came to Syracuse University as a with an urgent purpose: to learn all she could about helping veterans return to civilian life and bring that knowledge home to war-torn Ukraine.

Pohorielova is an associate professor and head of the Department of Pedagogy, Foreign Philology and Translation at in , near the front lines of the Russia-Ukraine War. Her journey to Syracuse began after she heard a high-level Ukrainian official observe that is about to become a city of veterans.

The comment was a turning point. Pohorielova realized that, when the war ends, hundreds of thousands of veterans will need support transitioning to civilian life: finding jobs, housing and educational pathways and, hopefully, a society aware of and responsive to their unique psychological needs. Yet Pohorielova also knew her country was far from ready to provide that help. “I felt like I didn’t know anything about veterans. I had no clue. And I felt like other establishments weren’t ready for the influx of veterans, either,” she says.

The next day, she learned about the Fulbright Visiting Scholar program and applied. To her surprise, she became just the second person from her university to receive a Fulbright in 30 years.

Right Place, Right Time

The Fulbright program matches host institutions with a scholar’s research goals, making Syracuse University, with its emphasis on veterans, a natural fit. Pohorielova’s visit is being hosted through the (CHB), drawing on the expertise and engagement of the (IVMF), the (OVMA), the (SOE), and colleagues at the . Among those who facilitated Pohorielova’s residency was IVMF founder and University Chancellor-elect .

“[This] is one of the best places in the U.S. to observe veteran re-entry services. Practices here have been validated. We need to learn, borrow, start them and adjust American practices to existing Ukrainian realities,” Pohorielova says.

Since her arrival, Pohorielova has attended monthly CHB seminars, worked closely with faculty sponsors , professor of psychology and CHB director; and , SOE faculty director of online programs and strategic initiatives, associate teaching professor in the School of Social Work and CHB associate director. She also engaged with faculty, staff, doctoral students and researchers across campus.

“Their contribution to my research is incredible,” she says of her sponsors. The broader campus culture has been welcoming, too. “Every person I meet here is trying to support me and give me the information I need.”

Facilitating the Transition

Ukrainian soldiers face the same reintegration challenges as American veterans: psychological health risks, substance use, financial instability and difficulty transitioning back to civilian life. But for Ukrainian veterans who are returning to communities still under threat, with shattered economies and disrupted families, those risks may be even more acute, Pohorielova says.

Reintegrating also involves other obstacles, including funding, cultural resistance and a general distrust of mental health services, which is a legacy of Soviet-era political repression. Ukraine’s military culture, which prizes toughness and stigmatizes psychological struggles as weakness, presents another hurdle, Pohorielova says.

Pohorielova believes Ukrainian educational institutions can help facilitate veterans’ transition from military service to civilian life. At the same time, they can leverage veterans’ leadership, experience and a strong sense of purpose, qualities that can make them active contributors to postwar recovery efforts in Ukraine.

“Investing in veterans’ wellbeing, education and vocational pathways supports not only individual reintegration but also broader social and economic stability,” she says.

Insights from Pohorielova’s research at Syracuse form the basis of her recovery action plan, “Veteran Reintegration Ecosystem for Ukrainian Universities.” The scalable, locally grounded program can be implemented within existing institutions, she believes. The plan’s three pillars are institutional capacity and coordination; behavioral health and wellbeing; and workforce and economic integration.

Components include:

• Clear coordination and referral pathways to help veterans navigate academic and support services
• Faculty and staff training to strengthen the university’s ability to support veteran students
• Behavioral health awareness and referral pathways
• Flexible online and hybrid learning options
• Short-course retraining, microcredentials and entrepreneurship pathways aligned with workforce needs
• Structured employer and community partnerships to support job placement, entrepreneurship and business development

Pohorielova and her 13-year-old daughter, who came with her to the U.S. and attends school locally, have been here since February and will return to Ukraine this summer. By then, Pohorielova will be ready to present her fully developed framework to her university’s leadership as a ready-to-go strategy, and she hopes to see its immediate adoption.

Success would fulfill her dream of helping her country, her university and her community, and ensure that veterans will have proven systems in place to support their return.

“Following a dream is a good thing,” she says. “Once you succeed, you will get to a new level. That’s what happened to me. I didn’t expect it, but I’m very happy to be here.”

When Sgt. First Class Andrew Zellar began basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, on June 6, 2006, he thought he knew what his career in military service would look like.

Twenty years later, as he moves on from years as a military science instructor at Syracuse University and prepares to retire later this year from the New York Army National Guard, he reflects on a career that took unexpected turns and allowed him to impact hundreds of lives in ways he never imagined.

“The most unexpected part was the chance to have the assignment at ROTC. I had a vague understanding of what I would be doing, but my experience was a lot more rewarding than I expected,” Zellar says. “The thing I am most proud of is seeing past soldiers and cadets performing in the Army and in life.”

Zellar’s journey began like many of his generation, shaped by the events of Sept. 11, 2001. Fresh out of high school in 2004, the Cazenovia native wanted to serve, but his parents encouraged him to pursue college first.

After two years, the pull toward service won out. He enlisted in the Army National Guard as a military police officer, initially planning to combine service with the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC).

When plans to deploy overseas did not materialize, Zellar found himself in limbo—until an opportunity emerged that would define his career.

Finding His Calling in Recruiting

In 2007, during one of the most challenging periods for military recruiting, Zellar stepped into a role that would test every interpersonal skill he possessed. The economy was collapsing, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were intensifying, and the National Guard needed people who could connect with potential recruits and their families.

“Most people that join the military always have a desire to do it,” Zellar says. “It’s just that the opportunity to do it has to intersect with the motivation.”

He saw this firsthand at career fairs, where he met not teenagers but 25- and 30-year-old adults with impressive resumes who simply had no jobs. The 2008 economic crisis had created both challenges and opportunities for recruiting.

His approach was simple but demanding: show up.

“I probably failed more than I succeeded in a lot of things, but I would just show up,” he says. That first year, he worked every single day, meeting potential recruits whenever and wherever they needed—late nights, weekends, holidays.

His work in St. Lawrence County, located along New York’s northern border, juxtaposed recruiting Clarkson University, SUNY Potsdam, SUNY Canton and St. Lawrence University with the county’s rural residents.

One memory stands out in particular. Zellar visited a young man living in dire poverty—a home heated with wood pallets, with essentially nothing. “You need this. You got to get out of here,” he remembers thinking. The National Guard gave the young man a path forward.

The rural assignment taught Zellar invaluable lessons, sharpening his skills and deepening his understanding of how people struggle.

Preparing the Next Generation

In 2018, Zellar was chosen for a new role with the New York Army National Guard. He joined Syracuse University as a military science instructor with the Army ROTC program, a position that joined his recruiting expertise with a deeper mission of developing young leaders.

Over the next eight years, he worked with more than 325 cadets and contributed to the commissioning of 215 Army second lieutenants.

“The thing I’ll look back on and enjoy the most is watching them achieve what they’re capable of achieving,” Zellar says. He remembers helping a cadet, an Iraqi refugee, obtain her citizenship, presenting her with a pocket Constitution at the ceremony.

His teaching philosophy challenges students to expand their perspectives.

“Whatever news source you get, whatever stuff you like to read, read the opposite,” he tells first-year students. “Just for no other reason than to see something a little bit different.”

His advice extends beyond tactics and strategy. “Swing at the pitch. If you get an opportunity, you can strike out. I’ll deal with it. We will figure it out. But nothing’s worse than watching the pitch go by,” he says.

A Legacy Beyond the Uniform

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Zellar and his ROTC colleagues proved indispensable, running testing sites and helping keep the University operational. It exemplified what he values most about service: being there when it matters.

As Zellar retires from military service later this year, he leaves behind more than statistics. He leaves young officers commissioned and ready to lead, recruits who found purpose and opportunity, and countless individuals whose lives changed because one person was willing to show up every time, without fail.

As he moves forward, Zellar will continue to pursue his real estate career. And he is looking forward to spending more time on what matters most: his wife Gloriann, daughters Audrey and Gabriella, and son Andrew Jr.

The announced the hiring of Marine Corps veteran Justin Machain as the director of the (OVS), bringing to campus more than a decade of experience supporting student veterans and military-connected students in higher education.

The former director, retired U.S. Navy Senior Chief Keith Doss, entered retirement in early December after 35 years at Syracuse University. Doss began his career on campus in 1990, serving in various capacities around the university before joining the OVS in 2011, known as the Veterans Resource Center at the time. Doss steered the OVS through some of the most transformative years in the University’s recent history in supporting student veterans and military-connected students. He has been referred to by many student veterans over the years as a critical component to their success in higher education.

Machain, a native of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, comes to Syracuse from the University of Colorado where he served as the assistant registrar, which included the responsibility of being the lead school certifying official (SCO). SCOs are a vital component for military-connected students using their education benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Not only do they ensure all administrative requirements are met, they serve as a vital conduit of information between the VA and students.

“Playing a proactive role really helps offset any kind of financial or academic issues that may come up,” Machain says. “If student veterans inform the staff here of any issues or questions, we can get ahead of any potential problems and tackle any roadblocks before the veteran experiences any difficulties or disruptions with their benefits.”

Machain brings with him a wide variety of experience from institutions in higher education across the country. From Austin Peay State University in Tennessee, to his home state of Pennsylvania with Montgomery County Community College and Villanova University.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Kutztown University, and later, a master’s degree in political science from East Stroudsburg University.

“I started in higher education after I completed graduate school in 2012, and I’ve been in higher education ever since,” says Machain. “The majority of my job descriptions and duties have been working with student veterans, whether it be certifying benefits or running student veteran centers on campus.”

Machain  joined the Marine Corps in 1999 after graduating from high school. After four years of service, which included a deployment to Iraq in early 2003 with the 1^st Marine Division, he left the Corps and leveraged the education benefits of his G.I. Bill.

Aside from being closer to home, Machain says a big appeal for coming to Syracuse was the university’s reputation with veterans in higher education.

“It was just a great opportunity to finally transition to a school where veterans kind of took front seat,” says Machain. “The university treats veterans with the same priority most educational institutions treat student athletes, and it’s just great to be at a place that puts military-connected students at the forefront.”

The University has seen a 300% increase in veteran and military-connected enrollment since 2015, and in that time, the OVS has handled more than $156 million in VA education payments to the University. With more than 700 students typically requiring certification for VA benefits each semester, Machain enters an office that is critical to making the University the “Best Place for Veterans.”

“The expansion of professional staff that work with student veterans has definitely grown in spaces across higher education,” Machain says. “Since I started in higher ed, offices and personnel have expanded on college campuses for student veterans because the VA and state regulations can change so much. It takes much more time for the staff to be able to figure out the new guidelines and everything.”

As Machain settles into his new position, he says he wants veteran and military-connected students to be reminded of how crucial communication with the OVS is.

“You can only give out so much information,” he says. “Every student situation is different, so without them asking about their particular life circumstances, situations or things they are experiencing, we may not know how to best answer or help them through that. This office and these certifying officials do a great job of getting information out to students like I’ve never seen anywhere else, so they’re doing their part. It also falls on the student a little bit when they have an issue or situation to reach out, and I highly encourage them to do so.”

Students using their VA benefits at the University are highly encouraged to reach out to the OVS if they have any questions or concerns about their benefits. The OVS is located in Suite 012 on the bottom floor of the National Veterans Resource Center in the Dan and Gayle D’Aniello Building. Students are encouraged to contact the OVS via e-mail or by calling 315.443.0358.

When Chris Teodoro G’22 embarked on his Syracuse University journey after 24 years in the U.S. Army, he discovered what many transitioning veterans already know: asking for help doesn’t come naturally.

Thankfully, that provides customized support and explains the essential resources available to guide veterans and military-connected students on their journey to a college degree.

Now in its second year, the (OVMA) Resiliency Program (ORP)—a collaboration with and the (housed in the )—represents a new model of integrative support for veterans and military-connected students transitioning from active duty to pursuing a degree.

“There’s this belief among veterans that they don’t need to ask for help and can figure out the issues they’re dealing with. But student veterans need to know they don’t have to go through this transition alone, that there are lots of us who have transitioned and are more than willing to give back,” says Teodoro, who is currently pursuing a doctorate of professional studies in information management from the .

ORP staff employ a holistic perspective, combining academic, social, emotional and spiritual skills to provide a model approach for supporting veterans and military-connected students.

“Our mission is addressing the unique stressors that veterans and military-connected students face in higher education while promoting their resiliency, their academic and personal successes and the connectedness of our campus,” says , program director and faculty director of online programs and strategic initiatives in the School of Education. “We’re serving veterans in a comprehensive way.”

Targeting educational rather than clinical offerings, Marfilius says the ORP has helped connect veterans to housing and academic advising resources, developed impactful programs, built campus partnerships and engaged with faculty and staff to raise awareness about the unique needs of student veterans.

VITAL Program Bridges Gap Between Military and Academic Life

One of the program’s early successes is the Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership (VITAL) program, a partnership with the Syracuse Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center’s .

Working with the , veterans and military-connected students can receive direct access to mental health and wellness professionals while learning more about applicable VA programs and benefits, receiving advice and guidance as they transition from active duty into academic life.

“Transitioning from military service to civilian life can be overwhelming, and entering an academic environment adds another layer of complexity,” says Sonya Mangovski, Syracuse VA M2VA program manager. “VITAL bridges that gap, providing student veterans the support they need to thrive both academically and personally.”

During each semester, drop-in office hours for the VITAL program are held on the first floor of the National Veterans Resource Center at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building. Military-connected students can email the ORP for more information about upcoming office hours.

“This is valuable outreach and education, and we’re hoping to develop workshops and trainings around this effort,” Marfilius says. “This connection really strengthens the bridge between our campus and the VA, ensuring that no students fall through the cracks.”

Normalizing Help-Seeking Behaviors

The ORP gave Teodoro access to an academic advisor who knows first-hand what he’s going through: Marfilius, a U.S. Air Force veteran who served as a mental health provider as an active-duty officer.

As Teodoro works toward his second degree—he also earned a master of business administration degree from the —he is focusing on how special operations veterans like himself can successfully navigate their transition from active duty to civilian life.

“The support from the military-connected community at Syracuse has been outstanding,” says Teodoro, who lives in Tampa Bay, Florida. “I am involved in our military community here in Tampa and want to use the framework of my degree to make an impact for our transitioning veterans.”

By connecting the University’s academic departments with veterans’ services resources on campus and in the community, the ORP is providing a coordinated and informed approach while helping remove barriers to success for military-connected students.

“Making this program more visible and accessible helps us normalize help-seeking behaviors while building a stronger sense of community,” Marfilius says.

A significant expansion in structure, programming and community outreach  is paving the way for the (CHB) to help position Syracuse University as a national leader in research, education and practice.

An initiative of the (A&S), the and the (IVMF), CHB has a particular focus on the study and promotion of health, well-being and resilience among veterans and military-connected individuals.

Since launching its website and affiliate portal this past summer, have joined CHB—researchers, educators and clinical practitioners from across the University and from area health institutions. have been launched and the student research cohort has been formed.

CHB has hired a dedicated to support affiliate projects. It has also established a for staff who coordinate research initiatives and plans to implement student awards. Additional workshops and research showcases are scheduled for spring.

Building an Ecosystem

CHB is designed to advance translational health behavior research, education and training and provide a collaborative ecosystem for professionals working in the health behavior field, says , A&S professor of psychology, licensed clinical psychologist and CHB director.

Health behavior is a broad, interdisciplinary area that examines the many factors, choices and conditions that influence physical and mental health across the lifespan. The center’s purposeful cross-campus, cross-institutional structure makes it a hub for affiliates to share interests, findings and treatments and engage in academic and professional collaborations. Affiliates conduct basic laboratory studies, field research, clinical trials, digital health intervention work, qualitative studies and implement projects.

Veteran Focus

While CHB operates across a wide range of health behavior fields, a specialized focus on veterans and military-connected individuals complements the University’s commitment to that population, according to Ditre.

“Syracuse University has a national reputation as the best university for veterans and military-connected students. The University has worked with the Syracuse VA for about 30 years, beginning with faculty research collaborations and later expanding to co-mentored training and student placements. Building on that reputation and three decades of partnership, we should also strive to be the best place to learn how to serve veterans,” he says.

Veterans experience higher rates of suicide risk, trauma-related concerns, sleep problems, chronic health conditions and substance use compared to civilian peers. Many also face barriers tied to geography, stigma and complex transitions between military and civilian systems.

“These gaps have real consequences for individuals, families and communities. The University and this center, in collaboration with the IVMF, are uniquely positioned to address them,” Ditre says.

Digital Innovation

Digital innovation is a high priority because technologies like mobile devices, biometric monitoring and virtual reality help researchers collect real-time data from participants and capture their moment-to-moment experiences as well as indicators of health and behavior.

Affiliates have built mobile tools, tested them in trials and worked with community partners to implement check-in platforms and digital interventions that deliver guided exercises or personalized feedback.

“These tools let us reach people who may not engage with traditional services and connect with participants as they go about their daily routines or in settings where traditional care is harder to access. These technologies also help us understand behavior, tailor information to individual needs and deliver support in ways that fit people’s circumstances. For many of the populations we serve, this kind of flexibility is essential,” Ditre says.

Assuring health equity is another key focal point. That means designing studies and programs that are flexible, accessible and attentive to actual conditions and making sure that research benefits and outcomes reach the communities that need them most.

Grant and Award Applications

Application portals for the new pilot grant programs open Jan. 20, 2026, and close Feb. 12, 2026.

The supports cross-departmental and cross-campus projects with external institutional partners. The supports new or expanded Syracuse University and Veterans Affairs collaborations.

The grants range from $500 to $10,000 and the total pool of $50,000 is funded by A&S.

The funds give teams a way to test ideas, build a partnership or generate early data for larger external grant submissions. They also lower the barrier for new investigators who want to connect their work with campus priorities, according to Ditre.

Nominations for the , which cites excellence in research coordination work, are ongoing.

Future Activities

Future plans include more workshops with VA partners and collaboration with University Academic Affairs and the IVMF on a “Voices of Service” showcase where faculty, staff, students and community partners share veteran-focused research, courses and applied programs.

A neuroscience and health behavior research day, new working groups regarding sleep, substance use, trauma and digital health issues, awards for student work and additional community engagement activities are also planned.

The College of Professional Studies (CPS) plays in the University’s support for veterans and military-connected students, offering flexible degree pathways and innovative military credit evaluation.

As of the Fall 2025 semester, 19% of all currently serving military students attending Syracuse University are enrolled in CPS degree programs. Currently serving military students are service members on active duty, National Guard or reserve status.

This leadership is driven by the College of Professional Studies’ innovative and progressive work to standardize the University’s military credit evaluation, which evaluates military technical training and professional military education for academic credit.

“Bachelor of professional studies [BPS] degrees are designed specifically for individuals like currently serving members of the armed forces juggling service obligations and life responsibilities with their educational goals,” says Michael Frasciello, dean of the College of Professional Studies. “We offer an accessible combination of flexibility, applied and focused career preparation, progressive credit transfer [up to 90 credits], and recognition of military experience and training.”

Currently serving military students admitted to the College of Professional Studies’ BPS programs are being recommended and awarded an average of 30 equivalency credits for their military technical training and professional military education.

Diverse Support for Military-Connected Students

The College of Professional Studies supports 33% of all military-connected students at Syracuse University, including active duty, veterans and military dependents. Through its nationally recognized military advising model, CPS has achieved skyrocketing persistence and graduation rates.

Persistence Rate

• College of Professional Studies: 93%
• National average: 45%

Graduation Rate

• College of Professional Studies: 70%
• National average: 20%

“Our ability to successfully support one-third of the University’s military-connected students is only possible because of our advisors who are specifically trained to understand the unique challenges military-connected students face,” says Liz Green, executive director of the student experience for Online Student Success. “This success starts with a recognition that military-connected students are non-traditional, adult learners with distinct needs.”

The college provides holistic support that proactively addresses academic, administrative and military service-related challenges, such as deployment interruptions, VA benefits navigation, credit transfer from military training and work-life-study balance, in an integrated way.

Coupled with its national ranking as the among private universities, CPS is at the forefront of Syracuse University’s commitment to being the

To learn more about military-connected support, visit .

With New York’s prison guard strike leading to Governor Hochul deploying the National Guard and a tentative deal now in place, questions remain about the broader implications for incarcerated individuals, corrections policy, and labor rights. I have three Syracuse University experts listed below who can provide insights into the systemic factors behind the strike, the impact of National Guard activation on military families, and the labor dynamics at play. If you’d like to schedule an interview with any of them, please email Vanessa Marquette, media relations specialist, at vrmarque@syr.edu.

is an adjunct professor at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. She has conducted research on myriad topics and issues related to the criminal legal system. As the founder of the Center for Community Alternatives, she led efforts to develop alternative-to-incarceration programs and conducted influential research on the impact of criminal history screening in college admissions. She writes:

“The wildcat strike by prison guards spread quickly across the system, leaving incarcerated people without food, medicine and access to their families and loved ones.  Governor Hochul was forced to call in the national guard to take care of the basic necessities. Incarcerated persons have in fact welcomed the guard, finding them to be respectful and polite, with one person calling them ‘sweethearts.’

While working conditions inside prisons need to be improved, they are the pretextual for the walkout.  The strike began on February 17, a mere three days after the guards involved in the beating of Robert Brooks were indicted on murder. Moreover, second only to amnesty, the key demand made by the guards’ union is the suspension of the Halt Solitary Confinement law, action which can only be taken by the state legislature as part of their lawmaking function.”

is an assistant professor of management in Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Management with an expertise in labor and industrial relations. She wrote the following:

“This situation is really interesting as the Taylor Law restricts the ability of employees in critical positions such as prison guards to go on strike. The Taylor Law allows public employees to organize the join unions, and it requires public employers to negotiate with unions. It also established procedures for resolving contract disputes. However, the restriction of strikes has been seen as controversial. The penalties for going on strike are steep. 

The prison guards wouldn’t be the first public employee group to go on strike. In 1968, the United Federation of Teachers went on strike as did the Buffalo Teachers Federation in 2000. New York City Transit Authority went on strike in 1980 and 2005. While this is rare, it is not unheard of.”

is a military spouse and research associate at Syracuse University’s D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF). She can speak to the impacts on service members and families of the National Guard when instances like this happen. Specifically, she can go into detail about IVMF’s latest research report with Blue Star Families which states approximately 50% of surveyors said the amount of time away from family as a result of military service is a top concern for them, with military pay and impacts of deployment on family being the next top issues ().

Military spouses (of all branches but the Marines) are  for specific business expenses incurred during relocation to a new base. , senior advisor at Syracuse University’s D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) and , director of applied research at IVMF, shared their thoughts on this. Please see their comments below. If you’d like to schedule an interview with either of them, please reach out to Vanessa Marquette, media relations specialist, at vrmarque@syr.edu.

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.”

Not only does the saying “it takes a village” apply to raising children, but it also applies to supporting veterans and their families before, during and after their deployments. With Syracuse recognized as being a Best Place for Veterans, it comes as no surprise that staff members at the University have been recognized for supporting military members and their families.

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.

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

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 Syracuse University 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.”

The University continues its commitment to be the best university for veterans and military-connected students with the creation of four new scholarships for New York State Army and Air National Guard members of the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS).

Two “last dollar” scholarships will cover tuition expenses after a member uses all available tuition assistance (TA) funding each fiscal year, meaning there are no out-of-pocket tuition expenses between TA funding cycles. The scholarships apply to any Syracuse University online bachelor of professional studies degree in the and are open only to EANGUS members of the New York Army and Air National Guard (one scholarship for each service).

Two “full-tuition” scholarships cover all tuition expenses for any Syracuse University online undergraduate credit certificate (15 credits) in the College of Professional Studies. The scholarships are open to EANGUS members and their spouses of the New York Army and Air National Guard (one scholarship for each service).

“Our support of EANGUS and its New York state members is an extension of Syracuse University’s position as a national leader in supporting current and prior members and family members of the United States military,” says , dean of the College of Professional Studies. “These four scholarships dramatically expand access to Syracuse University for New York State Army and Air National Guard members who otherwise could not study with us full time on campus.”

The University’s enduring commitment to veteran and military-connected students dates back more than 100 years. Dedicated to being the and rated one of the best private schools for military-connected students, Syracuse is the only private university in the Northeast that offers online and residential part-time undergraduate study to active-duty military, guard and reservists at their respective tuition assistance rates beyond the member’s annual benefit.

“We are excited to partner with Syracuse University and proud to offer our NY Enlisted Association members these wonderful scholarships,” says James M. Hokkanen, vice president (air) of the New York Enlisted Association of the National Guard. “The Enlisted Association knows how impactful these scholarships will be to our members and their families.”

New York State Army and Air National Guard members and family members interested in the scholarships will complete a competitive application with EANGUS. Finalists will be forwarded to the University to determine admissibility into an online undergraduate degree or undergraduate certificate. The scholarships will be awarded each academic year, with the first four scholarships for the Fall 2023 semester.

“Syracuse University is excited to further its collaboration with the New York Air and Army National Guard,” says Liz Green, executive director of online student success and Syracuse University’s coordinator for New York Guard partnerships. “We’re committed to providing an unsurpassed academic experience for military-connected students, and these scholarships are a small but impactful way for us to extend that experience to Guard members in the state.”

Institutions of higher education like Syracuse University and the country’s military are both facing an approaching due in part to declining birth rates stemming from the 2008 economic recession.

With both sectors preparing for significant recruitment and enrollment challenges, Syracuse University 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.

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.

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.

“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.

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 Syracuse University 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.

The (OVMA) has opened the application window for six different financial scholarships for military-connected students at Syracuse. More than $15,000 is available for military-connected students enrolled during the Spring 2023 semester, with applications closing March 22.

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

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

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

Office of Veteran and Military Affairs Undergraduate Student Veteran Scholarship

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

Office of Veteran and Military Affairs Military Family Member Scholarship

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

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

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

Lucy and Joseph Napoli Veteran Endowed Scholarship

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

Louis A. and Patricia H. Mautino Veteran Endowed Scholarship

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

Richardson Family Scholarship for Military Family Members and Dependents

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

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

In summer 2021, the University’s Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA) announced the launch of , a mentoring platform powered by PeopleGrove that builds professional networks by connecting student veterans and alumni with career mentors in support of their career journey. OVMA Connect strives to offer practical and effective networking with the Syracuse University veteran and military-connected community. PeopleGrove expanded their capabilities beyond mentorship with the introduction of “higher education’s first career access platform,” which will offer an enhanced experience for all 300 OVMA Connect users and with an eye on increasing users.

OVMA Connect through the PeopleGrove platform offers a new way to match students and alumni with mentors based on their interests, career objectives and career exploration. OVMA believes that the best college experience is more than just getting a degree. Students and alumni alike should look beyond the classroom for areas of personal and professional development. OVMA Connect empowers student veterans to unlock social capital and learn from others who have been in their shoes through mentorship connections.

No matter the phase of their career, a mentoring program will help both students and alumni get through it. Users can get exposure to different industries and jobs, resume advice and hone their interview skills. Employers are looking for specific skills and experience on OVMA Connect that may open doors for students. There are also highly qualified alumni to provide informational interviews, job shadows, mock interviews, resume reviews and more to support users.

OVMA Connect’s unique access provided to alumni differentiates the platform. Whether a user is a recent graduate or lifetime member, the ability to connect and receive help is the same. The service will connect mentors and their mentees in an organized and managed way, allowing a virtual space for relationships to live and grow. Landing jobs can be hard, but a strong mentoring relationship on OVMA Connect can help.

During the onboarding or signup on OVMA Connect, the platform’s artificial intelligence suggests matches between students, alumni and mentors. This process allows students and alumni to highlight their interests and areas of strength. Through the platform, users can schedule mock interviews, network, have their resumes reviewed or they can find internships and full-time jobs. As users interact, they can receive and provide feedback. For example, on a post-mentoring engagement, one student stated, “[My mentor] posted excellent questions and listened politely to my responses. I would be happy to work with him in the future.” Mentees can also send emails directly to mentors requesting connections. The mentor of interest could be someone who shared similar educational experiences, holds a position of interest to the student or simply be someone who is kind enough to talk with you. In addition, the platform can be used as a great tool to track career trajectories as students, alumni and mentors engage with one another to create meaningful and impactful connections.

OVMA Connect continues to grow every week. It gives students access to opportunities and people that help them discover the right career and provides alumni with a chance to share advice and discover budding students. Membership is free for life and takes just two minutes by registering on the .