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.

Chancellor Syverud speaks at the opening of the University’s new center in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 24. (Photo by Shannon Finney)

The opening of a new ���ϲ����� center in Washington, D.C., was celebrated by members of the University community at a special event Sept. 24.

“This city is a place our students want to be. It’s a place they want to live. And it’s a place they want to build their futures and careers after they graduate,” said Chancellor Kent Syverud. “Our students studying away here benefit from ���ϲ�����’s academic strength and deep connections in policy, government, media and law.”

The center, located at 1333 New Hampshire Ave. in the Dupont Circle area of Washington, will serve students, faculty, staff and alumni. Building on an already thriving presence in the nation’s capital, the center will enhance the University’s global influence and impact.

Mike Tirico ’88, host and play-by-play commentator with NBC Sports, hosted the event. Speakers included Chancellor Syverud, Interim Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Lois Agnew, and Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation J. Michael Haynie.

The centerpiece of the event was a panel discussion examining the changing landscape of collegiate sports and public policy. Margaret Talev, Kramer Director of the ���ϲ����� Institute for Democracy, Journalism and Citizenship, moderated the discussion. Panelists were James Phillips, commissioner of the Atlantic Coast Conference, Felisha Legette-Jack ’89, ���ϲ����� women’s basketball coach, and Tirico.

From left: Mike Tirico, Felisha Legette-Jack, James Phillips and Margaret Talev participate in a panel discussion on the changing landscape of collegiate sports and public policy on Sept. 24. (Photo by Shannon Finney)

Expanded Opportunities

The Washington, D.C., center houses the and serves as a home base for study away programs offered by the , and , through which hundreds of students live, learn and work in the city every year. Washington is home to more than 15,000 alumni, many of whom connect with students as teachers, mentors and internship supervisors.

The center will support the continued growth of study away programming across the University’s schools and colleges, as envisioned in the academic strategic plan, “.”

“We now begin a new chapter in that already successful story,” Provost Agnew said. “This space is more than just a building. It is ���ϲ�����’s academic home in one of the most important cities in the world. It will serve as a hub for students, faculty and staff, positioning them as change makers and thought leaders on some of the most important issues of our time.”

Students joined alumnus broadcaster Mike Tirico (sixth from left, front) and Newhouse School Director of Washington Programs Beverly Kirk (fourth from right) to celebrate the opening of 1333 New Hampshire Ave., the University’s new dedicated space in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Shannon Finney)

The center will also enhance the work of the (IVMF), which has a satellite office in the building. Haynie noted that IVMF has contributed more than 1,750 research publications, engagements and products for public benefit, with much of that work focused on the federal level.

“I am confident that with a permanent presence in Washington, the institute’s impact will grow considerably and accrue to the benefit of those who have worn the nation’s cloth and their families,” he said.

The center includes classrooms, student lounges, conference and interview rooms and a multipurpose space, as well as satellite offices for the and the Division of Advancement and External Affairs. It features the Greenberg Welcome Center, named for alumnus and Life Trustee Paul Greenberg ’65, whose philanthropy supported the 1990 opening of Greenberg House, the University’s first outpost in Washington.

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

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

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

Check out other highlights from Navy Week below.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 .

Xheneta Sopjani (left), Emeka Ossai (center) and Natasha Brao are among the recipients of the Spring 2024 Orange Innovation Fund grant.

���ϲ����� Libraries is accepting fall 2024 applications for the grant now through Friday, Sept. 27, at 5 p.m. Interested applicants should plan to attend one of the information and proposal/grant writing workshops on Sept. 10, 11 or 12.

The Orange Innovation Fund supports student research initiatives emerging from campus innovation programs. The grant ‘concept to commercialization’ fund is designed to help move graduate and undergraduate student research or scholarly projects from ideation to proof of concept to commercialization. Initial funding from the program came from a gift to the Libraries from Raj-Ann Rekhi Gill ’98, a member of the University Board of Trustees.

Grants up to $5,000 per award will be made, with a total of up to $50,000 per academic year based on the merit of applications.

The program is administered through ���ϲ����� Libraries, in collaboration with the University’s research and commercialization programs such as the�� (SOURCE), the��,��, ,��, the��, the����at ���ϲ�����,��,��, the����(NYSTAR designated Center for Advanced Technology) and the��. Applicants can also come directly through research classes, labs or independent study programs across the University.

Student applicants must identify specific tangible needs related to the product, service, technology or creative work they are developing. Grants will support defined projects over a clear timeframe with identified outcomes that will help move a research project or innovative venture toward proof of concept toward commercialization.

A prerequisite to applying is attendance at one of the proposal writing workshops being offered by Linda Dickerson Hartsock, advisor, strategic initiatives ���ϲ����� Libraries, and former founding director of the Blackstone LaunchPad. Students should attend one of the following workshops to create a successful application:

• Tuesday, September 10, from 3 to 4 p.m. in Bird Library
• Wednesday, September 11, from 3 to 4 p.m. in Couri Hatchery, Whitman Room 116
• Thursday, September 12, from 3 to 4 p.m. Hybrid in Bird Library or via

Dickerson Hartsock is also available to help coach applicants through the process and can be scheduled for sessions on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons by emailing ldhart01@syr.edu.

Applications are due Friday, September 27, by 5 p.m. to ���ϲ����� Libraries. For a link to the application or to register for a workshop, please e-mail orangeinnovation@syr.edu to indicate your interest in the program.

Following a cross-campus committee review process, announcements and award letters will be made in October.

Nine student teams were the

• Anthony D’Angelo (Newhouse):
• Lindsey Darvin (Falk): I
• Sylvia Sierra (VPA):
• Farhana Sultana (Maxwell):
• Charles Driscoll (Engineering and Computer Science):
• Margaret Talev (Newhouse/Maxwell): () | (NPR) |
• Kevin Antshel (Arts & Sciences):
• Shubha Ghosh (Law):
• Melinda Dermody (Libraries):
• Dessa Bergen-Cico (Falk): ,
• Margaret Thompson (Maxwell): | (Oakland, CA)
• Mona Bhan, (Maxwell):
• Roy Gutterman (Law/Newhouse):
• Brian Taylor (Maxwell): ���� I
• Lynne Vincent (Whitman):
• Natalie Koch (Maxwell):
• Eric Kingson (Falk):
• Jennifer Stromer-Galley (iSchool): |
• Grant Reeher (Maxwell): | | | again | (Spain) | ��
• Natalie Koch (Maxwell): |
• Joel Kaplan (Newhouse):
• Rick Burton (Falk):
• Gregory Germain (Law): | | | (UK) |
• Jessica Garay (Falk):
• Jacob Bendix (Maxwell):
• Patrick Penfield (Whitman): ����
• Jack Graves (Law):
• Robert Thompson (Newhouse): | | | I I ��I I I
• Jon Ryan (Information Technology Services):
• Katherine Macfarlane (Law):
• J. Christopher Hamilton (Newhouse): |
• Matt Huber (Maxwell): I
• Ken Marfilius (Falk): Podcast –
• Keith Doss (Office of Veterans and Military Affairs):
• Dwayne Murray (Office of Veterans and Military Affairs):
• Tetiana Hranchak (Maxwell): |
• Kivanc Avrenli (Whitman) :
• Traci Geisler (Blackstone LaunchPad): ��
• Bhavneet Walia (Falk):
• Latha Ramalingam (Falk):
• Gary Engelhardt (Maxwell):
• Makana Chock (Newhouse):
• William Banks (Law): (UK) | |
• Bernard Appiah (Falk):
• Milena Petrova (Whitman):
• Kathleen Corrado (Arts & Sciences):

To get in touch and learn more about ���ϲ����� faculty members available for interviews, please contact��media@syr.edu.

Jamieson Ritter

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

“Jamieson Ritter’s life of dedicated service represents the very best of ���ϲ�����,” says Mike Haynie, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation and executive director of the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families. “This new scholarship will honor Jamieson’s memory by assisting students who follow his example in seeking to serve their country and community in uniform.”

The scholarship was established in consultation with Ritter’s family.

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

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

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

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

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

Three talented and passionate ���ϲ����� student veterans—Benetta Dousuah G’25, second-year law student Jude Akpunku and Zahra Johnson G’25—were recognized as 2024 Tillman Scholars by the .

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

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

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

���ϲ����� was invited to become a Pat Tillman Foundation University Partner in 2017. To date, the University has seen .

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

Benetta Dousuah G’25, U.S. Army

Academic major: Social work ()

Benetta Dousuah

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

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

How does it feel to be recognized as a Tillman Scholar? “It’s an honor to be surrounded by people dedicated to making a difference in our military. My passion is to change how investigations are done in the SHARP program. I am excited to bring this idea to other scholars and see what the future holds.”

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

How do you plan to use this scholarship and this experience to make an impact in your community? “I aim to use the education and experiences from ���ϲ����� and the Tillman Scholar program to advocate for significant policy changes, specifically to reform the investigative process within the SHARP program.”

Jude Akpunku, U.S. Naval Academy

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

Jude Akpunku

What drew you to study at ���ϲ�����? “The University’s strong commitment to veterans and its renowned law program attracted me, aligning perfectly with my aspirations in law and public service.”

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

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

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

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

Zahra Johnson G’25, U.S. Army

Academic major: Biomedical forensic science ()

Zahra Johnson

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

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

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

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

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

In the video, ���ϲ����� Vice Chancellor , who is also the executive director and founder of the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families, speaks about the GI Bill’s origins and the University’s role in its inception. He also discusses the importance of other universities welcoming veterans, highlighting the positive impact they have on campuses.

If you’d like to schedule an interview with him, please reach out to Vanessa Marquette, media relations specialist, at .

McConville writes: “Frequent military moves often place financial hardships on service members (SM) and their families. For a spouse like me, 23 moves over my SM’s 42-year Army career, caused many challenging pivots in my own career. The new policy authorizing reimbursement of moving costs – up to $1,000 – associated with a spouse’s business is crucial in helping mitigate those financial hardships, in encouraging career sustainment and growth, and in enhancing SM retention.” Also, please view her .

Maury writes: “The new policy reimbursing military spouses up to $1,000 for business costs during moves addresses significant challenges highlighted in our latest data brief on . Our research shows that 46% of military spouses feel their status negatively affects their career prospects, driving many toward entrepreneurship. Despite 74% of military spouse entrepreneurs reporting that entrepreneurship positively impacts their professional lives, only 28% can fully support themselves or their families through their businesses. This reimbursement provides essential financial relief, supporting their resilience and entrepreneurial spirit, and helping them sustain and grow their ventures.”

For the second year in a row, ���ϲ����� will honor the success of Orange business leaders across the globe at the ’CUSE50 awards. This annual celebration features 50 of the fastest-growing businesses founded or owned by ���ϲ����� alumni. The inaugural honorees included a marketing agency CEO, a party rental company owner, a creative event production company founder and many others.

Applications for the are being accepted now.

“���ϲ�����’s is home to one of the first academic entrepreneurship programs in the U.S., and we have a longstanding tradition of supporting and elevating the entrepreneurial aspirations of our students,” says��. “The ’CUSE50 Alumni Entrepreneur program is a natural extension of that tradition, and a unique opportunity to connect our alumni entrepreneurs with our current students and faculty.”

Alumni of any school or college, graduates of ���ϲ����� executive education programs and alumni of entrepreneurship programs operated by the�� are eligible and encouraged to apply.

“���ϲ����� alumni are doing extraordinary work all over the world, and I am thrilled that we are going to recognize the business acumen they developed at ���ϲ�����. What I’m most excited about is that our honorees will return to campus to pass along valuable insights to the next generation of Orange entrepreneurs,” says , ���ϲ�����’s chief advancement officer.

Honorees will be recognized on campus on Thursday, Nov. 14, in the National Veterans Resource Center at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building. While on campus, ’CUSE50 honorees will also share insights with each other and current students, as part of a series of campus engagement sessions planned for Friday, Nov. 15, during the ’CUSE50 Symposium.

��Do you want to compete to be recognized in the inaugural class of ’CUSE50 awardees?

The eligibility criteria for the ’CUSE50 awards are as follows:

• Applicants must be alumni of ���ϲ����� and be either a majority owner or hold a C-suite level leadership position in the company;
• Applicants must have founded their business at least three calendar years prior to the date of application for ’CUSE50 recognition;
• Must have had verifiable revenues of $100,000 or more in 2021; and
• Must have verifiable revenues of $250,000 or more in 2023.
• In addition, the company must meet one or more of the following criteria:
  • A ���ϲ����� alumnus or group of ���ϲ����� alumni maintain ownership in the company and have served as a C-Suite executive (i.e. chairman, CEO, president, or managing partner) for three consecutive years prior to nomination; or
  • A ���ϲ����� alumnus has led the company as a C-Suite executive for three consecutive years prior to nomination; or
  • A ���ϲ����� alumnus founded the company and has been active as a member of its senior management team for three consecutive years prior to nomination.
• The company and its leaders and/or founders must act with high integrity and operate in a manner consistent with the values of ���ϲ�����. To demonstrate the alignment with the values of ���ϲ�����, prospective and past honorees should:
  • Accept responsibility for their actions;
  • Hold oneself and others to the highest standards of personal integrity;
  • Practice equality in human relations;
  • Uphold the law, and respect the rights of others;
  • Contribute positively to ���ϲ����� as well as to the national and global community.

The deadline to apply for recognition is��Sunday, July 14. To learn more about the ’CUSE50 awards and nominate your company for recognition, 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 .

First-generation college students Melanie Salas (left), Jean Castilla (center) and Brianna Gillfillian discuss the challenges they faced, the lessons they learned and their plans for after graduation.

A trio of first-generation college students have demonstrated hard work and resiliency and shown how they ultimately set themselves on the path that will culminate Sunday morning inside the JMA Wireless Dome when they become the first members of their families to earn college degrees during ���ϲ�����’s .

• Melanie Salas ’24 was inspired by a high school coach to challenge herself to realize that she could do anything she set her mind to.
• Jean Castilla ’24 worked hard to strengthen his knowledge base and earn admission into a prestigious New York City high school that would prepare him for the rigors of college.
• Brianna Gillfillian ’24 pushed the limits of her comfort zone to leave her home country of Jamaica to earn a college degree and rely on the kindness of strangers to pay her way to ���ϲ����� through a GoFundMe account.

Surrounded by the nearly 6,700 fellow degree recipients, and in front of their families and friends, Salas, Castilla and Gillfillian will join the ranks of the more than 250,000 proud Orange alumni around the world, knowing that, hopefully, their stories will inspire other would-be college students to overcome their fears and blaze their own paths.

Leading up to convocation, these talented first-generation students sat down with SU News to discuss the challenges they faced, the lessons they learned and their plans for after graduation.

Melanie Salas ’24

Melanie Salas

Path to ���ϲ�����: “When I was in elementary school, people always told me I wouldn’t be anything in life. It motivated me and forced me to grow into the person I am today. When I was in high school, my softball coach helped me discover that I could do anything in this world, and that really inspired me to go out and learn as much as I can. My parents [Juan Salas and Lorena Granados] did everything for me to get to ���ϲ����� and now I am set to graduate early, and I’m just so thankful for the mentors on campus who helped me overcome the struggles I faced.”

Academic major: Biology ()

Involvement on campus: Our Time Has Come Scholar, Ronald E. McNair Scholar, Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, orientation leader, Research Experience for Undergraduates, research assistant with SUNY Upstate Medical University, Food Recovery Network (part of the Catholic Center)

Best piece of advice: “Always put your foot in every single door, because you never know when the opportunity will come along that could change your life. Whenever I could, I represented myself, stood up and spoke out and from those moments, I grew into the person I wanted to be, who helped make change on campus. All those people who told me I would never be anything inspired me to bring about change to my community. You truly start on the path toward your dreams once you come to campus.”

Plans after graduation: Will be enrolling in Baylor University’s cell, molecular, health and disease biology graduate program, with the goal of earning a Ph.D. and one day opening her own research lab focused on studying ways to improve the overall health and well-being of society. “I want to help those who don’t have access to opportunities I’ve had. I want to give back to those less fortunate and help make a difference in our community.”

Jean Castilla ’24

Jean Castilla

Path to ���ϲ�����: “It’s been a mission of mine to attend college since I was in middle school. When I was in the eighth grade, instead of playing with my friends or playing video games, I was studying for the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test, which is used to determine who gets into one of the top eight specialized high schools in New York City. I was admitted into the High School for Math, Science and Engineering at City College, and was on a path to college from there. The decision to focus on my studies changed the trajectory of my life and my family’s life. My mom, Rosa, made a lot of sacrifices so I could pursue an education, and knowing what she sacrificed drove me and inspired me.”

Academic major: Entrepreneurship and emerging enterprises ()

Involvement on campus: Our Time Has Come Scholar, Hendricks Chapel Scholarship, Whitman Internship Scholarship, Veteran Legacy Fund Scholarship, Lois and Martin J. Whitman Scholarship, Office of Veterans and Military Affairs Scholarship, Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Florence Scholarship, student liaison in the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs

Best piece of advice: “Especially for my fellow first-generation students, a big thing is to have faith that everything will work out. Having faith in yourself and believing in your abilities is something we all need to practice. If you can’t believe in yourself, it won’t happen. I know I’ve gone through a lot of obstacles and adversity in my life, but every time I remind myself that I’m just being tested to see if I’m ready to move on to the next chapter in my life.”

Plans after graduation: Castilla currently serves as a crew chief in the Air National Guard’s 174th Attack Wing and has a job lined up in the military once he graduates. He’s also planning on continuing his career as an entrepreneur, “creating an established business where I’m the CEO and I can help other people in my community. That’s my ideal situation. I want to be able to give back because I’ve been helped tremendously on my journey.”

Brianna Gillfillian ’24

Brianna Gillfillian

Path to ���ϲ�����: “My high school curriculum in Jamaica emphasized math, English and information technology, so I had a lot of experience in those fields and it was something I was genuinely good at and enjoyed. My parents didn’t graduate from high school, so after I graduated, people asked me ‘why don’t you stay in Jamaica for college?’ I knew I had to come to America, but I didn’t have the money to pay for a flight to ���ϲ�����, so I personally launched a GoFundMe to get me to ���ϲ�����. Because nobody in my family went to college, I relied on my high school guidance counselors for advice, and in terms of my finances, I had to do everything on my own. I learned that I am resilient from this process. It would have been easy to just stay in Jamaica, get a scholarship and get my degree but I knew if I didn’t go away to college I would regret it. I had a vision for myself and would stop at nothing to make it happen.”

Academic major: Computer science ()

Involvement on campus: Our Time Has Come Scholar, National Society of Black Engineers, Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program, Alpha Kappa Psi (business fraternity), Delta Sigma Theta (sorority), Kalabash Dance Troupe, Scholars on a Mission, Save our Child’s Heart Foundation

Best piece of advice: “I feel being as outgoing as possible helped me connect with the University and discover my community. I love being involved in organizations, and I feel that through my involvement I was able to put myself out there and become the person and the leader I wanted to be.”

Plans after graduation: Will be enrolling in ���ϲ�����’s engineering management program in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, with the goal of one day working in product management or project management within the field of technology or engineering. “I’m a very creative person, and I’m always thinking in terms of the user experience and design when it comes to the different apps. I want to make sure that whatever product I’m helping to develop is suitable and maximizes the user experience.”

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

���ϲ�����’s (IVMF) received a $3.5 million grant from Google to help train our nation’s transitioning service members, veterans and military-connected spouses on cybersecurity and artificial intelligence topics.

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

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

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

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

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

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

J. Michael Haynie

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

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

The One University Awards Ceremony, an annual event to honor members of the ���ϲ����� community who are making a difference through academics, scholarship, creative work and dedicated service, will be held Friday, April 19, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in Hendricks Chapel.

“Every year, we come together to celebrate the outstanding contributions and tremendous success of our students, faculty, staff and broader community,” says Chancellor Kent Syverud. “The accomplishments of this year’s recipients reinforce what it means to be Orange. This ceremony also shines a bright spotlight on the work being done around campus, much of which happens behind the scenes. I thank the many members of our community who organized this event and look forward to recognizing this year’s winners.”

Two major awards—the Chancellor’s Medal and the Chancellor’s Citation for Excellence—will be bestowed. The ceremony will also include the presentation of the Student-Athlete Award, Judith Seinfeld Scholarship, Meredith Professorship for Teaching Excellence, Teaching Recognition Award, Diversity and Inclusion Award, William Pearson Tolley Medal for Distinguished Leadership in Lifelong Learning and Chancellor’s Forever Orange Award.

and�� will also be recognized. This year’s��University Scholars,��, and Remembrance and Lockerbie Scholars will also be honored.

All members of the University community are invited and encouraged to attend. A reception will follow in the lobby of the Heroy Geology Laboratory.

American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) will be provided at the ceremony. For questions about accessibility or to request accommodations, contact Gabe Coleman at gbcolma@syr.edu.

Award Recipients��

The��Chancellor’s Medal��is the University’s highest honor and is awarded to individuals in honor of their trailblazing and extraordinary contributions to the University, to an academic body of knowledge or to society. This year’s recipient is��, Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor for Teaching Excellence and professor of electrical engineering and computer science in the College of Engineering and Computer Science.

The��Chancellor’s Citation for Excellence��recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions in four overarching categories:

• The award for��Excellence in Student Research recognizes students who have engaged in collaborative research that has the potential to make a deep and lasting impact on greater society. This year’s recipients are Jingjing Ji, a doctoral candidate in chemical engineering in the Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering in the College of Engineering and Computer Science (graduate), and Ashtha Singh, an international relations major in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and citizenship and civic engagement major in the Maxwell School (undergraduate).
• The award for��Outstanding Contributions to the Student Experience and University Initiatives acknowledges faculty and staff who, through their work, enhance the undergraduate experience for students or make invaluable contributions to supporting and advancing the University’s mission and goals. The recipients are��, associate professor of communications in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications (faculty); , chief operating officer for the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (professional staff); , program coordinator of citizenship and civic engagement in the Maxwell School (professional staff) and , events coordinator at Lubin House (support staff).
• The��Faculty Excellence and Scholarly Distinction award is intended for faculty members who are collaborators in work of intellectual richness that has the potential for future impact. The work of these nominees offers possibilities for collaboration within the University and outside in partnership with others. This year’s honorees are��, Distinguished Professor in the Department of Art and Music Histories in the College of Arts and Sciences, and , associate dean of research and professor of Public Health in the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics.
• Chancellor’s Citation for Excellence, Lifetime Achievement Award. This award honors those who have made extraordinary contributions toward advancing all four pillars of excellence over the arc of their careers while at ���ϲ����� and beyond. This year’s recipient is��, Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor for Teaching Excellence and professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering in the College of Engineering and Computer Science.

The other awards to be presented are:

• The��Student-Athlete Award recognizes the top female and top male student athletes and are presented to the senior student-athletes with the highest cumulative grade point average over the course of their academic and athletic careers. This year’s recipients are Izabela Krakic, an international relations major in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and College of Arts and Sciences and member of the women’s rowing team, and Julius Rauch, an entrepreneurship and emerging enterprises major in the Whitman School of Management and a member of the men’s soccer team.
• Seinfeld Scholarship: Each year ���ϲ����� honors the talents of outstanding faculty or students through an��, a distinguished alumna and member of the University Board of Trustees. Awards are made to those who have been determined by their peers to have made outstanding contributions to the beauty of the world, to have added to human values and to ending human abuse anywhere in the world, and to have demonstrated passion for excellence, creativity and originality in academic or artistic fields. This year, the designation is bestowed upon a faculty member,��, associate professor of advertising in the Newhouse School.
• The��Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professorships for Teaching Excellence were created in 1995 to recognize and reward outstanding teaching among faculty. The 2024-27 Meredith Professors are��, professor in the School of Information Studies, and , Bond, Schoeneck and King Distinguished Professor in the College of Law.
• In 2001, the Meredith Professorship Program was expanded to recognize teaching excellence by non-tenured faculty and adjunct and part-time instructors. Awards are given in two categories:��Early Performance and��Continuing Excellence. This year’s honorees in the Early Performance category are��, assistant professor of television, radio and film in the Newhouse School; , associate teaching professor of electrical engineering and computer science in the College of Engineering and Computer Science; , assistant professor of visual communications in the Newhouse School; , assistant teaching professor of Chinese and Chinese language in the College of Arts and Sciences; and , assistant professor in the School of Architecture. The two honorees in the Continuing Excellence category are��, assistant dean of online and distance education and associate teaching professor of social work in the Falk College, and , teaching professor and graduate director of nutrition and food studies in the Falk College.
• The��Diversity and Inclusion Award��recognizes an individual who is integral in helping us achieve academic excellence at a university that is welcoming to all through our investments in a diverse, inclusive, accessible and equitable community. This year’s recipient is��, teaching professor in the College of Law and faculty fellow for the Office of Strategic Initiatives and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
• The��William Pearson Tolley Medal for Distinguished Leadership in Lifelong Learning is based in the School of Education and honors national or international leadership in support of lifelong learning. This year’s recipient is ’77, executive director of MidPenn Legal Services, adjunct professor of law at PennState’s Dickinson Law and an alumna of the School of Education.
• The��Chancellor’s Forever Orange Award recognizes individual students, faculty or staff who—by virtue of extraordinary hard work, good values and commitment to excellence—have come to embody the best of ���ϲ�����. This year’s recipients are , associate vice president of parent engagement and student experience, and , head coach of the men’s soccer team.

Vanessa Marquette G’19, media relations specialist, and Daryl Lovell, associate director of media relations, both in the Division of Communications, were honored with separate awards.

Providing Support to Members of the Military

Marquette G’19 was recognized by the National Infantry Association (NIA) with the Shield of Sparta – Heroine of the Infantry award after her husband’s most recent deployment in Africa. This honor is awarded to a spouse who has contributed significantly to the infantry. The NIA’s goal is to recognize spouses of infantrymen and other soldiers in support roles whose contributions deserve special recognition. The award is a token of appreciation for the sacrifice and commitment demanded of the spouses and supporters of infantrymen and other soldiers. It further symbolizes these individuals as true patriots with selfless ideals and the courage to send their soldier into harm’s way.

Ryan and Vanessa Marquette

Marquette’s military connections go further back as her grandfathers and great-uncle all served in WWII in the Army and Navy. Her parents, retired Chief Master Sgt. Steven Slachta G’71 and retired Lt. Col. Yvonne Slachta, both served in U.S. Air Force active duty and reserve for almost 30 years. She endured much more than typical drill weekends and long training exercises as a child as both parents were deployed overseas at times. Not only is her husband currently serving, but her nephew is in the U.S. Navy too, where she has supported his last three deployments on the USS Harry S. Truman. Her family’s dedication—and her own understanding of the sacrifices that families make—ultimately inspired her commitment to give back to the military community and to military families in many ways.

For the last 13 years, Marquette has selflessly devoted her time to supporting her husband, Ryan J.D./MPA’22, a U.S. Army veteran and member of the Army National Guard; his fellow infantrymen and their families through her work on numerous family readiness groups, according to the award. Whether it was relocating to where her husband was stationed, serving as a mentor to military families by relying on her lessons learned and struggles encountered as a child during her parents’ deployments, Ryan’s previous deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Africa, and through her previous work at the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) and Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA), organizing events and ceremonies or just providing to military families in need, Marquette did all this while working full time—and never asked for anything in return. It was the sacrifices she made and the selfless support she provided for others, which made her an obvious candidate for this award.

Providing Support to Military Families

Daryl Lovell and Vanessa Marquette

Lovell was presented with the Service Member Patriot Award by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve in the Office of Secretary of Defense. This honor is given to employee supervisors and reflects the efforts made to support citizen warriors through a wide range of measures, including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families and granting leaves of absence if needed.

According to the award, Lovell showcased her knowledge that military service is not just a service member commitment but a family commitment. Often, employers do not understand the stressors and commitments that a military spouse endures which makes employers—often unintentionally—unsympathetic toward military spouses who request accommodations to their work schedule so that the service member’s spouse can see their spouses off as they deploy overseas and welcome them back upon their return.

Not only did Lovell provide support to Marquette before, during and after her husband was deployed, but she has also been supporting veterans and military families since she began at University. As the liaison for OVMA and IVMF she has maneuvered through occasionally challenging circumstances to get the job done and ensure the stories of veterans and military families are told. Whether it was being prepared at 5 a.m. to facilitate back-to-back Veterans Day media interviews for J. Michael Haynie, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation, attend the Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE) program in Atlanta to support the new board member, or help promote the research that comes out of the IVMF Lovell makes it happen which made her beyond deserving of this award.

Recognizing the Support Provided

“Daryl and Vanessa embody what it takes for ���ϲ����� to be the Best Place for Veterans,” says Mike Haynie, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation. “They are consistent supporters of our military-connected students and employees and use their professional talents to tell this important pillar of our university’s story. Staff play a large role in our University’s work on behalf of veterans and military families, and I am proud of Daryl and Vanessa for setting a stellar example for our community.”

Ryan Marquette was the driving force behind both of these nominations, recognizing how critical the support was that his wife provided him and how being part of a team that allowed her the flexibility to be there for him. He honored both Vanessa and Lovell during a Communications division meeting.

“Having not only one but two members on our media relations team recognized for their commitment to veterans and their families is something that we are very proud of,” says Ellen Mbuqe, executive director of media relations. “Surprising both of them on the same day in front of our entire division was truly an inspiring moment for everyone on our team and we have Ryan to thank for spearheading both of these honors.”

From left to right: Ryan Marquette, Daryl Lovell and Vanessa Marquette

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 .

“Paper Trail: Works by Veteran Photographers, Cartoonists and Sketch Artists,” is on display at the , which is managed by VPA’s creative arts therapy program, through Friday, Aug. 2.

Many of the images are from three cartoonist collections held at the . Featured are works by (“Beetle Bailey”), (“Marmaduke”) and (a World War II cartoonist). Other materials are by Alan Dunn and former students of the military visual journalism program at the : Kenny Holston, Preston Keres, Pablo Piedra, Ethan Rocke and Marianique Santos.

The co-curators, graduate students Ohoud Ibrahim Alfadhli, Upneet Kaur Mair and Katelyn Marie Miller, have all worked on various aspects of the exhibit as NVRC Gallery curatorial assistants.

Jennifer DeLucia

, assistant professor and chair of creative arts therapy, has guided the students through the project, which includes cartoons, photography and sketches that convey the complexities of the veteran experience. “As co-curators, students are empowered to take an active role in shaping the narrative and design of the exhibitions,” DeLucia says. “The interdisciplinary partnership between the art therapy and museum studies programs within VPA creates opportunities for unique dialogue as multiple perspectives inform the curatorial work, and students add fresh ideas and a great level of energy and enthusiasm.”

The experience also provides a unique interdisciplinary and experiential learning opportunity. “They are exposed to military culture and history, and that knowledge of military-connected communities will carry with them as they transition into new roles when they graduate, [helping them] address the miliary-civilian divide,” DeLucia says.

Ohoud Alfadhli

Co-curating the exhibit helped Alfadhli, an international student from Saudi Arabia, better understand the administrative functions of developing an exhibit, such as making appropriate legal arrangements for the loan of the art and copyright issues, she says. She also enjoyed delving into the archives to select exhibit items. “It allowed me to explore the artists’ works, sketches and correspondence, yet it was also challenging because I encountered numerous pieces that deserved to be exhibited.”

Upneet Mair

Mair, who is from India, says she enjoyed the installation process most. “It can be a bit exhausting, but the process is what I like about it, and once the exhibition is up, the satisfaction of doing it feels good,” she says. Mair, who has a master’s degree in fine arts, finishes the museum studies master’s program this spring. She wants to work at major museums in New York City as a curator or collection manager.

Katelyn Miller

Miller hails from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, which she��calls “a place where museums, history and community engagement rule every major endeavor.” She adds: “I have embraced that perspective in both my undergraduate degree and my graduate career here.”

Miller used software to plot the exhibits in the gallery space, inputting artwork dimensions to develop an accessible and efficient design, an aspect of exhibition work that she particularly enjoyed. “Working on this exhibition from concept to installation has been a valuable exercise in collaboration and exhibition research and design. This space is an ideal environment for developing my skills as a museum professional, and I hope that ‘Paper Trail’ conveys this effort to its visitors,” she says. Miller wants to work in an institution that provides the community with learning resources, such as a national park, library or museum.

“The NVRC was intentionally designed to nurture interdisciplinary programming to advance the social, economic and wellness concerns of veterans and their families,” says J. Michael Haynie, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation and executive director of the University’s D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families. “Our collaboration with VPA at the NVRC Gallery is a unique example of ���ϲ�����’s commitment to being the best place for veterans, and I encourage the campus community to visit this impressive exhibit.”

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.

Now two years later, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs professors Tetiana Hranchak and Robert Murrett, along with IVMF staff member Linh Nguyen G’21, offer their reflections on the lessons learned and the road ahead. Access their videos below.

Tetiana Hranchak is a visiting assistant teaching professor, supported by ���ϲ�����’s participation in the Scholars at Risk Network. She shares her thoughts on the two-year anniversary of the war in her homeland. Having fled her country when the invasion commenced, she offers a unique perspective on the ongoing conflict. Learn more about her.

Retired U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Robert Murrett discusses how the military and defensive landscape of both Russia and Ukraine has developed over these last two years, along with what it’ll take for this war to come to an end. Murrett is a professor of practice and serves as the deputy director of ���ϲ�����’s Institute for Security Policy and Law. .

If you are with the media and would like to schedule an interview with either of these faculty/staff members, please reach out to Vanessa Marquette, media relations specialist, at vrmarque@syr.edu.

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.”

More than one in seven veterans discharged between 2002 and 2013 received a less than “Honorable” discharge, according to new research out of ���ϲ�����. The “” research brief describes how service members with behavioral or mental health challenges, ethnoracial minorities, members of the LGBTQ community, and women are at the greatest risk for receiving a less than “Honorable” discharge—which, in turn, has veterans experiencing lifelong negative consequences associated with their discharge status

Mariah Brennan and Emily Graham, the authors of this brief, said, “It is critical that we raise awareness surrounding the challenges that veterans face when they leave military service with a discharge that is less than ‘Honorable’. Transitioning from service can be challenging enough, but the added consequences associated with less than ‘Honorable’ discharges are severe, lifelong, and put this group of veterans at greater risk for poor health outcomes and homelessness. It’s important that resources and support upon separation are available to those in greatest need.”

If you’d like to learn more about this research and/or schedule an interview with the authors, please reach out to Vanessa Marquette, media relations specialist, at vrmarque@syr.edu.

• associate professor of sociology in the Maxwell School, was quoted in the BBC article “.”
• , associate teaching professor at Falk College, was interviewed for the Bored Panda story “.”
• , David M. Levy Professor of Law and Faculty Director of Online Education in the College of Law, shared her expertise in the USA Today piece “.”
• , professor of sociology in the Maxwell School, was quoted in The New York Times article ““
• , professor of geography and the environment in the Maxwell School, was quoted in the El País article “.”
• , Professor of Law and Director of Bankruptcy Clinic in the College of Law, provided expert commentary for the Moneygeek articles “” and “.” He was also quoted in this article.
• Researchers at the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families co-wrote The Ripon Forum piece “.”
• , retail expert and instructor in the Whitman School, was quoted in articles that ran in , and .
• , associate professor of communications in the Newhouse School, was interviewed for Slate article “.”
• , Managing Director of Programs and Services at the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF), was interviewed for .
• , professor in the Maxwell School, co-wrote The Guardian opinion article “.”
• , Trustee Professor of television, radio and film and director of the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture in the Newhouse School, was quoted in several outlets recently including The , , and .
• , professor of public relations in the Newhouse School, was interviewed for the Inc. piece “.”
• , Professor of Practice and Supply Chain Management and Director of Executive Education in the Whitman School, was interviewed by and .
• , ���ϲ����� College of Law Board of Advisors Distinguished Professor and Emeritus Professor in the College of Law, was interviewed by��.

To get in touch and learn more about ���ϲ����� faculty members available for interviews, please contact��media@syr.edu.

, 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 .

West Point Band

The spirit of the Orange will unite with the precision of the United States Army’s oldest active-duty band, the West Point Band, for several events this weekend at the University, including a public concert with the University’s Wind Ensemble in Crouse College’s Setnor Auditorium Sunday, Sept. 24.

Established in 1817, the West Point Band is the Army’s oldest continuously operating unit at West Point, tracing its lineage to the field musicians assigned by General George Washington when he established the post in 1778. Since that time, the band has evolved into one of the most capable and versatile professional performing groups in the world. Through its 2,600 annual missions, the West Point Band continues to serve the nation as a piece of America’s living history.

First, on Saturday, Sept. 23, when the in the JMA Wireless Dome, the West Point Band and United States Military Academy��Cadet Spirit Band will play with the ���ϲ����� Marching Band as part of the Military Appreciation Day game.

During halftime, legendary Hall of Fame football coach Ben Schwartzwalder, a ��war hero who earned a Purple Heart, Silver Star and Bronze Star for his actions during World War II, will be inducted into the ���ϲ����� Athletics Ring of Honor. Schwartzwalder led the Orange to the 1959 National Championship and coached some of the greatest players in football history, including Jim Brown, Ernie Davis and Floyd Little. Following the ceremony, the ���ϲ����� Marching Band and the West Point Band will play the West Point Band’s version of “Armed Forces Medley.”

Next, on Sunday, Sept. 24, the College of Visual and Performing Arts, in collaboration with the West Point Band, will host a series of masterclass sessions for ���ϲ����� students and local high school musicians to learn firsthand from the members of the West Point Band. Sessions will focus on woodwind and brass instruments.

���ϲ����� Wind Ensemble

After the masterclass sessions, the during a concert in Setnor Auditorium. The performance will also be livestreamed. Please note, the livestream will only be available during the concert from 2 to 3 p.m.

Based in the��, the Wind Ensemble is the premier concert wind organization at ���ϲ�����. Bradley Ethington, director of bands at the Setnor School of Music and the director of Wind Ensemble, and Timothy Diem, director of the Marching Band, will co-conduct the Wind Ensemble and will be guest conductors for the West Point Band. Additionally, Lt. Col. Daniel Toven, commander and conductor of the West Point Band, will also guest conduct the Wind Ensemble in a piece.

“The members of the West Point Band are marvelous musicians and consummate professionals,” says Ethington. “We look forward to this outstanding collaboration with our students, which will be long remembered. It is a great honor to have them on our campus to perform with the SU bands.”

During the final piece of the concert, “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” two local musicians, William Boyd, former member of the West Point Band, and , a former faculty member in the Setnor School, a former member of the West Point Band and former principal trombone in the ���ϲ����� Symphony Orchestra, will join the performance.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In the crisis, he sees hope. “The scope of the destruction Russia has wrought is criminal and tragic,” he says, “but I feel hope and optimism observing this generation of civil society leaders in Ukraine, as well as the resolve of Ukraine’s leaders. The people of Ukraine are resilient. It is hard to describe how resilient until you hear person after person declare ‘We are Ukraine’ and ‘We will win this war.’”

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.

The College of Law’s Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic provides representation to veterans and their families who are seeking benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has awarded a to the College of Law’s (VLC). The program is a first-of-its-kind grant opportunity from the VA to fund legal services providers.

To effectively deliver legal services to homeless and at-risk veterans throughout upstate New York, the VLC is partnering with:

• the ���ϲ����� VA Medical Center’s Health Care for Homeless Veterans program;
• the program with the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, which supports social work graduate students interested in working at the intersection of law and social work and promotes a stronger legal system that can address the holistic needs of clients; and
• ���ϲ�����Serves, a program of ���ϲ�����’s D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) located in the National Veterans Resource Center (NVRC), which supports a coordinated care network of local and national providers dedicated to serving the military community by collaborating to efficiently connect families to available services.

The grant program partners will identify, coordinate and deliver legal services that include discharge upgrades and complex disability claims assistance to this population.

“The VLC is honored to be part of this first-of-its-kind VA grant opportunity to fund legal service providers to better reach this vulnerable group of veterans. This is an excellent opportunity to deepen our relationship with the VA regarding the breadth of legal services the College of Law’s clinics can provide and to help shape further funding for legal services,” says Professor , executive director of the VLC.

The VLC provides representation to veterans and their families who are seeking benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or upgrading an unfavorable discharge through the various military services. While representing real clients, College of Law student attorneys gain an understanding of military culture, interact with government agencies, develop case management skills, improve advocacy skills and instill the value of pro bono service.

“Our student attorneys benefit from gaining hands-on legal experience with real clients and our community benefits from veterans receiving the much-needed legal services they otherwise could not afford,” says Kubala.

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.

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 .

U.S. flag retirement station located in the NVRC.

To commemorate the adoption of the stars and stripes on June 14, 1777, by the Second Continental Congress, Americans proudly celebrate Flag Day, June 14, by displaying the U.S. flag at their homes and businesses.

Many also use this day as an opportunity to retire an old flag that has become worn and tattered for a new one. Proper disposal of a worn old U.S. flag is not always simple, and is in fact governed by etiquette outlined in the .

This Flag Day, however, staff at the University’s National Veterans Resource Center at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building (NVRC) has made this process easier for all members of the Orange community, and our neighbors across Central New York, who are looking to respectfully and properly retire worn and tattered U.S. flags.

Earlier today, a U.S. flag retirement station was opened in the lobby of the NVRC. The station is accessible to members of the campus and Central New York community and is located inside the main doors of the NVRC, off Waverly Avenue, on the right side of the lobby of the building. It will be accessible during standard University business hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Raul Rosique (left), student veteran and secretary of the Student Veteran Organization, and Issak Hernandez, project coordinator in the Office of Strategic Initiatives and Innovation, demonstrate how to use the new U.S. flag retirement station.

NVRC staff will ensure that all U.S. flags deposited into this station are properly disposed of in accordance with U.S. Flag Code.

The idea for the flag station came about as a result of NVRC staff receiving ongoing inquiries, since the NVRC opened in 2021, from community members seeking support related to properly retiring their U.S. flag.

“The establishment of this flag retirement station provides our community with its very own secure space for the collection of worn U.S. flags,” says Issak Hernandez, project coordinator in the Office of Strategic Initiatives and Innovation, U.S. Army veteran and member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3146. “While these stations are often available at veterans service organization posts, a convenient and dedicated site right here on our campus will better serve students, employees and community members seeking assistance with appropriate flag retirement.”

For more information or with questions about the U.S. flag retirement station in the NVRC, please contact Issak Hernandez at ishernan@syr.edu.

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.

Jones, a U.S. Army veteran, is executive vice president tax counsel and chief veteran officer at Paramount Global overseeing all veteran-related initiatives for the multinational media company. Jones is also the board chair for ���ϲ�����’s . Fisher is managing partner of Fisher Brothers, one of the country’s most successful family-owned real estate development companies and chairman and CEO of Fisher House Foundation, carrying on the legacy of his great uncle, Zachary Fisher, overseeing a network of houses that serve as a home away from home for the families of service members and veterans being treated for illness or injury.

Reflecting on the recognition, Haynie acknowledged working alongside the dedicated team at the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families over the past 15 years. When starting as a professor at the Martin J. Whitman School of Management, Haynie created the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities program in 2007. He later established other training programs and subsequently founded the D’Aniello Institute which now operates 14 national programs serving 20,000 military-connected people each year and providing research and analytics for governmental entities, veteran nonprofits and large employers as well as driving policy work in Washington, D.C.

Pictured from left to right are Vice Chancellor J. Michael Haynie; Gerry Byrne, vice chairman of Penske Media; and alum Rich Jones ’92, G’95, L’95, executive vice president and chief veteran officer of Paramount Global, D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families Advisory Board member and board chair of the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs.

“I’m honored and truly humbled to be recognized by the Nation’s Finest Foundation, and to be included among such distinguished company. Over the past 15 years, I’ve been privileged by the opportunity to work with tremendous teammates at the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families,” says Haynie, who served in the U.S. Air Force for 14 years prior to joining the University.

“This award says more about that team than it does about me, and is a means to celebrate their talents, their passion, and their commitment to the work we do together on behalf of our nation’s veterans and their families,” Haynie says.

The Nation’s Finest Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting America’s military veterans and their families, takes a comprehensive approach to housing, health and employment, helping them achieve self-sufficiency and reach their full potential. To ensure a fair selection process, the foundation assembled a blue-ribbon panel to review nominations from across the nation and ultimately chose the 50 recipients who would be honored as one of the Nation’s Finest 50.

For more information and the list of the Nation’s Finest 50, visit the .

Madonna Harrington Meyer

Harrington Meyer is a Laura J. and Douglas L. Meredith Professor of Teaching Excellence and a faculty member in the sociology department in the . She studies how public policy shapes people’s everyday lives and how sociodemographic variables such as gender, race, class and disability can create variances in life experiences.

She also serves as a senior research associate at both the and the . Additionally, Harrington Meyer is a faculty affiliate at the and a research affiliate at the She is a fellow of the the society’s highest ranking, and was presented the Matilda White Riley Distinguished Scholar Award by the American Sociological Association Section on Aging and the Life Course.

Harrington Meyer has authored, co-authored and co-edited several critically acclaimed books on grandparenting, care work, gerontology challenges and gender inequality in old age. They include “Grandparenting Children with Disabilities” (2020), “Grandparenting in the United States” (2016) and “Gerontology: Changes, Challenges, and Solutions” (2016). Two other books were named winners of the Gerontological Society of America’s Kalish Book Award: “Grandmothers at Work: Juggling Families and Jobs” (2014) and “Market Friendly or Family Friendly? The State and Gender Inequality in Old Age” (2007). Her work appears in leading journals, including American Sociological Review, Journal of Health and Social Behavior, Gender & Society and Social Problems. Her research has been reported in The New York Times, NPR, U.S. News & World Report, The Boston Globe, San Francisco Chronicle, Christian Science Monitor and Los Angeles Times.

“Madonna constantly finds new areas to focus on and explore through her scholarship in sociology,” says Ritter. “Her unique way of identifying and framing social questions has produced important findings about major cultural shifts in society. Her dynamic work has greatly contributed to our understanding of the complex family dynamics of the 21st century.”

J. Michael Haynie

Haynie is and the . He is widely regarded as a leading scholar of innovation, entrepreneurial decision-making and business strategy. A former officer in the U.S. Air Force, Haynie founded ���ϲ�����’s (IVMF) in 2011 as the nation’s first interdisciplinary academic institute created to advance the policy, economic and wellness concerns of veterans and families. To date almost 200,000 veterans and military family members have benefited from the IVMF’s cost-free career preparation and business ownership programs, significantly advancing the University’s national reputation as a leader and innovator in non-traditional educational programming.

In 2013, Haynie’s advocacy on behalf of veterans with disabilities was the subject of a feature story on the CBS News program 60 Minutes, and in 2020 Time Magazine identified Haynie as one of 16 national leaders working to create a more equitable America. He has also served on multiple federal advisory boards and commissions and is frequently asked to provide expert testimony before Congress on issues related to small business and veterans. Most recently, Haynie was appointed to the Federal Veterans’ Advisory Committee on Education for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. In 2021, Haynie was awarded the Chancellor’s Medal for his leadership of the University’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and last year he represented ���ϲ����� on the statewide team that successfully courted Micron Technology to locate a new, $100 billion production facility in ���ϲ�����. Haynie now leads a program office coordinating the University’s engagement with the chip manufacturer.

“Mike is a visionary who is masterful at identifying significant societal needs and then applying entrepreneurial principals, policy development and leadership strategies to meet those needs,” says Ritter. “His innovative solutions, particularly in support of veterans and military families, have far-reaching impact, transforming lives and opening new opportunities for individuals and entire communities to thrive.”

Fewer than 20 individuals have been awarded University Professor recognition over the University’s nearly 153-year history. Currently, 10 other faculty hold the title. The designation is awarded by the Chancellor and Board of Trustees.

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 .

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 .

With both sectors preparing for significant recruitment and enrollment challenges, ���ϲ����� and the University of Tennessee co-hosted a first-of-its-kind, two-day summit to explore how higher education and the federal government could partner up to better support our nation’s service members.

Chancellor Kent Syverud

Held during the 50th anniversary of the end of the military draft and the birth of America’s all-volunteer force, “The All-Volunteer Force at 50: Higher Education and America’s Volunteer Military” summit saw more than two dozen university chancellors and presidents from across the country meet with senior government officials in the Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to address some of the most pressing challenges facing veterans and the long-term sustainability of an all-volunteer armed services.

“We can work together for the common good, and that’s special. We need to create clear pathways to opportunities for enlisted persons, and we need to tell their stories if we expect our enlisted service system to continue working. The pathways need to include much less siloed cooperation, moving back and forth between jobs, academia and the military to create those pathways,” told the summit attendees during his closing remarks.

More than two dozen university chancellors and presidents from across the country met with senior government officials in the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs to address some of the most pressing challenges facing veterans and the long-term sustainability of an all-volunteer armed services.

Seven Key Takeaways

Kori Schake, senior fellow and director of foreign and defense policy with the American Enterprise Institute, moderated the panel discussion “Where Do We Go From Here?” and summarized the key takeaways as the following:

• Understanding the difference between being veteran friendly (think social media posts touting the benefits of attending a university) and veteran ready (providing the resources, support and access to education that sets members of the military-connected community up for success).
• Improving higher education’s access to the DoD, including nearby military bases.
• Understanding how to navigate DoD bureaucracy, including communicating with military-connected individuals to ensure they understand the process and costs of earning a degree.
• Establishing VA pilot programs to see what’s working for veterans, and what support they need to succeed.
• Creating community for all veterans on campus.
• Reimagining education, military service and work as an ecosystem of exchange, including what the lifecycle in that ecosystem looks like for service members.
• Conveying student veteran best practices to the DoD and VA.

J. Michael Haynie

“How can we think differently about our relationship, and maybe explore opportunities to collaborate and partner moving forward? One of the drivers of volunteerism for military service today is service as a pathway to education. How can we make access to higher education easier, more accessible, more affordable, and by doing so, create more of a push to national service?” said , founder and executive director of the (IVMF).

An Obligation to Make Sure Veterans Reach Their Full Potential

Summit participants agreed that changes need to come, and soon, including altering the narrative around veterans who serve. Matt Amidon, senior advisor with the George W. Bush Institute, said young people view veterans as either heroes who deserve to be lauded or victims to feel sorry for, thanks to their depiction in films and television shows, instead of valued community members who just want to focus on their goals as civilians once they transition out of active duty.

Also, instead of viewing veterans as outsiders in society, University of Montana President Seth Bodnar, a U.S. Army veteran, pointed to the use of compelling storytelling to help spotlight how military-connected students can enhance a college campus.

“Let’s not ‘otherize’ our veterans by acting like they’re not part of our society. I get that military service is so concentrated, but our veterans are not a separate part of our society; they are an integral part, and we have an obligation to make sure every member of our veteran community can reach their unique, full potential,” Bodnar said during the panel, “Competition vs. Collaboration: Common Challenges Make Us Better Together.”

A different mentality is needed too, when it comes to recruiting the next class of veterans to higher education.

“Instead of competing, maybe we can think about innovative ways to collaborate and to partner to the betterment of both institutions,” said Haynie.

Eliminating Barriers to Higher Education

Each year, more than 200,000 military members make the transition from active duty to civilian life, with 74% of that population pursuing a higher education degree once their service has ended.

But only 60% of veterans take advantage of their post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, while 19% of veterans won’t use their benefits because they think it’s too difficult to navigate through higher education or they don’t have enough knowledge about their benefits.

“How can everyone who has served and earned that right, which they’re entitled to, take advantage of their benefits? This is part of paying and rewarding those who made the sacrifice with their hard-earned benefits,” said Joseph Garcia, executive director of education service in the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Ashish S. Vazirani, the Department of Defense’s deputy undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, delivered the keynote address at the summit.

There are currently 2.3 million active and reserve service members in the U.S., and 75% of enlistees come from military legacy families, meaning their decision to serve was inspired by someone they know who had a history of service, said Ashish S. Vazirani, the DoD’s deputy undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness who delivered the keynote address.

“Younger Americans are not exposed to the unique and compelling stories of service and the pathways to education offered by service. The military embraces most of the values these young people seek in life and in a career,” Vazirani said.

“We’re Going to Work Forward, Together”

As the summit drew to a close, there was a sense of optimism that the core principles addressed during the two-day gathering would lead to momentum and sustained change moving forward.

“I’ve been to ���ϲ����� three times before [to discuss this topic] and up until this visit, the conversation was always linear and one-way,” said Brent Orrell, senior fellow with the American Enterprise Institute. “But today we had productive conversations that were not linear but an ecosphere of exchanges between the institutions. Each of these institutions are working to progress toward the same ends of creating a stronger America.”

“This summit was never intended to be a one and done. It was intended to be a call to action on a critical problem facing our military and our country. We’re going to work forward, together,” added Chancellor Syverud.

Demonstrating its across the nation and making good on its promise to be the , ���ϲ����� will co-host a first-of-its-kind summit addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing veterans and the long-term sustainability of an all-volunteer armed services.

Hosted collaboratively by ���ϲ����� and the University of Tennessee, the summit is being held during the 50th anniversary of the end of the military draft and the birth of America’s all-volunteer force—and at a time when both the military and higher education face significant challenges, including recruitment and enrollment, respectively.

The summit, titled “The All-Volunteer Force at 50: Higher Education and America’s Volunteer Military,” will be held Wednesday, April 19, and Thursday, April 20, at the , home to the (IVMF) and the (OVMA).

The two universities, both leaders on issues impacting military-connected students, will welcome more than two dozen collegiate presidents and chancellors, as well as senior government leaders and private sector partners, to campus to discuss how institutions of higher education and government can enhance collaboration and introduce innovative partnerships positioned to bolster access to in-service and post-service educational opportunities for military-connected learners.

“���ϲ�����’s commitment to veterans, military-connected students and their families has long been woven into the fabric of this institution,” says Chancellor Kent Syverud. “That commitment dates back as far as World War I in the early years of ROTC programs, and continued in 1944 when former Chancellor William Tolley assisted with drafting the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act, now known as the G.I. Bill, This summit as an extension of this commitment, and an opportunity to work with our peer institutions to find solutions to the challenges ahead. Our goal must always be to create and empower and ensure opportunities for the military community.”

Highlights of the summit will be keynote addresses delivered by several renowned military and military-connected leaders, including award-winning journalist, director and best-selling author Sebastian Junger and senior officials from the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs.

The summit will also offer facilitated breakout discussions around such themes as building a continuum of human capital, empowering military-connected populations in higher education, and the workforce of the future.

Thursday’s session will begin with a fireside chat, “All-Volunteer Force at 50: Past, Present and Future,” featuring , University Professor and Phanstiel Chair in Leadership in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, and Bernard D. Rostker G’66, G’70, senior fellow with the RAND Corporation. Additional discussion topics include the implications of the impending ‘’ on both the volunteer military and higher education and also a conversation focused on the role of education in preparing individuals and communities for the workforce of the future.

The April 19-20 convening will set the conditions for actionable next steps and subsequent engagement between higher education and the federal government, positioned to advance educational opportunities for veterans and military-connected students.

“We are at a moment in our nation’s history when both colleges and universities, as well as the American’s volunteer military force, shared challenges,” says Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation J. Michael Haynie, founder and executive director of the IVMF, who wrote on this topic in a . “It is imperative to have thoughtful dialogue about what’s at stake so that we can begin to identify real solutions that will collectively benefit the next generation of Americans motivated to both learn and serve; institutions of higher learning; and the safety and security of our nation.”

Under Chancellor Syverud, veteran and military-connected enrollment has increased at ���ϲ����� over 500% since 2014. The IVMF, which has served over 192,000 service members, veterans and military family members worldwide since its founding in 2011, includes a , a trusted national resource working to advance the policy and practice of supporting veterans and their families.

Additionally, the University’s OVMA is home to one of the longest-running Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) programs in the nation, the Office of Veteran Success and other support programs for veterans.

About ���ϲ�����

���ϲ����� is a private research university that advances knowledge across disciplines to drive breakthrough discoveries and breakout leadership. Our collection of 13 schools and colleges with over 200 customizable majors close the gap between education and action, so students can take on the world. In and beyond the classroom, we connect people, perspectives and practices to solve interconnected challenges with interdisciplinary approaches. Together, we’re a powerful community that moves ideas, individuals and impact beyond what’s possible.

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.

Key takeaways:

• There are over 350,000 Black and African American active duty and select reserve members
• Over 2.4 million Black and African American veterans in the U.S
  • Of all Post-9/11 veterans, 17% are Black and African American (this is higher compared to the 13% of the nonveteran counterparts)
• 89% of respondents said joining the military was a good decision; however:
  • 56% had considered “racial/ethnic discrimination” in their decision-making process, and 53% had “concerns about safety regarding base/ installation preferences due to my (or my family member’s) racial/ethnic identity
• 93% of respondents felt pride in their accomplishments during service; however:
  • 45% believe their racial/ethnic identity hurt their ability to get ahead at work
• 59% of Black and African American veteran respondents characterized their employment transition as difficult or very difficult
• For more data on the above and numbers regarding employment, entrepreneurship, and education, please

, IVMF’s Director of Applied Research and Analytics, is the author of this data brief and is available for interviews upon request. She has been featured on , , , , and more. Please reach out to Vanessa Marquette, Media Relations Specialist, at if you’d like to schedule a time to speak with her.

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.

��Kenneth J. Marfilius, DSW, LCSW

Kenneth J. Marfilius, DSW, LCSW, assistant dean of online and distance education and associate teaching professor of social work at Falk College, spoke to why ���ϲ����� is ranked so high on the list. “Here at ���ϲ�����, we are committed to distinguishing ���ϲ����� as the premier university for veterans, military-connected students, and families. We have a National Veterans Resource Center that cultivates and leads innovative academic, government, and community collaborations. This serves as the center of Veteran life on the campus of ���ϲ�����, the local community, and across the Central New York region.”

As an R1 research institute, it should come as no surprise that ���ϲ����� is a source for groundbreaking research across the vast array of disciplines available throughout its 13 schools and colleges. To conduct quality research, it can be a challenge to obtain the required funding. Surveys, focus groups, experiments, interviews and even observations require expenses, and that is before there is an attempt to publish the research and present it at conferences.

“The field of veterans studies crosses many disciplines and modes of inquiry, and this is certainly reflected in our five inaugural recipients,” says Nick Armstrong G’08, G’14, IVMF managing director for research and data. “The generous support provided by the Rostkers exemplifies what makes ���ϲ����� best-in-class and best for veterans—it provides rising scholars the resources and flexibility to pursue distinctive excellence, while at the same time addressing some of the leading challenges facing the veteran community.”

The funding, provided by Bernard G’66, G’70 and Louise Rostker G’68 through the , did not come with the typical restrictions due in part because of the personal experiences the couple went through in pursuing their own advanced degrees. The Rostkers have spent years dedicating time in support of military families. Bernard is a veteran of the U.S. Army and later served as a senior executive in the Department of Defense and Louise devoted herself to her lifetime career in social work, having a history of supporting education for military children and expanding employment opportunities for military spouses.

The combined total of $50,000 in funding will be dispersed between five recipients this year, each of whom have a research topic focused on the military-connected community. The five recipients for the 2022 fellowship are:

Mariah Brennen
Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs

Brennan’s research interests include population health disparities and veterans’ health. She joined the D’Aniello Institute as a doctoral student researcher in 2019 and works in the research and evaluation division. The objective of her dissertation, titled “Post-9/11 Female Veterans: Health and Employment During Reintegration,” aims to describe gender differences in veteran health care and employment needs during the reintegration process. It will examine health and employment outcomes, reintegration stressors and social supports among veterans who recently separated from the military.

Adam Cucchiara
Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs

Cucchiara’s research interests are in the fields of veterans’ affairs, law enforcement and policing and national security. He is a U.S. Army Veteran whose dissertation, “Essays on Military Veterans in Law Enforcement,” examines the influence of military veterans on law enforcement, specifically regarding use of force.

Cucchiara seeks to address the knowledge gap surrounding veteran performance by examining the influence of military service on individual police officers’ propensity to use lethal and non-lethal force. Cucchiara will join the Department of Social Sciences at the United States Military Academy at West Point upon completion of his studies at ���ϲ�����.

Jacob DeBlois
Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics

DeBlois’ research interests focus on the contribution of occupational stressors to the risk of cardiovascular disease. The topic first caught his attention during his undergraduate studies after working on projects funded by the Department of Homeland Security investigating firefighting tactics and the impact of those tactics on physiological outcomes.

His dissertation, “The Occupational, Psychosocial, Biobehavioral and Physiological Determinants of Hypertension Risk Among Military Service Members,” seeks to explore the impact of occupational stressors on hypertension risk among a nationally representative sample of service members to determine if those with military combat exposure, injury or trauma and prolonged overseas deployments have higher blood pressure or physician diagnosed hypertension that hose without similar experiences.

Kyle Leister
Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics

Leister’s research interests are focused on improving quality of care for amputees. Leister is a certified orthotist/prosthetist and has over seven years of practice and continues to treat patients in the clinical setting on a part-time basis. His dissertation, “Development and Cross Validation of a Prediction Equation for Estimating Step Count in Individuals With Transtibial Amputation,” seeks to develop and cross validate two equations to estimate daily step count based on two common clinical-based functional outcome measures and one patient-reported outcome measure.

Rachel Linsner
Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics

Linsner’s research interests focus on military families, specifically within child and family policies. She first started with the D’Aniello Institute in 2015 as a student researcher and is now a full-time research associate working in the research and evaluation division. Her dissertation, “Military Spouse Employment Status: Implications for Attitudes Toward the Military, Individual, Well-Being and Family Functioning,” will examine the relationships between military spouse employment status, attitudes towards the military, individual well-being and family functioning.

About ���ϲ�����

���ϲ����� is a private research university that advances knowledge across disciplines to drive breakthrough discoveries and breakout leadership. Our collection of 13 schools and colleges with over 200 customizable majors closes the gap between education and action, so students can take on the world. In and beyond the classroom, we connect people, perspectives and practices to solve interconnected challenges with interdisciplinary approaches. Together, we’re a powerful community that moves ideas, individuals and impact beyond what’s possible.

About Forever Orange: The Campaign for ���ϲ�����

Orange isn’t just our color. It’s our promise to leave the world better than we found it. Forever Orange: The Campaign for ���ϲ����� is poised to do just that. Fueled by more than 150 years of fearless firsts, together we can enhance academic excellence, transform the student experience and expand unique opportunities for learning and growth. Forever Orange endeavors to raise $1.5 billion in philanthropic support, inspire 125,000 individual donors to participate in the campaign, and actively engage one in five alumni in the life of the University. Now is the time to show the world what Orange can do. Visit to learn more.

The award includes a $1,000 cash prize and a publication contract with ���ϲ����� Uni­versity Press. Manuscripts of high merit not selected for the final award may receive honorable mention.

The Veterans Writing Award was established in 2019 to recognize the contributions of veterans to the literary arts, shine a light on the multivalent veteran experience and provide a platform for unrecognized military writers.

Unpublished, full-length manuscripts are accepted for consideration. This biennial contest alternates between fiction and nonfiction each award cycle, with the 2023 award open to memoirs, nonfiction essays and creative nonfiction.

The award is open to U.S. veter­ans and active-duty personnel in any branch of the U.S. military and their immediate fam­ily members. This includes spouses, domestic partners, siblings, parents and children. Women veteran writers, veterans of color, Native American veterans, LGBTQ veterans and those who identify as having a disability are encouraged to submit.

Although work submitted for the contest need not be about direct military experience, original voices and fresh perspectives are sought that will expand and challenge readers’ understanding of the lives of veterans and their families. Posthumous submissions are eligible.

Finalists will be read by writer, activist and veteran of the United States Marine Corps and the winning entry will be announced in November of 2023.

Complete rules and submission guidelines can be found on the .

The Hall of Languages illuminated with green light in observance of Veterans Day

Coyne addresses participants of the 2022 Veterans Day 5K Walk/Run at the starting line.

The official observance of Veterans Day for the University community started early in the morning, long before sunrise, with the 2022 Veterans Day 5K Walk/Run coordinated by the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). Prior to the start of the run, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Matthew Coyne, professor of military science and the detachment commander for the University’s Army ROTC program, welcomed participants and gave a brief speech to remind those in attendance what the day was about.

“We’re here to honor our veterans and their families that have made the extreme sacrifices day in and day out to protect the freedoms we enjoy here in America, and protect the American way of life,” Coyne said. “It’s only fitting we are doing so at a place that has an extremely storied history of supporting our military and our veterans.”

The course began on the Einhorn Family Walk in front of Schine Student Center and ended at Hendricks Chapel after looping around the North Campus. Participants came from the University’s Army and Air Force ROTC detachments, members of its Veterans Affinity Group and supporters from the local community. Chancellor Syverud also ran with students and guests and has noted this is one of his favorite annual traditions on campus.

Veterans Day Ceremony at the National Veterans Resource Center��at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building (NVRC)��

The community gathered later for the official Veterans Day Ceremony held in the NVRC’s K.G. Tan Auditorium. The ceremony opened with Kari MicKinkle ’11, G’20, a Marine Corps veteran who works in the Office of Veterans Success as a school certifying official, who served as the emcee for the ceremony which featured multiple guest speakers. The Rev. Brian Konkol, dean of Hendricks Chapel, gave the invocation and benediction. Musical performances were also featured by the University Singers and the 198th Army Band from Fort Drum in nearby Watertown, New York.

The arrival of the official party for the 2022 Veterans Day Ceremony. From left: Lt. Col. Dwayne Murray (U.S. Army, retired), deputy director of the OVMA; Anthony Ruscitto ’22, president of the Student Veterans Organization; the Rev. Brian Konkol, dean of Hendricks Chapel; J. Michael Haynie, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation; Chancellor Kent Syverud; Rear Adm. Danelle Barrett (U.S. Navy, retired); and Kari MicKinkle ’11, G’20.

Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Dwayne Murray ’97, OVMA deputy director and president of the University’s Veterans Affinity Group, gave an overview of the history of Veterans Day. “���ϲ����� has over 250 veteran and military-connected employees. Within this group are faculty and staff who have served in every conflict since the Korean War, as well as families of service members who are currently deployed,” said Murray. “As we celebrate Veterans Day, let us come together as a community to support and celebrate ���ϲ�����’s veterans and military-connected employees.”

Tony Ruscitto, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and graduate student enrolled in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, spoke about the University’s history with the military and his own experiences on campus since the University made the commitment to become the “Best Place for Veterans.”

“In the spring of 2019, after meeting with Dr. [Michael] Haynie, the OVMA and others, it became apparent that college after the Marines was within my grasp through the support and encouragement that was available for veterans at ���ϲ�����,” said Ruscitto, who also serves as president of the Student Veterans Organization. “While I can’t speak about other colleges or universities, what I can say is here you are presented with the tools, resources and the often necessary ‘push’ to make that transition happen and ensure it sticks.”

Chancellor Kent Syverud was also on hand to speak about the University’s continued commitment to the military community and introduced the keynote speaker, retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Danelle Barrett G’04.

Rear Admiral Danelle Barrett (U.S. Navy, retired) speaks about delivering the oath of office during her speech at the 2022 Veterans Day Ceremony.

Barrett spoke in detail about veterans being the silent partners alongside the military within today’s military-civilian divide, addressing the impact they often have in their local communities after they leave military service.

“They’re leaders, and they continue to have a spirit of volunteerism—serving something greater than themselves in whatever they do because of that,” Barrett said. “Many apply the skills and experience they developed in the military to a life of service here at home. They take on roles in their communities as doctors and police officers, engineers, entrepreneurs, mothers, fathers. As a grateful nation, it’s our task to make that transition possible, to ensure that our transitioning veterans and those who have long since transitioned can share the opportunities that they have given so much to defend.”

A reception followed the ceremony in the NVRC’s Bisignano Grand Hall, offering the chance for veterans of all eras, military family members, and service members who are currently in the military to come together and share their experiences with one another. The idea of past generations of service members handing down their knowledge and experiences is a hallmark of today’s military community, and one of the reasons why the NVRC was built to serve as a front door for all things military-related on campus.

Stars and Stripes Tailgate and Military Appreciation Game

The following day featured the Military Appreciation Game as the men’s football team took on Florida State in the JMA Wireless Dome. While the game ended in a disappointing loss for ���ϲ�����, it did feature special recognition for the military-connected community with military-themed uniforms and special in-game recognitions, like a for U.S. Navy Rear Admiral John Okon, who grew up in nearby Camillus and fondly remembers working for ���ϲ����� parking cars.

Rear Admiral John Okon (U.S. Navy) (third from right) accepts a game football as the Hometown Hero at the Nov. 12 football game vs. Florida State.

Prior to the game, the OVMA hosted its 8th annual Stars and Stripes Tailgate event, a free, invite-only pre-game party for service members, veterans and their families from the region. More than 450 people signed up for the celebration, which was hosted at the John A. Lally Athletics Complex and featured raffle prizes, an appearance from Otto and free tickets to the game along with provided transportation to and from the JMA Dome.

Junior Military College Visit

Throughout the festivities, the University hosted a contingent of future military leaders, some of whom may attend ���ϲ����� to finish their education after their time at one of four military junior colleges across the country. The cadets toured campus and attended information sessions at several of the University’s schools and colleges, giving them a brief glimpse of life in ���ϲ����� with a visit off campus to see the local community.

Allison Short, a sophomore at Valley Forge Military College, spoke highly about the access she and the other cadets were given while visiting the campus over the weekend. “I really enjoyed going to the major schools like Falk and Newhouse, we got an overview of their biggest programs,” said Short. “I also really liked having a lot of the lieutenants who had already commissioned and been through the military colleges, like we have, and being able to sit down and talk to them to get an honest opinion about their experiences.”

Members of the Student Veterans Organization executive board pose for a photo with Otto during the Stars and Stripes Tailgate.

IVMF personnel were on hand to receive the Non-Profit Leadership Award by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce at the 12th Annual Lee Anderson Hiring our Heroes Awards Gala. From left are Nicholas Armstrong, IVMF managing director of research and data; J. Michael Haynie, IVMF founder and executive director; and Barb Carson, IVMF’s managing director of programs and services.

The D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) was honored with the Non-Profit Leadership Award by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce at the 12th Annual Lee Anderson Hiring our Heroes Awards Gala last week in Washington, D.C.

The prestigious award is presented to a nonprofit organization with a demonstrated commitment to supporting veteran and military spouse employment and economic opportunity. Hiring Our Heroes is a nationwide initiative of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to help veterans, transitioning service members, military spouses and caregivers find meaningful employment.

“I’m honored to accept this award on behalf of the IVMF, and most importantly on behalf of the dedicated individuals who make up the D’Aniello Institute team. I could not be prouder of the committed and talented team who work hard every day to set the conditions necessary for our service members, veterans and military families to thrive across all dimensions of their post-service lives,” said J. Michael Haynie, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation and founder and executive director of the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families. “The IVMF and the U.S. Chamber’s Hire Our Heroes program share a common purpose and common values, and I look forward to our continued partnership. I’m deeply grateful to them and to all our strategic partners, for their steadfast support of the IVMF mission and those we serve.”

In addition, at a separate Washington, D.C., event, Haynie, along with Nick Armstrong G’08, G’14, IVMF’s managing director of research and data, were both individually recognized for their inclusion on the HillVets100 list.

The HillVets100 is an annual listing of the nation’s most influential veterans, service members and veteran-community advocates, representing the best of the best in the veteran community. HillVets is a community of veterans, service members and their supporters interested in governance, international affairs, policy and politics. They strive to open doors for their members and to provide them with contacts, education and resources to continue positive career progression. While Haynie and Armstrong were both added to the list in 2020, this year was the first time HillVets was able to safely host the awards gala since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Haynie, a U.S. Air Force veteran, is a prominent voice in the veteran community; he created the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities program in 2006, which provides free training to injured veterans who have recently become, or intend to become, entrepreneurs. In 2011, the IVMF was created under his leadership, and the organization has seen steady growth in both capabilities and impact ever since.

Haynie frequently appears before Congress to testify on policy issues impacting veterans. He has also spearheaded transformation and reform within the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs and the U.S. Department of Labor after being selected two times by the Obama administration to chair federal advisory commissions on the topic.

Armstrong, a U.S. Army veteran, arrived at ���ϲ����� to earn a Ph.D. from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. An alumnus of both ���ϲ����� and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Armstrong directs the IVMF’s broad portfolio of social science and policy research, program evaluation, and data analytics initiatives.

Under his leadership, the IVMF was responsible for more than 30% of the externally sponsored research and programmatic funding generated by ���ϲ�����’s academic enterprise in 2019. He also co-led the development and launch of the Veterans Program for Politics and Civic Engagement in partnership with the Maxwell School, a newer program designed to create pathways for veterans seeking a career in public service or elected offices.

From left, J. Michael Haynie, Patricia Mautino and Steve Barnes during a ceremony to launch the Civilian Service Wall of Honor

Three alumni were honored for their support of and commitment to veterans as the first members of the Civilian Service Wall of Honor within the at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building.

The honorees—Patricia Mautino ’64, G’66, vice chair of the Board of Trustees; Steve Barnes ’82, H’19, chairman emeritus of the Board of Trustees; and Tom Foley G’81—were inaugurated at a recent ceremony.

The Civilian Service Wall of Honor recognizes those non-veteran, civilian members of the University community who have committed to sustained and meaningful action to advance opportunity and prosperity for the nation’s veterans and their families.

In 1973, the U.S. military eliminated the draft and adopted an all-volunteer model of military service. One of the foundational assumptions of all-volunteer military is that those who benefit from the military service of others incur a moral obligation. Specifically, a moral obligation to act to ensure that when it is time for our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines to take off the uniform, the civilian services and resources are in place to support veterans as they transition back to the communities they call home.

This same assumption also motivates ���ϲ�����’s commitment to the nation’s veterans and the military-connected community, and it is why this month the Civilian Service Wall of Honor was launched.

“The Civilian Service Wall of Honor will forever recognize those non-veteran members of our university community who have committed to meaningful action that provides prosperity for our nation’s military families,” said J. Michael Haynie, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation and founder and executive director of the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF).

Haynie recognized the honorees for their work and leadership in support of veterans.

“Pat’s drive and her deep commitment for this University and its rich history of supporting the military-connected, along with her continuous efforts to champion our student veterans, is the reason we are celebrating her today,” Haynie said.

Haynie also noted the support of Barnes and Foley in helping to establish the IVMF and other veteran initiatives at the University.

“Without the early partnership and friendship of both Tom and Steve, the IVMF’s first program, Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans, the IVMF itself, the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs and the new National Veterans Resource Center would not exist. Their leadership and support of the University’s efforts to be the best place for veterans is instrumental in our success,” Haynie said. “More importantly, their commitment to the almost 200,000 service members, veterans and families who have been trained and educated, and are now thriving because of our work is critical to a successful post-service life.”

The discussion on art, identity and conflict in writing is taking place during National Veterans and Military Families Month. Featured international veteran authors included Phil Klay, Dewaine Farria, Brian O’Hare and Thomas Bardenwerper. Kicia Sears, IVMF Evaluation Associate and former adjunct faculty member in ���ϲ�����’s Department of Writing Studies, Rhetoric, and Composition, will facilitate the discussion. 2021 Veterans Writing Award winner Brian O’Hare will also provide a reading from his new short story collection, “.”�� Those interested in attending should register via email to libevent@syr.edu. A short reception and author book signing will take place following the reading and panel discussion.

About the veteran writers:

Phil Klay is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. His short story collection “ won the 2014 National Book Award for Fiction and the National Book Critics’ Circle John Leonard Prize for best debut work in any genre. His essay collection, “,” was released in May of 2022.

Dewaine Farria served in Jordan and Ukraine as a Marine. Besides his stint in the military, Farria spent most of his professional life working for the United Nations, with assignments in the North Caucasus, Kenya, Somalia and Occupied Palestine. Farria’s writing has appeared in Literary Hub, the New York Times, Rumpus and the Southern Humanities Review. His novel ” was the winner of the inaugural Veterans Writing Prize.

Brian O’Hare is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and former U.S. Marine Corps officer. Currently, he’s an award-winning writer and filmmaker living in Los Angeles. O’Hare’s work has appeared in War, Literature and the Arts, Santa Fe Writers Project and Hobart, and has been nominated for two Pushcart Prizes. He is the author of ““, winner of the 2021 Veterans Writing Award.

Thomas “Buddy” Bardenwerper served five years in the Coast Guard. Thanks to the GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon Program, Bardenwerper graduated last spring with a joint degree from Harvard Law School and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. He is a staff attorney for the Florida Supreme Court and the author of “,” 2019 Veterans Writing Award Honorable Mention.

���ϲ����� Press, in cooperation with the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF), established the Veterans Writing Award in 2019. The mission of the Veterans Writing Award is to recognize the contributions of veterans to the literary arts, shine a light on the multivalent veteran experience and provide a platform for unrecognized military writers. For more information, visit the . To ensure accessibility, CART and ASL services will be provided for this event.

Kathryn Warren and John Nipper, right, are pictured with the Hon. Donald M. Remy, deputy secretary of veterans affairs.

The application process for the Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program is competitive and rigorous. The program attracts industry leaders from across the country invested in improving military transitions and outcomes for veterans and families. As veterans, both Nipper and Warren personally understand the challenges that arise during the transition out of military service. Nipper, a Navy veteran, was looking to leverage his military experience into something meaningful in the field of international relations. That pursuit is what brought him to ���ϲ����� in the first place. From here, he connected with other Veteran Leadership Program alumni in many places who all encouraged him to apply.

“Being part of the Student Veterans Association at ���ϲ�����, you have to pick where your time and attention goes, because there are so many clubs and opportunities on campus. I’ve had a few years of trying to figure out the best ways to network, and the student veteran portion is pretty significant,” says Nipper. “The Bush Institute’s whole program is about veterans, and ���ϲ����� is very intertwined with all of that. This opportunity feels like running downhill with being plugged in with so many veteran service organizations.”

Warren, a Marine veteran, has counseled transitioning service members for more than five years through IVMF’s O2O program. She didn’t want to let her Marine Corps service define her, then found herself continuing to fall back on military experiences after leaving service. Even with an executive MBA from Pepperdine University, she felt a loss of identity and purpose that many veterans experience in the traditional workforce. Her experiences have driven her to make it that much easier, especially for her fellow women veterans, going forward.

“I’ll be eternally grateful for (IVMF Chief Operating Officer) Maureen Casey and her flat-out encouragement for me to pursue this program. She completely gets it and serves the military community through her work at the IVMF,” says Warren. “Sometimes, seeing another woman mentor makes all the difference in the world. It makes me want to do even more.”

Now in its fourth cohort, the Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program is designed for rising veteran and civilian leaders who work with veterans and their families across the country. Program participants gather in person once a month over five modules conducted at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas and in Washington, D.C. They meet with distinguished professionals, nationally recognized for their expertise in veteran transition and leadership development. For example, the IVMF contributes subject matter experts to the program including Nick Armstrong, IVMF’s managing director of research and data, to share insights. The IVMF has also been fortunate to send representatives to all four Veteran Leadership Program cohorts.

The business and community leaders in each cohort have opportunities to broaden their skillsets, knowledge and influence. They develop a personal leadership project over the course of their five-month program and share with their peers as a capstone presentation. The idea is for everybody to implement lessons learned from the program into their professional practices and improve outcomes in various ways.

Warren’s project is researching ways to get more women veterans into STEM fields. She’s already been able to apply some of the knowledge she learned from the Veterans Leadership Program to her IVMF work with O2O participants. For example, she encourages them to find strong mentors and to understand they don’t have to take the first job that comes to them.

“I can already talk about things that directly tie to military transition and give them more than they bargained for,” Warren says.

Nipper’s project is to enable more successful student veteran transitions into public service fields, specifically the intelligence community. He observed some room to improve veteran representation in the Intelligence Community Centers for Academic Excellence program, and sees untapped opportunities on all sides.

“A lot of student veterans are extremely capable and want to continue a career, and don’t know they can do this,” he says. “We’re already oriented toward public service, and it’s good for the country to have good people to fill the ranks.”

When they finish in October, Warren and Nipper will join a network of 126 alumni from three cohorts who have gone before them who are all working to improve outcomes in a range of sectors across the country.

“It’s opened doors and opportunities and ways of looking at things that I hadn’t thought before. I’m exposed to new avenues and careers, then you meet people who can mentor you in various ways,” says Nipper.

“I’m so grateful to be part of this team and part of this organization that I believe will stand the test of time when it comes to making impacts for the military community,” says Warren.

Hoping to address the topic of veteran suicide prevention, the ���ϲ����� VA Medical Center and ���ϲ�����’s presents a first-of-its-kind SPEd talk on suicide prevention and education. The discussion starts at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 28 at the on campus at 101 Waverly Ave.

During this storytelling event, guest speakers will share their stories of impact, encouragement and hope with the audience. The goal? To educate, destigmatize and shine a light on the mental health issues that contribute to veteran suicides.��The event will also examine the mental health challenges and resources available to veterans, as well as the benefits of asking for help.

For more information, contact Bryan Asher with the VA or call 315.425.3478.

Parking is free and open to the public at the ���ϲ����� VA Medical Center’s garage, located at 800 Irving Ave.

The evening will begin at 5 p.m. with a reception in the Grand Hall and Terrace, featuring remarks by , vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation, and , vice president for diversity and inclusion. Following the reception, attendees will move to the K.G. Tan Auditorium for an introduction to the Mississippi Delta by English Professor and the screening of the documentary. Cheng will host a Q&A session for attendees after the film viewing.

A special screening of Samantha Cheng’s documentary “Honor and Duty: The Mississippi Delta Chinese” will be hosted on campus on Sept. 16.

Cheng’s documentary tells the story of the Chinese who were recruited to work in the Mississippi Delta after the Civil War. It explores how the community steadily grew in the early part of the 20th century, as Chinese families across the Delta opened grocery stores that served both the black and white populations. Despite the Chinese Exclusion Acts (1882-1943), which barred both immigration and citizenship for Chinese, more than 22,000 Chinese and Chinese Americans served in WWII. Among the Mississippi Delta Chinese, 132 served in the Army, 24 in the Air Force, 19 in the Navy and two in the Marines. These unsung heroes discuss their lives before, during and after the war.

Cheng’s documentary led to her authoring the��, which finally honored the veterans in late 2020. She is now working on the Chinese American WWII Veterans Online Resource and Archive, which began this year. This is a comprehensive four-year project funded by a division within the National Archives and Records Administration.

The project is identifying and validating the service records of the over 22,000 Chinese and Chinese Americans who served on behalf of the five branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and the U.S. Merchant Marine Corps during WWII. It is one of the largest grants using public funds to preserve Chinese American contributions to U.S. history.

Cheng comes to ���ϲ����� at the invitation of , who teaches Asian Americans and the Law at the College of Law. Szto and Cheng were childhood friends in the Chinese American church in New York City that Szto’s father founded, but were only reunited this year after losing touch for several decades.

According to Szto, Cheng’s work in telling the story of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) veterans dovetails with the groundbreaking research on current in their transition from service to civilian life. Szto says these stories and research are critical to addressing current anti-Asian and other racial violence in the U.S., and growing global tensions.

Co-sponsors for the film screening include the ;��;��;��;��; ; Asian American Pacific Islander Faculty and Staff Association; Asian Pacific American Law Students Association; Latinx Faculty and Staff Affinity Group; and the .

“I would recommend ���ϲ����� to any veteran,” says Nuber, who earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

Nuber’s Orange journey starts back in Sylvan Beach, New York, when he had the realization that he wanted to pursue a different career path than his peers.

Inspired by his time in the U.S. Marines, Jordan Nuber ’19 earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations from the Maxwell School.

“I enlisted in the Marine Corps when I was 18. So right out of high school, I did four years enlisted active duty as a data systems administrator,” Nuber says.

His time as a Marine gave Nuber an appreciation for communications on a global scale, so once he was done with active duty, Nuber decided to enhance his understanding of global communications issues. Maxwell was the perfect choice, as it was both close to Nuber’s home and offered a chance to build upon the lessons learned in the Marines.

“It helped me put into context what the military was doing as a whole and kind of gain some worldly perspectives, which contextualized a lot of my service,” Nuber says.

Going back to school certainly came with its challenges, but four years of military service helped with the adjustment.

“It helped me take things as seriously as possible and really dive into all the opportunities that were available,” says Nuber.

Two Maxwell classes in particular had a profound impact on Nuber: Globalization in the Information Age, which served as a compliment to the work he had done with the Marines; and Russian History, which covered World War I to the Cold War.

“At the time it was just so interesting to learn about how their society had developed, and now today with what is happening in Ukraine, I understand a lot of that context on a deeper level,” Nuber says.

Many of Nuber’s friends on campus were fellow veterans, which “was easy to make friends (on campus) because the veteran community here is so robust,” says Nuber.

Among the highlights from his days on the Hill: networking with professionals in the international affairs profession, going on career-focused trips and spending time with others in the military, especially through programs and events in the National Veterans Resource Center at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building.

“The resources available to military-connected students, and all students, really set ���ϲ����� apart. They make the world your oyster,” says Nuber, who still bleeds Orange.

Thanks in part to his time at ���ϲ�����, Nuber is both excited to stay connected to his alma mater, and to hopefully introduce other military-connected individuals to the University. Nuber believes the streamlined services offered through the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs make for one of the smoothest experiences a veteran or service member could experience when going back to pursue a degree.

Nuber’s time in Okinawa is just beginning. He hopes to develop into the best platoon commander possible over the next three years, and is looking forward to continuing to learn from the other Marines around him.��When his time in Okinawa is finished, Nuber, who will have one year left on his post-9/11 GI Bill, is considering returning to ���ϲ����� to earn a master’s degree in information systems through the School of Information Studies.

“It is an amazing opportunity I have from the GI Bill, and ���ϲ����� is the place I want to take advantage of that opportunity,” Nuber says.

Graduates of the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy Fellowship Program recently celebrated earning their master’s degrees in instructional design, development and evaluation from the School of Education.

The students took part in the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy Fellowship Program and in partnership with ���ϲ�����, the fellows completed master’s degrees in instructional design, development and evaluation (IDDE) through the School of Education. Their graduation officially makes them part of our Orange family and marks the completion of the third annual cohort since the University became a partner.

The online master’s degree in IDDE consists of 30 graduate credits with the goal of developing expertise to design, create, implement and evaluate non-technology and technology-supported instructional solutions for a variety of educational and professional settings. Students participate in coursework areas such as principles of instruction and learning, techniques in educational evaluation, technologies for instructional settings and strategies in educational project management.

Most of the fellows will go on to design and instruct the academy’s Sergeants Major Course, which educates the military’s enlisted personnel to operate on all levels of leadership.

Graduate Spotlight: Sergeant Major (SGM) Justin Hood G’22

Growing up in a small town outside of Illinois leaves much to the imagination of a young boy. Influenced by his hardworking father, SGM Justin Hood wanted to pursue something that reflected the demanding work he watched growing up. At 16 years old he joined the Army National Guard’s split entry program and succeeded early on. After completing basic training, Hood decided to become active-duty and join the UH-60 Blackhawk unit. He quickly worked his way to flying commanding generals around in Germany in just four months, a brief amount of time compared to what it takes most to get to that position.

Justin Hood G’22 and Vice Chancellor Mike Haynie at Commencement back in May 2022.

While serving in Germany the unimaginable happened at home with the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Hood went from thinking he would never see combat to being on the front lines. After serving for over a year in the Middle East, he returned home and went to Fort Eustis, Virginia, to go back to school. While in Virginia he met his, wife who encouraged and inspired Hood to pursue a higher education degree. Hood was selected to become part of the Sergeants Major Academy, where he found a passion for education. “The fire was lit and I quickly understood and appreciated adult education and lifelong learning,” says Hood.

When first assigned, he was helping support the fellowship programs at the Academy and became intimately aware of the relationship being built with ���ϲ�����. Hood says, “I was there when the partnership was first started and was excited to see what that IDDE program was going to bring for my SGM fellows.” After seeing the program’s success, Hood enrolled himself. Within a week he knew he had made the right decision as he was exploring concepts he had never learned before and embracing the challenges that came with new learning.

Alongside his 14 other classmates, Hood was put into a small group tasked with developing a product to meet their learning objectives. “We pretty quickly learned each other’s strengths and weaknesses, which made the entire process easier,” says Hood. When meeting to work on their product, meetings would often run three to four hours because they would get so deep into discussion and finding the best way to move their product forward. Those meetings reinforced Hood’s feelings about being a lifelong learner as an adult, because of the experiences he shared with his peers.

Hood poses with loved ones during the graduation ceremony at Fort Bliss.

All students enrolled in the IDDE program at Fort Bliss are invited to attend Commencement at ���ϲ�����. Many are unable to attend due to conflicts, but Justin had the opportunity to come to campus and not only see his college for the first time but enjoy graduation alongside the rest of his ���ϲ����� family. On Aug. 22,�� Justin joined the rest of his cohort in Fort Bliss for a special graduation ceremony.

After graduation, Hood has his eyes set on continuing his education and starting his own business. Through what he has learned from his IDDE courses, Hood believes there are business areas open where he can capitalize on his new skill set and that there is room to still learn.

“I’d like to set up a consulting firm that aids military training and sales because I still have a lot of connections that call me for that advice,” he says. “I’ve been fortunate to study a lot, but there are still areas that require further exploration.”

Hood looks forward to learning more about the augmented reality space, finding ways to apply it to more aspects of life and potentially ways to improve its transferability through his IDDE skills.

Mayra Quintana (left) and Kamryn Olkowski interned for one month at the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families.

Kamryn Olkowski hails from Colorado Springs, Colorado, where prior to attending the USAFA she served as a signal intelligence analyst for the U.S. Air Force. She always knew she wanted to go to the academy growing up because she attended local sports camps and programs there. When she applied the first time, however, she was denied. With a no-quit attitude, Olkowski applied twice while serving active duty and was finally accepted to attend the USAFA. As a rising senior, Olkowski is a management major, which covers topics such as accounting, finances and marketing.

Mayra Quintana was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where a tough family life molded her into the person she is today. “My dad was arrested when I was 8 years old, and he’s been in prison for most of my childhood,” says Quintana. Her community is heavily impoverished and deals with constant violence and drugs. Quintana had her eyes set on college, and during junior ROTC in high school, she decided to apply to the USAFA and become a beacon of hope for others. Similarly, to Olkowski, Quintana is a rising senior also majoring in management and uses her experiences to speak with members of her community about the ways she has avoided becoming a statistic in her community.

Both cadets, as part of CSRP, gained insight on opportunities available to them in the workforce. Olkowski says, “When looking at what the IVMF was and the focus on entrepreneurship, as an aspiring entrepreneur I knew that it could provide me with some insight and maybe something that I could use in the future.” While cadet Quintana says she initially found out about VET-SIM (a project focused on helping student veterans navigate collegiate study), she thought this would give her the experience and opportunity to help others, specifically veterans, through research.

Quintana is looking forward to taking what she has learned under Linda R. Euto, associate director for research and evaluation at the IVMF, and Professor Benjamin Dotger, from the School of Education, and the project and implementing it at the academy. Quintana says, “Within each squadron [100 cadets] at the academy, there is an officer and enlisted member in charge of those cadets. Applying what VET-SIM is trying to accomplish can potentially close the gap between officers, who have much more training through the academy, and their enlisted peers who are working with students.”

Within entrepreneurship, Olkowski has been working on the community navigator pilot program (CNPP), which was awarded to the IVMF through a Small Business Administration grant. The CNPP program includes seven hub organizations, in this case one of them being the IVMF, at the center of a network of spoke organizations that engage trusted community advocates to support veteran small businesses. Olkowski says, “I have been analyzing what our hub at the IVMF does to coordinate with our 16 spokes. I am then comparing that to the other seven hubs and taking the best parts of what they are doing and coordinating with IVMF staff to implement them [the best parts] into our hub.” Through her analysis Olkowski has also been part of restructuring the community navigator website design, as well as creating a document explaining the project.

While the cadets spent most of their time working in their respective groups, they did have the opportunity to attend the Veteran Entrepreneur Success Summit in Washington, D.C., featuring members of the . They were able to make new connections with successful veteran business owners and learn about other segments of IVMF programming. Reflecting on the experience Quintana says, “Everyone was super genuine and supportive and giving us so much wisdom and knowledge. It was cool to be there and see successful people encouraging us to start our businesses and careers earlier than later.” Olkowski says, “We were nervous about it, we did not want to annoy all the people from their actual networking opportunities. But everyone was genuine about wanting to connect with us and talk with us.”

As both cadets enter their final years at the academy, they thought about what life might be like for them after they fulfill their military service. Olkowski says her hope is to one day open a consulting business for people who are dealing with death and navigating that process. She hopes that she can bridge the gap for folks struggling to balance the administrative nature of the task of dealing with death and the personal emotion that accompanies the process. Quintana is looking back on her community, and what it means to be a female minority in the military. She hopes that others will see what she has done and be inspired to follow in her footsteps making positive change in her community and others across the country.

Quintana and Olkowski shared their appreciation of the IVMF and what they learned in a short amount of time. Olkowski says, “After seeing the number of resources offered at the IVMF I am going share what I have learned with others facing the transition process. It is nice to have this resource in my back pocket for when I transition out as well.” Both women are excited to get back to the academy and share their experiences from the IVMF with other cadets.