life had such an impact, not only on college and professional sports but race relations and integration within our nation,” Troy says.

After completing her master’s degree, Troy’s military career advanced well beyond her initial plan to serve only four years. Her career assignments included tours in the Republic of Korea, Arizona, Alabama and in the National Capital Region, where she worked at the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and served two tours in the Pentagon on the Department of the Army staff.

Kecia Troy G’12 with her son, Micah

More than two decades later, as Troy reflects on her commitment to service, she can see success across the force in the opportunities that are now afforded to women. Many of these opportunities were not available when Troy was first commissioned.

“We are seeing female soldiers excel in combat-specific military occupations and successfully leading units that were once off-limits to them. As of a year ago, 100 women had graduated from Ranger School.�� That’s remarkable progress,” Troy says. ��“I think there has been more awareness of the unique issues that women face, that parents face, and that minority groups in the military face. These issues differ from what many senior leaders deal with or even realize exist.”

Troy says one of her biggest concerns today is that women in the military must get a fair opportunity to excel, regardless of the specialty they choose, as well as when or if they decide to have a family.

According to the 2021 Demographics Profile of the Military Community, approximately 5,000 women serve in the U.S. Army as field grade officers on active duty. That is roughly 17.3 percent of all majors, lieutenant colonels and colonels serving full-time in the nation’s largest military branch.

Each year, more women join the military compared to when Troy first earned her commission in the late 1990’s. Despite their increasing percentage of the military population, however, women in the service today are 28 percent more likely than men to leave the military early. According to a Government Accountability Office study, women left the military primarily for family-related and cultural issues.

Kecia Troy G’12 (far left) poses with her son, Micah, and husband, Milton.

“Balancing a career in the military with motherhood is extremely tough, much tougher than even I had given it credit for,” says Troy, who with her husband, Milton, a U.S. Navy captain, are raising a son, Micah. “The Department of Defense is moving in the right direction with the recent policies. It will take a commitment by leaders at all levels to ensure those policies are properly implemented and effective in easing some of the stress for these Soldiers and their families.”

Troy will retire from the U.S. Army later this year, and she’s currently working through the transition process, weighing the different opportunities she has available. For now, she’s looking forward to spending some time with her family.

“The key component of my military career has been the undeniable support system I have had from my family, extended family, and a slew of lifelong friends. They’ve sacrificed and served, as well, to ensure that I was able to focus and complete the Army’s mission,” Troy says. “My success is grounded in my strong foundation from my parents and the support network of relatives and friends. As a community, they have all been my rocks, my cheering squad, and sometimes, my much-needed critics, no matter the situation.�� Too often, family members do not get acknowledged or recognized, but I know that had it not been for their support, I would not be here today.”

Paul Dottle, who served as an enlisted soldier in the U.S. Army Reserves during the mid-80’s, established the scholarship while serving as the chair for the OVMA’s advisory board. While Dottle was growing up, his father served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army. The experience of growing up in the military culture, and having served himself, left Dottle with a desire to give back to a community he held so much respect for.

The scholarship allows the to recognize deserving cadets within their programs, and many of the university’s graduates have gone on to become part of the university’s list of notable veteran alumni for their accomplishments after graduating from ���ϲ�����. The scholarship is meant for those who have not already received a full ROTC scholarship and is designed to offset the cost of finishing their degree.

For 2023, the recipients of the Dottle Family ROTC Cadet Scholarship are:

Hunter Burns ’25 – Air Force ROTC

Hunter Burns ’25

Burns is pursuing a degree in aerospace engineering from the . He says one of his more memorable experiences at ���ϲ����� was being a member of the Color Guard for the ���ϲ����� vs Duke University men’s basketball game in 2022.

“I decided to join Air Force ROTC because I wanted to serve in the military, that’s something I am passionate about. I also wanted to go to college and get a degree, so this was the decision that made the most sense for me. After graduation, I plan on entering active duty as an officer in the Air Force.”

James Hrdy ’26 – Air Force ROTC

James Hrdy ’26

Hrdy is studying bioengineering at the College of Engineering and Computer Science. He plans on commissioning as an officer in the U.S. Air Force and would like to pursue available options to attend medical school after graduation.

“I will never forget when ���ϲ����� hosted the 2022 Battle of New York. Detachments from across New York stayed for two nights in the JMA Wireless Dome while participating in a wide range of activities. I got to meet other people with different aspirations from different schools, and I was able to explore the Dome at night.”

Benjamin Johnson ’24 – Air Force ROTC

Benjamin Johnson ’24

Johnson, who grew up with a father in the U.S. Coast Guard, is studying computer engineering at the College of Engineering and Computer Science. He says the wanted to come to ���ϲ����� because of the school’s reputation for academic excellence, and its unwavering support for military-connected students.

“My overall experience at ���ϲ����� has been nothing short of amazing. The University has provided me with numerous opportunities to learn and grow, both academically and personally. After ���ϲ�����, I plan to pursue a career in the United States Space Force as a developmental engineer.”

Aizhan Moore ’26 – Air Force ROTC

Aizhan Moore ’26

Moore is enrolled at the College of Engineering and Computer Science, where she studies bioengineering. Her father, a Vietnam War veteran who served in the U.S. Navy, inspired Aizhan to serve in the military, which is why she’s in ROTC today.

“My most memorable experience as a cadet so far has been the Battle of New York. It was a really cool experience, and I had a great time meeting new people. I hope that joining the Air Force might also be a way for me to travel and learn more about the United States, as well as other countries around the world.”��

Suleiman Salim ’25 – Army ROTC

Suleiman Salim ’25

Salim is an economics student at the . His intent is to attend law school at ���ϲ�����, and one of his most memorable experiences as an ROTC cade was completing his first 12-mile conditioning hike with a ruck sack.

“I joined ROTC for the opportunity to better myself and push myself past both my mental and physical limits.”

Charles Tang ’24 – Air Force ROTC

Charles Tang ’24

Tang, a political science student at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, says he wants to attend law school after graduation, with the intention of ultimately becoming a judge advocate officer in the U.S. Air Force.

“Participating in the AFROTC program has shaped me into a developing leader by continually introducing new challenges. The program has drastically impacted the trajectory of my life goals, where I never imagined the possibility of serving in the military prior to college.”

Joshua Tapia ’24 – Army ROTC

Joshua Tapia ’24

Tapia, a junior with the , studies biology and grew up in nearby Baldwinsville, New York. Tapia also works as a martial arts instructor, teaching Kenpo, and has an internship focused on marketing, resource management, accountability, personnel scheduling and task delegation.

“After graduating I plan to commission as an officer and pursue my career moving forward, I hope to get a job in Air Defense Artillery. I’m incredibly grateful for this scholarship, as it has allowed me to continue to support myself and my family whilst focusing on my education and classwork.”

Emily Weaver ’24 – Air Force ROTC

Emily Weaver ’24

Weaver is a Cadet Lieutenant Colonel and the Deputy Group Commander for ���ϲ�����’s Air Force ROTC Detachment 535, making her the second cadet in command. She is dual majoring in earth science and forensic science with the College of Arts and Sciences.

“I’m extremely grateful that I was selected for the Dottle scholarship. It’s a testament to the fact that the University and its alumni, especially Mr. Dottle, truly care about the military connected students. Coming to ���ϲ�����, it’s not the cheapest, it’s a nice university to go to and that obviously comes with the cost. The fact that he’s willing to provide monetary support for all my endeavors, whether it’s academic, military, or even something like pursuing my private pilot’s license. It means a lot to know they really value, and are investing, in my future as an officer in the military.”

For more information on scholarships and academic opportunities provided through the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs, please visit their website at .

Kelsey Dornfeld portrait from the Alexia Fall Workshop.

While growing up outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota, indications that Kelsey Dornfeld’s future would lead to military service were non-existent. Even though she had a grandfather who fought during World War II, she didn’t have much exposure to the military throughout her childhood, and she says most of her hobbies and interests were what most would consider typical for a young girl. “I grew up in Bloomington and had an average childhood. I was a ‘girly-girl,’” says Dornfeld, who is currently serving as a communications strategy and operations chief in the U.S. Marine Corps. “I did dance, theater, choir and tennis. I wasn’t really interested in the gym and stuff like that.”

In her junior year of high school, she started to look at what her post-graduation options were, and military service became more appealing. She says she wanted to pursue higher education, but the cost was prohibitive. An older sibling went through college the traditional route, and she witnessed their struggle with money throughout those years. She says she didn’t want to experience that struggle herself and started looking at the military as a more viable option. “I knew I wanted to help people, and I knew that I wasn’t going to be able to pay for college on my own,” says Dornfeld, a military-connected student at . “Out of all the branches, I thought the Marines would give me the best preparation and training.” She is currently in the second semester of the at Newhouse, a 10-month program that trains mass communications specialists from across the Department of Defense.

U.S. Marine Corps SSgt. Kelsey Dornfeld on deployment in the Philippines.

Acceptance to the year-long program is notoriously competitive, the service members selected to attend the program are typically some of the top performers in their respective military branches. While it’s a challenging program, it is also considered prestigious due to the invaluable education graduates walk away with after two semesters at Newhouse. “I didn’t think I was that good of a photographer coming here, but after doing more photography shoots, and working with my professors, I’ve definitely become more confident in my skills,” says Dornfeld. She recalls having struggled with imposter syndrome before coming to ���ϲ�����, but last semester she participated in the Alexia Fall Workshop at Newhouse, and the experience of working with the caliber of coaches helped guide her through her photo story, “.” Dornfeld says the program has been rewarding so far, if for no other reason than to focus on topics or subjects she wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to write about, or photograph, in the military. Some of the photojournalism projects she’s worked on have even been nostalgic, which she says has been personally rewarding. “We’re so indoctrinated with taking photos in the military, and there are specific things the military is looking for in photography that these professors have taught us to look beyond,” says Dornfeld. “The photos here don’t have to be masculine and powerful; they can be softer and show a different side of people.”

SSgt. Kelsey Dornfeld (Left) posing with other Military Visual Journalism students, and Otto, at a basketball game in the JMA Wireless Dome.

In her regular military duties, Dornfeld is part of the small occupational field called Communications Strategy & Operations (COMSTRAT). According to the Marine Corps, it is a communication activity that provides timely, accurate information which informs and educates about the missions, organization, capabilities, needs, activities and performance of the Marine Corps as an instrument of national defense. “The great thing about my job is that you get to see everything, you get to see the bigger picture. The young Marine who is driving a truck only knows to show up at a certain time, drive from point A to point B. They usually don’t know the bigger picture of what’s going on. We’re very lucky in COMSTRAT to know the full picture because of our role,” says Dornfeld.

Even though Dornfeld has enjoyed her success working in communications, she says her long-term career goals are more focused on teaching children rather than photojournalism. “I figured out during my second or third year in the Marine Corps that I found a lot of joy in teaching fellow Marines. It’s rewarding when you see that ‘ah-ha!’ moment in their eyes when they learn something new,” says Dornfeld. “I also love children, and being an elementary school teacher would combine working with kids and teaching them the foundations they’ll use the rest of their lives.”

Dornfel’s time in service has given her plenty of experience to share with future students. She has been stationed on the other side of the world in Okinawa, Japan, and in places you wouldn’t normally find Marines, like Albuquerque, New Mexico.

U.S. Marine Corps SSgt Kelsey Dornfeld during a unit formation.

After graduating from the MVJ program in May, Dornfeld said she’s being sent to work out of the Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia. She’s primarily looking forward to taking the knowledge she’s gained here and sharing it with the next generation of COMSTRAT Marines who will take her place in the future. “It’s been very eye-opening. Since I was 18, I’ve been told how to act, you know, how Marines act. Coming here, you’re told you can do whatever you want, you can be whoever you want. I’ve been able to rediscover things I loved in high school, and pursue things I’m interested in,” says Dornfeld. “It’s been nice to feel free to be me, and not necessarily who the Marine Corps wants me to be.”

���ϲ����� student veterans pose for a group photo on the first day of the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs’ career immersion trip to Atlanta, Georgia.

Among the mass exodus of students leaving campus for spring break, eight student veterans from ���ϲ����� spent three days in Atlanta, Georgia. While their fellow classmates were in pursuit of leisure and relaxation during the time off from classes, these student veterans attended a career immersion trip hosted by the .

Over the course of the trip, the students visited with representatives from some of the largest and most well-known businesses across a variety of industries throughout the Atlanta metro area. The OVMA Director of Veteran Career Services, Jennifer Pluta, organizes the trips twice a year, and military-connected students enrolled at ���ϲ����� can take advantage of the opportunity free of charge.

While on tour of the corporate headquarters for Delta Airlines, the students stop to take a group photo in a hot air balloon basket.

“These trips not only afford the student veterans an opportunity to speak with those who already made the career change transition from their military career to the corporate world, but it gives them an invaluable advantage with a chance to get their foot in the door after graduation,” says Pluta, who is also a Master Sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserve, where she serves as a senior command career counselor. “They’re meeting with leaders at these companies, and most of the time they’re receiving pitches about why they, as veterans, should consider working at these companies. As these students graduate and move into the labor market, they’re going to have a strong advantage over their competition.”

This trip marks the first time OVMA has organized a career immersion trip to Atlanta. Past trips have included places like New York City, Los Angeles and the nation’s capital in Washington, D.C. Atlanta, being a southern economic hub, is home to a variety of leading organizations like the Coca-Cola Company, United Parcel Services, Delta Airlines and Fiserv. While the city and the companies may change, the purpose of the trips are all the same–supporting Veteran Career Services’ goal of 100% job placement for ���ϲ�����’s student veterans.

“This trip was about growing confidence in the transferability of my knowledge, skills and abilities to the civilian workforce,” said Colleen Tripp, a part-time graduate student in instructional design, development and evaluation with the School of Education. “As a 17-year member of the New York Air National Guard, this trip allowed me to visualize myself working in a variety of post-military positions and how I could potentially contribute in a meaningful way after my military career,” says Tripp.

The group visits the Amazon Web Service office.

Tripp, who currently serves with the 174^th Medical Group in ���ϲ�����, N.Y., said one of the key takeaways from the week was discovering that she wants to continue working with veterans and service members in her post-military career. One of the highlights of the trip for Tripp was visiting the Warrior Alliance, a non-profit organization that focuses on providing support services to transitioning servicemembers.

“Each organization I met with had a different culture and battle rhythm, yet each company valued their employees and made huge efforts to take care of the whole person, not just the mission at hand,” says Tripp.

While each immersion trip is different, based on the availability of companies in the geographic area, the student veterans were able to visit and speak with the following companies while in Atlanta:

• Amazon Web Services
• Chic-Fil-A
• Delta Airlines
• Ernst & Young, LLP
• Fiserv
• Tyler Perry Studios
• Warrior Alliance

During the trip, the student veterans visited State Farm Arena, and later were able to enjoy watching the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks play against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

“I think my favorite part was the trip to Delta. Since I’m majoring in mechanical engineering, I was intrigued by their engineering department and how everyone there felt like a family. It was a fantastic company and hopefully, in the future, I’ll be able to intern for them,” said Jurgen Baeza, a U.S. Navy veteran who is currently enrolled as a first-year student with the College of Arts and Sciences.

“My goal for this trip was to see what sort of job opportunities are out there for veterans, and also to learn what the process was like for companies recruiting veterans after their time in service,” says Baeza.

Each year there’s also an opportunity for the student veterans to visit tourist and cultural sites, which is part of the immersive experience of the career immersion trips. In Atlanta, the students were treated to a game with the Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta’s professional NBA team, along with a tour of their home stadium, the State Farm Arena.

The OVMA’s next immersion trip will take place in the Fall semester of 2023. Those military-connected students who are interested in attending should visit to stay up to date on the latest opportunities available to them at ���ϲ�����.

The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation donated $1 million in additional grant funding to the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families.

This is the second time Mother Cabrini Health Foundation has supported the IVMF. An initial $500,000 grant in 2020 was fundamental in establishing a partnership between the City of ���ϲ����� and the IVMF to create ���ϲ�����Serves, and it also supported a landscape assessment on the status of veteran care across New York State. The assessment, conducted by the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and IVMF, was later used in developing an action plan for what this additional funding will achieve.

“Coordinated care has increasingly gained attention as an effective way to improve the health and well-being of veterans and the military-connected community. Accessing care can be difficult though, especially for veterans and their families,” says Vincent DelSignore, IVMF’s director of community services. “The investment from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation to expand the ���ϲ�����Serves network will further the reach of our coordinated care efforts and will help remove barriers so veterans and their families can easily, and more directly, access resources in their communities.”

Over the last two years veterans from neighboring counties have increasingly sought out support from ���ϲ�����Serves, indicating the need for expansion. The first $500,000 grant in 2020 mostly supported military families in the City of ���ϲ�����. A portion of the new grant funding will contribute to expanding coordination services to the neighboring counties of Cayuga, Cortland, Madison and Oswego. The expansion will see ���ϲ�����Serves continuing to support the important work of local partners and organizations serving the approximately 45,000 veterans and their families residing in the five-county region.

Additionally, the funding will support IVMF’s continued efforts across New York state to help veterans and their families. IVMF will establish a statewide Community of Practice with support from the grant and will also share the data gained to further help communities and organizations understand how to best serve the military-connected community.

The investment from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation will expand the ���ϲ�����Serves network.

Like many regions across the country, Central New York is home to a variety of federal and nonprofit organizations dedicated to supporting veterans and their families. Finding these organizations, however, and knowing which one to go to for a particular service can be challenging.

“As we begin to recover from a pandemic that has hit vulnerable populations the hardest, we must continue to address the challenges communities across New York State are facing: food and housing insecurity; lack of access to basic health care, including vaccines; workforce issues; and educational, racial, economic and health disparities made worse during COVID-19. We must continue to support the full range of services that make for healthy people and communities,” says Monsignor Gregory Mustaciuolo, chief executive officer of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation.

To learn more about IVMF’s efforts in empowering communities to best care for veterans, servicemembers and their families, or to connect to a AmericaServes community, visit .

About Mother Cabrini Health Foundation

The is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the health and well-being of New Yorkers, bolster the health outcomes of vulnerable communities, eliminate barriers to care and bridge gaps in health services. Named after a tireless advocate for immigrants, children, and the poor, the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation funds programs and initiatives across New York state that either provide direct health care services or address the social determinants of health.

Portrait of Sidney L. Johnson

A ���ϲ����� alum and historic figure for the ���ϲ����� City School District, was recently added to the list of the University’s Notable Veteran Alumni. Sidney L. Johnson ’59, G’65, a U.S. Air Force veteran, is now among 18 other influential members who have graduated from ���ϲ����� and have made a substantial impact during or after their military service.

Johnson, originally from Summerville, Georgia, served in the military for more than two decades, during which he served with the historic Tuskegee Airmen. He also earned the rank of Major before retirement, an almost insurmountable challenge during the days of segregation, as well as a testament to his performance in service to the country.

He dedicated himself to the City of ���ϲ����� after he retired from the military, then moved to the area with his wife Vivienne, along with their two daughters, Melinda and Cydney.

Cydney Johnson ’77, G’96, ���ϲ�����’s vice president of community engagement and government relations, was invited to unveil her father’s plaque during a surprise ceremony held in the National Veterans Resource Center (NVRC). On hand to share in the touching moment were Cydney’s husband, Jeffry Comanici ‘88, as well as staff, faculty and students from the military-connected community.

Cydney Johnson (Left), poses with her husband, Jeffry Comanici (right) who was instrumental in advocating for Sidney’s inclusion on the Notable Veteran Alumni list.

“Like most military families, we were not originally from the area. ���ϲ����� adopted us, and both my parents loved serving this community,” says Cydney Johnson. “My father would have loved the NVRC, he would have been in this building all the time and would have loved the work that is done here. Both of my parents loved serving this community.”

The people of ���ϲ����� elected Sidney Johnson to serve on both the ���ϲ����� Common Council and the Board of Education. Throughout his life, Johnson was an advocate for education, particularly when it came to servicemembers and veterans. His legacy was cemented into history when the city named a prominent educational center after him. The Sidney Johnson Vocational Center continues to serve the people of ���ϲ����� to this day by offering important non-traditional educational opportunities like adult education and GED programs.

“Sidney Johnson is a great example of how veterans can leave the service and make a community better, even if it’s not their childhood home. He gave himself selflessly to the city of ���ϲ����� and his devotion to the city’s education system can continue to be felt to this day,” says J. Michael Haynie, founder and executive director of the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families, and ���ϲ�����’s vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation. “It is an honor to have him featured among our most notable ���ϲ����� veteran alumni where he can continue to serve as an inspiration. To have his daughter, Cydney, unveil his plaque makes the occasion truly special. As a leader and valued member of our military-connected community, she has carried her father’s legacy of service to this community and has been instrumental in making the University’s veterans initiative a success.”

Cydney Johnson (Left) unveils her father’s Notable Veteran Alumni plaque with Dr. Michael Haynie (Right).

Sidney Johnson consistently made breakthroughs during times of racial tension, particularly growing up in the south during the era of Jim Crow laws. His skin color created more closed doors than open ones, but when he did establish himself in positions of influence, he worked to create opportunities for others.

The Tuskegee Airmen served with distinction throughout World War II, and many of its members went on to accomplish notable firsts for Black and African American servicemembers. Having been a part of the Tuskegee Airmen, Sidney holds a spot in military history for the perseverance displayed by him and the more than 14,000 racially segregated servicemembers who served with distinction throughout the war.

Over a five-year period between 1941 and 1946, 992 pilots were trained near Tuskegee, Alabama, from where the unit obtained its name. More than 300 men from the unit were deployed overseas, and 68 are listed as having been Killed in Action during the conflict. On March 29, 2007, the unit was collectively awarded a Congressional Gold Medal, and the airfield where the airmen trained is now a national historic site.

In honor of Black History Month, members of the community are encouraged to read about the lives of other Black and African American servicemembers who join Sidney Johnson on the wall of Notable Veteran Alumni.

Cydney Johnson places her father’s plaque on the wall of Notable Veteran Alumni inside the National Veterans Resource Center.

“I am deeply humbled and so very pleased that the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at ���ϲ����� has honored my Dad. His deep love of ���ϲ����� and ���ϲ����� makes this honor so special to me and my family,” says Cydney Johnson. “My Dad believed that the military was the gateway for career achievement, public service and equality. I know he would share those same words today. Thank you to all who made this honor happen.”

In 2014, Sidney Johnson was interred at his final resting place in Arlington National Cemetery, a fitting tribute to someone who devoted his life in service to others.

Cadets from the University’s Army ROTC lead regional high school JROTC cadets through the JROTC Fitness Challenge at the JMA Dome on Feb. 8.

Cadets from ���ϲ�����’s U.S. Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) welcomed more than 120 Junior ROTC cadets to the JMA Wireless Dome on the evening of February 8. The JROTC students came from seven high schools around Central and Western New York, and collectively had representation from the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps JROTC programs.

The Stalwart Battalion ROTC cadets were responsible for the planning, coordination and execution of the event, similar to what they will experience on a regular basis as officers in the military. Instead of conducting physical fitness events like this one, however, they will use the same skills to carry out their orders in a wide range of occupational specialties from basic administration and logistics support.

U.S. Army ROTC Cadet Gabrielle Scheeren ’24, a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences, pauses during a low-crawl demonstration to ensure her team of JROTC students understand how to navigate the obstacle.

“Interacting with them helped me reflect on how much I have developed since being in their position. I really wanted them to understand you don’t need to have it all figured out by your senior year,” says Gabrielle Scheeren ’24, an Army ROTC cadet at ���ϲ����� and a junior with the College of Arts and Sciences. “Many of them were surprised to learn that medical services, along with branches like cyber and finance, are career options.”��Scheeren served as a team leader for the event, where she led 13 high school students through an intense circuit of exercises at stations scattered throughout the JMA Wireless Dome. The JROTC cadets tackled each station for five grueling minutes at a time, many finding their energy depleted before they had reached the halfway point.

While the university’s ROTC instructors were on hand to monitor the event as a precaution, they remained on the sidelines so the cadets had the opportunity to learn what did, or more importantly, what didn’t work according to their plan. “I was reminded of what thorough planning and preparation can accomplish, as well as the great impact that collaboration and teamwork have in achieving a mission or common goal,” says U.S. Army ROTC Cadet Luke Bonenberger, who is the Cadet Master Fitness Trainer for Stalwart Battalion.

���ϲ�����’s mascot, Otto, played a crucial role in the training event.

“Planning for the event was a deliberate and comprehensive process that spanned over the winter break and involved several meetings with the instructors to ensure the execution of the fitness challenge was seamless.” When it comes to the military, many decisions come down to a single person who is ultimately responsible for the success or failure of an operation. For this event, that person was Bonenberger. As the master fitness trainer, he bore a brunt of the responsibility for organizing and running the event. “As with any large-scale event, we dealt with the challenge of adapting to the high volume of JRTOC cadets in attendance and made necessary adjustments on the fly as needed to ensure a seamless and smooth execution.”

In addition to the physically challenging aspects of the event, which primarily served as a training exercise for the university’s ROTC cadets, the event also featured presentations from the University’s Office of Admissions and ROTC recruiting staff. Since JROTC students are somewhat familiar with the benefits of military service, it’s an opportunity to highlight the significance of ���ϲ�����’s commitment to servicemembers, veterans and their families.

This year, the following high schools from New York participated in the challenge:

• Carthage High School, Carthage, New York
• Fowler High School, ���ϲ�����, New York
• Greece Athena High School, Rochester, New York
• McKinley High School, Buffalo, New York
• Mexico High School, Mexico, New York
• Utica Proctor High School, Utica, New York
• Western New York Maritime Charter School, Buffalo, New York

Two Mexico High School JROTC cadets participate in a fitness challenge event, guided by a ���ϲ����� Army ROTC cadet.

One JROTC instructor from the participating schools brought more than his cadets to campus, retired U.S. Army First Sergeant Xavier Whitehead previously served with the Stalwart Battalion as a member of the U.S. Army ROTC’s cadre of instructors. Aside from getting a first-hand look at the changes made to the JMA Wireless Dome over the years, Whitehead also had the opportunity to see how the ROTC program has grown over the years.

“A lot of times the high school kids are unaware the ROTC cadets are college students; they just don’t see them like that. Not a lot has changed in that regard, ���ϲ����� has always produced quality leaders, and it’s great to come back and see that such a long-standing tradition continues today,” says Whitehead.

The Pat Tillman Foundation is named after the professional National Football League (NFL) football player Patrick Tillman, who played defensive back for the Arizona Cardinals prior to Sept. 11, 2001. Tillman later turned down a multimillion-dollar football contract to enlist in the U.S. Army, ultimately becoming a U.S. Army Ranger who deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan.

Tillman was killed in action while on a mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2004, but months after his death it was discovered that the incident was the result of friendly fire. Tillman’s friends and family picked up his mantle to continue honoring those committed to service beyond self and launched the Patrick Tillman Foundation.

���ϲ����� is one of 16 colleges and universities recognized as a University Partner by the Tillman Foundation, and the University typically has at least one Tillman Scholar each year. In 2022, ���ϲ����� had its largest cohort of Tillman Scholars to date, with four military-connected students honored.

“���ϲ����� takes a lot of pride in its Tillman Scholars, as they often go on to be some of our most accomplished military-connected alumni. We want to see everyone who is interested in becoming a Tillman Scholar submit an application. It really does come down to showing passion for service beyond self,” says Ron Novack, executive director of the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA).

From the University’s first Tillman Scholar in 2017, to the four most recent additions to the University’s cohort, a common suggestion for those interested in applying is to start early and take advantage of the available resources at ���ϲ�����, like the .

“The first step for any scholarship application is to understand the scholarship’s selection criteria and be prepared to demonstrate how you meet those criteria. The Tillman Scholars Program selects scholars based on service, scholarship, humble leadership and potential for impact,” says Jolynn Parker, director of CFSA. “In the application, you have two short essays—one focused on your past experiences and the other on your future goals—to demonstrate your fit with their criteria. Make sure you craft a coherent narrative that connects those two essays, and make sure you articulate clear and compelling future goals.”

When asked what challenges they faced, and what recommendations they have for this year’s potential applicants, the 2022 Tillman Scholars from ���ϲ����� provided the following advice.

Higginson

Amanda Higginson
U.S. Navy Veteran
College of Law, JDinteractive (JDi) program (2L)

“You have to do the legwork and you have to be organized about it. Use the checklists that are built into the application system to keep you on track. Definitely do not wait until the last minute because it will be overwhelming and not something you can just throw together.”

Ornelaz

Anthony Ornelaz
U.S. Air Force Veteran
College of Arts and Sciences, Creative Writing Fellow

“One of the biggest challenges when applying for the Tillman scholarship was, I had to get into a conversation with myself about how much information I wanted to put out there. I questioned if my story was worth telling. I had to overcome those feelings of insecurity.”

Rielly

Bill Rielly
U.S. Army Veteran
College of Law, JDi program (3L)

“For anyone who is considering applying, it takes a lot of time to prepare a competitive application. It takes a lot of iterations and really refining your application package. I found it to be an opportunity to learn more about myself, I knew what I wanted to do, but the Tillman process helped me refine that and really sharpen it.”

DeLeon

Natasha DeLeon
U.S. Marine Corps Veteran
College of Law, JDi program (1L)

“I think the biggest challenge for me was the imposter syndrome of having to write a letter about things that I have accomplished. I know that I’ve accomplished a lot, but it’s hard for me to write about those things. I was obviously able to do it, but that was a mental challenge for me.”

The Tillman Scholarship program is open to veterans and active-duty service members, including the National Guard, who have served in both pre-and post-9/11 eras. Spouses of veteran or active-duty service members are also eligible. Applicants must be enrolled as a full-time student pursuing an undergraduate, graduate or professional degree at a private or public, U.S.-based, accredited institution for the upcoming academic year. To see other criteria and apply to be a 2023 Tillman Scholar, .

The application window opened in October 2022 and will close the evening of Feb. 28. Those military-connected students who are interested in applying are highly encouraged to contact the Center for Fellowship and Scholarship. For more information on resources available, and other scholarship opportunities for military-connected students, visit the .

These scholarships, along with others offered throughout the academic year, support military-connected students and are made possible entirely through the generosity of donors and stakeholders.

Since 2017, the OVMA has distributed more than a half million dollars in financial scholarships to military-connected students and has $1.2 million available to continue making these scholarships available in future semesters.

For the spring semester, the OVMA is proud to make the following scholarships available.

Office of Veteran and Military Affairs Undergraduate Student Veteran Scholarship

• $5,000 awarded to one eligible applicant
• Must be a currently enrolled undergraduate student veteran

Office of Veteran and Military Affairs Military Family Member Scholarship

• $5,000 awarded to one eligible applicant
• Must be a currently enrolled student who identifies as a military family member and/or dependent

Gerald B. Faigle Jr. and Roberta M. Faigle Student Veteran Endowed Scholarship��

• $3,000 for one eligible applicant
• Must be a currently enrolled veteran and/or military-connected student
• Preference will be given to graduate students

Lucy and Joseph Napoli Veteran Endowed Scholarship

• $3,100 awarded to one eligible applicant
• Must be a currently enrolled undergraduate student veteran

Louis A. and Patricia H. Mautino Veteran Endowed Scholarship

• $3,000 awarded to one eligible applicant
• Must be a currently enrolled undergraduate student veteran

Richardson Family Scholarship for Military Family Members and Dependents

• $2,500 for one eligible applicant
• Must be a currently enrolled undergraduate student who identifies as a military family member and/or dependent

For application instructions and submission, visit . Those interested in learning how they can support military-connected students at ���ϲ����� are encouraged to .

Sean Stumpf

Born in the Bronx, Sean Stumpf ’07, often watched planes take off and land at nearby LaGuardia Airport.

That childhood fascination sparked a lifelong passion for aviation that fueled his determination to become a pilot. Today, Stumpf is the one doing the takeoffs and landings, but instead of a commercial airliner he flies the C-130J, also known as the Super Hercules, in the United States Air Force.

The C-130 is one of the most versatile aircraft in the world that has been in service since the ’50s and flies missions supporting every branch of the military as well as various civil organizations operating in austere environments.

In high school, Stumpf played baseball and football but also participated in track and field, primarily running in the 200-meter, 400-meter and 800-meter races and various relays. Stumpf recalls that in his senior year of high school, he experienced competing in the Dome firsthand, an experience that would become familiar to him in front of family and friends while in college.

“I was a state finalist in track and field my senior year of high school. The state finals were in the Dome that year,” says Stumpf, who serves as the chief of safety for the 317th Airlift Wing at Dyess Air Force Base. “My sister was a student at ���ϲ����� when I got my first taste of the campus and its beauty though,” Stumpf recalled.

Stumpf was in the Dome when the ���ϲ����� football team crushed Rutgers University in a blowout 42-0 game. The overall experience left an impression on him and years later, when it came time to apply to college, ���ϲ����� was among his top three choices. He says he was looking for a university where he could study aerospace engineering, participate in Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) and run track.

“I was so conflicted because all my choices had so much to offer. One morning, my dad woke me up early and told me to get in the car, that we were going on a four-hour drive,” says Stumpf. “We arrived on campus for our own tour and bumped into some ROTC cadets. It was an absolutely gorgeous day and the campus just felt like my new home. A few days later Carmelo Anthony and the men’s basketball team brought home the national title and I was sold.”

Of course, being a full-time college student is time-consuming all on its own. Add on the rigorous schedule for ROTC as well as being a student-athlete and free time becomes almost non-existent. Stumpf’s schedule those first few years started early, long before the sun came up, and ending long after it went down.

“I get tired just thinking about it,” Stumpf says. “Mornings were devoted to ROTC, followed by a day’s worth of aerospace engineering degree requisites, track practice, homework, then bed. Eventually I had to prioritize these things and, since I was not a strong athlete, my degree and ROTC took lead, so I left the team after a couple of years.”

Stumpf graduated from ���ϲ����� and accepted a commission in the USAF as a second lieutenant. Most of his first few years were spent going through the training process to become a C-130 pilot. Initially, he served as a navigator on a C-130 but a few short years later he was selected to become a pilot—a dream he had chased since childhood.

“Since I was young I had always wanted to fly airplanes. They flew over my house all the time to land at LaGuardia,” Stumpf says. “Yes, I’m biased, but being a C-130 crewmember is the greatest job in the Air Force. The missions are always changing, our tactics and problem-solving abilities are always being tested.”

Stumpf has returned to his alma mater a few times since graduating, mostly for athletic or alumni events, but also to speak with current cadets with Air Force ROTC Detachment 535. He returned a few years ago, after becoming an officer, to visit with the ROTC cadets and answer their questions about life in the U.S. Air Force after graduation.

Sharing his knowledge with cadets is one thing, but Stumpf returned earlier this year to give back in an entirely different way that the cadets are sure to remember.

“My fellow pilot, a ���ϲ����� native, and I thought it would be an incredible opportunity for the cadets to get a live look at the C-130J and its dynamic mission,” Stumpf says.

Some people can go years in the military without ever stepping foot on a C-130, much less having the opportunity to fly in one. Getting on a military aircraft, participating in a flight and speaking with the pilots afterward is a rare opportunity, especially for ROTC cadets. The opportunity for this experience was primarily due to Stumpf’s passion for supporting the Air Force ROTC detachment at ���ϲ�����.

With 16 years of service to date, Stumpf plans to finish out his career and retire from the Air Force one day. An exact date isn’t on his mind at the moment, but he is about to reach a major milestone in his military career in early February.

“I’ll reach the pinnacle in a couple of weeks. In February, I will become the squadron commander for the 40th Airlift Squadron, the ‘Screaming Eagles,’ at Dyess Air Force Base,” says Stumpf. “I’m truly humbled to be given this opportunity. I’ll be working for approximately 150 people who’ve volunteered to serve their country; looking after their well-being, professional development, training, and deployment readiness.”

Those interested in learning more about the opportunities available through the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps at ���ϲ����� are encouraged to visit the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs .

The Student Veterans of America 15th Annual National Conference serves as an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of student veterans and their advocates in higher education and afford opportunities to speak with veteran-inclusive companies and advocacy organizations.

A group of 14 military-connected students were in Florida earlier this month at the Walt Disney World Resort to attend the Student Veterans of America 15th Annual National Conference (NATCON). Additionally, eight staff members from the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs and the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families attended the conference, which boasts the largest gathering for the military-connected community within higher education.

The students were mostly from the Student Veterans Organization, the University’s official student association focused on support, advocacy and camaraderie for the campus military-connected community.

The conference serves as an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of student veterans and their advocates in higher education, but the schedule-packed days also afford opportunities to speak with veteran-inclusive companies and advocacy organizations, and even express their support or concern for future legislation impacting the military community.

Cadets from the University’s two Reserve Officer Training Corps detachments were also given the opportunity to take part in the unique student experience. As future military officers, they received exposure to the broad range of programs and services that will be available to them and their future subordinates upon separation from the military.

“Student Veterans of America’s National Conference kicks off a new year for student veterans, military-connected students, survivors and those who support them, and provides a unique opportunity for employers looking to empower this incredibly talented population,” says Student Veterans of America National President and CEO Jared Lyon. “This year’s 15th Annual celebration marks a legacy of leadership, opportunity and service that will reverberate for years to come.”

To attend NATCON, the students applied for one of the conference tickets the OVMA provides each year. Thanks to donations to the Veterans Legacy Fund, the OVMA covers the cost of conference registration, airfare and lodging for a certain number of ���ϲ����� students each year.

Many military-connected students attend NATCON to speak to a banquet hall full of companies looking to hire veterans, veteran services organizations educating about their services and advocacy groups seeking input on current legislation for policies impacting veterans. For those students who are members of the SVO’s executive board, going to NATCON also includes an opportunity to gain valuable lessons on running a students veteran organization on campus.

“A big moment for me was during one of the breakout sessions. I realized before looking onward to after graduating from Maxwell and Whitman next year that there are several ways in which I can serve my community right here in ���ϲ�����, beyond the SVO or being an EMT,” says Anthony Ruscitto G’22, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and the president of ���ϲ�����’s SVO.

“The best aspect of the conference this year was the student veterans and staff we took though. Each of us are different in ways beyond just our service branch. We all had different career goals and background but definitely grew a lot closer and learned more about each other over the week. I’d recommend every SU student veteran apply to go every year, if possible,” Ruscitto says.

In addition to being the SVO’s president, Ruscitto, a graduate student with the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, was among the eight finalists in the running for Student Veteran of the Year this year. While a student from Loyola University walked away with the top honors this year, Ruscitto did have a unique opportunity that most college students would never experience.

Anthony Ruscitto

“The most significant and certainly most exciting moment was being able to address the entire conference and formally introduce Denis McDonough, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs,” says Ruscitto. “It was a humbling and very rewarding experience to be recognized, I can’t believe where I am today after looking back at the last four years.”

Ruscitto and other student veterans also sat down with the U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona to discuss the challenges facing veterans in higher education. Student veterans at ���ϲ����� enjoy a high level of support, due largely to Chancellor Kent Syverud declaring that supporting veterans would be a University initiative during his inaugural address. The University is often used as an example on best practices for educating veterans.

“Speaking as a second-year Ph.D. student at Maxwell, I can confirm that ���ϲ����� is a truly remarkable place for veterans,” said Lyon, who in addition to being the SVA’s president is also pursuing a doctoral degree in social science with the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. “So, it was no surprise that one of ���ϲ�����’s very own, Anthony Ruscitto, was honored as a Student Veteran of the Year finalist at the SVA Honors Luncheon, amongst so many exceptional student veterans present.”

One of the reasons NATCON draws such a large attendance each year is the opportunity to learn about the latest programs and resources available for student veterans and the military-community.

Members from the D’Aniello Institute’s Research and Data Analytics team presented their latest findings and publications directly to the audience their research impacts the most, while representatives from the OVMA shared their knowledge and experience with other chapters through presentations and guided discussions.

���ϲ����� staff members who participated in the conference were Melissa Bird, IVMF, project manager, entrepreneurship; Linda Rougeau Euto, IVMF, associate director, research and evaluation; Misty Fox, IVMF, director of entrepreneurship and small business; Rosalinda Vasquez-Maury, IVMF, director of applied research and analytics; Ron Novack (retired U.S. Army colonel), Office of Veteran and Military Affairs, executive director; Jennifer Pluta, Office of Veteran and Military Affairs, director of Veteran Career Services; Grace Swinnerton, IVMF, visiting librarian; and Mirza Tihic, Martin J. Whitman School of Management, adjunct professor of entrepreneurship

Novack is no stranger to NATCON, and over the years he has contributed his extensive knowledge on how SVA chapters can make their fundraising efforts more effective. He’s not only seen firsthand how much the event has grown in size over the years, but he’s also been a part of making ���ϲ�����’s presence at NATCON so impactful.

“���ϲ����� has historically enjoyed a large presence at NATCON every year because we have been in the veterans education space for decades,” says Novack.�� “Schools that are just getting started with their student veterans initiatives look to us and seek out our knowledge, and our experience. We stand out because our university stands behind us, and that’s what makes ���ϲ����� the Best place for Veterans.”

The 16th Annual NATCON is scheduled to take place in Nashville, Tennessee, from Jan. 4-6, 2024. Military-connected students interested in attending NATCON should sign up for OVMA’s newsletter to stay informed on application deadlines and information sessions. Those interested in supporting student veterans at ���ϲ����� should visit the Veteran Legacy Fund, and help continue ���ϲ�����’s tradition of service to veterans and military students.