Ronald Novack (Colonel, U.S. Army, Ret.)
Executive Director of Veteran and Military Affairs (jrnovack@syr.edu)
Ron Novack has served as the Executive Director for the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA) at Syracuse University since 2015. He leads a campus portfolio responsible for all programs and initiatives related to supporting the over 1,500 military-connected students, family members, and faculty and staff veteran workforce at the university.
Prior to his arrival at Syracuse University, Ron served 33 years on active duty in the United States Army – both as an enlisted soldier and officer – and retired as a Colonel in 2015. He served in the 101st Airborne Division, 82d Airborne Division, 10th Mountain Division, 3rd Infantry Division, and U.S. Special Operations Command (USASOC). Ron commanded an airborne supply company in the 82nd Airborne Division and a Supply and Services Troop in USASOC; an 850 soldier battalion in the 10th Mountain Division with a 15-month deployment during “The Surge” in Iraq; and a 3,000 soldier brigade in the 3rd Infantry Division with a nine-month deployment to Kandahar, Afghanistan. He has deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq five times.
Ron completed his undergraduate degree in Business Management from the University of Maryland. He also holds an MBA from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, an M.S. in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University in Washington, D.C., and an MPA from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University.
Dwayne Murray (Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, Ret.)
Deputy Director (dmurra06@syr.edu)
Dwayne Murray is a native New Yorker, from White Plains, NY. He enlisted in the Army out of the Syracuse Recruiting Battalion immediately after graduating from Syracuse University. Prior to returning to Syracuse University, Dwayne spent 25 years on active duty in the United States Army – both as an enlisted soldier and officer – and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2022. He served in the 1st Infantry Division, 7th Infantry Division, 18th Airborne Corps, 1st Corps, U.S. Army South (USARSO), U.S. Army Recruiting Command (USAREC), U.S. Cyber Command (CYBERCOM), U.S. Army Cadet Command (USACC) and the National Security Agency (NSA).
Dwayne’s command experience includes; 293rd Signal Company, Republic of Korea, I Corps Signal Detachment; JBLM, WA and the Ordnance Training Detachment, Fort Gordon, GA. He has deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Dwayne is a graduate of Syracuse University with degrees in Sociology and Information Studies. He earned a master’s degree in Management from the University of Phoenix; a graduate certification in Organizational Change in Higher Education and a Master’s in Higher Education Administration; both from the University of Louisville.
Mike Drum
Operations Manager (modrum@syr.edu)
Michael Drum currently serves the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA) as Operations Manager, where he manages day to day operations and supports the team’s operational, financial, and administrative needs at the National Veterans Resource Center (NVRC). In this role, Michael plans, organizes, and executes student-veteran events on campus, and assists multiple departments support veteran and military-connected students, veteran employees, initiatives, and programs.
Prior to joining the OVMA, Michael served Syracuse University’s D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) for over 6 and half years. Here he served as the National Program Coordinator for the Onward to Opportunity (O2O) career preparation and employment (industry certification and training) program. He provided administrative and communications support for the national leadership team as well as his nationally dispersed teammates situated at 19 DOD installations across the United States. Prior to this, Michael also served the IVMF as an Enrollment Services Coordinator, where he worked closely with active duty and transitioning service members, veterans, and their spouses.
Michael, a Syracuse, NY native, is a six-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, having left service with the rank of Sergeant and billet of Platoon Scout Leader in Echo Co, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance BN, 4th MAR DIV. During his time in uniform he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal, the Meritorious Mast Award/Citation, and the Meritorious Corporal Promotion Award to NCO. As an NCO and infantryman, Michael had the privilege of training and serving alongside his Marines and Sailors across the United States, as well as abroad in South Africa and the Kingdom of Morocco.
Michael holds a Bachelor’s degree in History from the State University of New York at Cortland and is currently pursuing his Executive Master’s in International Relations (EMIR) degree at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University.
Jennifer Pluta, G’15, GCDF, CMCS
Director of Veteran Career Services (jrpluta@syr.edu)
In her role as Director of Veteran Career Services at Syracuse University, Jennifer Pluta is responsible for managing the strategic, operational, budget, and personnel functions that support the career pathways of student veterans. As the Director, Pluta provides leadership and direction for comprehensive career services that directly support the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs’ mission and the commitment of Syracuse University to be the “The Best Place for Veterans ™.” In addition, Pluta manages and oversees student veterans’ success, graduate outcomes, career exploration, and employment pursuits; liaising between employers, University departments, students, and colleges; maintaining and developing new employer contacts and providing career expertise.
Prior to this role, Pluta served in several positions at Syracuse University Office of Career Services including overseeing the University’s internship program, and services as an Employer Relations Coordinator, Special Events Coordinator, and Mentorship Coordinator.
Pluta has over 20 years of experience working and leading initiatives in the career services and veteran spaces at the local, state, and national levels. Area of highlights include serving as the President of the Syracuse University Veteran Employee Affinity Group, CO-Lead National Association of Colleges Veteran Affinity Group, Chair of Syracuse University Career Services Network, and Chair Employer Relations Group. Finally, Pluta has presented at numerous conferences and has written original content for publication.
With over 24 years in the United States Army Reserve, Pluta currently serves as a First Sergeant for the 2nd/389th 3rd BDE 98th DIV. As the Company 1SG, Pluta oversees the training, readiness, and execution of all unit missions, ensuring soldiers are mentored and provided guidance and support in their professional growth and career advancement.
Pluta has served over 18 years as an Army Reserve Career Counselor (ARCC) for the Army Reserve Careers Group and as a Senior Army Reserve Career Counselor for the 76th ORC. In these roles, Pluta, led, managed, and evaluated personnel and programs; developed and directed reenlistment and transition programs; conducted conferences, trainings, seminars, inspections, and relationship management. Pluta enlisted in the US Army Reserve in 1999 attached to the 770th EN CO and deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom in ‘03- ‘04.
Pluta holds a B.A. in Sociology from Alfred University and an M.S. in Higher Education Administration from Syracuse University. She is a certified Master of Career Services, and Global Career Development Facilitator, and completed the National Career Development Association Career Development Facilitator Course.
Keith Doss (Senior Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Navy, Ret.)
Director Office of Veteran Success (OVS) (akdoss@syr.edu)
As the Director for the Office of Veteran Success, Keith Doss leads the OVS team in supporting student veterans and family members with the processing of their VA education benefits.
Prior to joining OVMA in 2018, Keith has been working for the university in various capacities since 1990 including as Assistant Director, Veterans Advisor, and Customer Service Manager.
Keith is a 26-year veteran of the United States Navy. He enlisted in 1986, transferred to the Navy Reserves in 1989 and officially retired in 2012. During his career, he held various leadership positions such as Rig Captain and Safety Officer during underway replenishment, Unit Senior Enlisted Advisor, Command Senior Enlisted Leader and Officer-in-Charge of the Cargo Afloat Rig Team (CART) unit.
He was mobilized and deployed to the Persian Gulf in February 2003 in support of operations Iraqi Freedom, Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom. Following the end of major combat operations, he was re-assigned to the Sea of Japan operating area in May of 2003.
Joseph Torok
Director of Information Technology (jitorok@syr.edu)
Torok serves as the Director of Information Technology, providing leadership, strategic planning and overall coordination of computing and information services to all entities of the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA) at Syracuse University. Working in conjunction with the University’s CIO Office and the University Technology Leadership Committee he leads both the IVMF and the OVMA in technology advancement, in support of Syracuse University’s long-standing commitment to veterans and their families.
Torok has over 20 years of experience in Information Technology, both in field and in management roles. Prior to joining the OVMA, Torok served as the Technology Program Director at Bryant & Stratton College where he was responsible for overseeing and future growth of four technology programs of study including Network Technology, Security Technology, Office Information Technology and Mobile Application Development. With his passion for technology and lifelong learning, he illustrates the connection between technology and entrepreneurial success as well as between technology and personal development. He is a strategic, analytical intellectual who encourages learning by doing, discerns whether those he supports comprehend the delivery of new and challenging information, and shows sensitivity to learning barriers and motivation triggers by using metaphors, examples, and analogies to clarify understanding and to make difficult concepts memorable.
Throughout his career, Torok has been a leader on many technology initiatives such as the design and implementation of a hands-on network/security student lab environment for 16 college campuses and presentations that include “The Hidden Dangers of Wireless Networks,” “Moodle in the Classroom” and “It Takes a Hacker to Catch a Hacker”.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology and a master’s degree in Networking and Network Security from Rochester Institute of Technology.
Stephanie Salanger
Director of Communications (ssalange@syr.edu)
Stephanie Salanger began as director of communications at Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA) in 2017, bringing with her more than 25 years of experience in advertising agency and corporate communications roles, covering integrated marketing, public relations, and media relations in a variety of business industries.
Salanger is responsible for driving the national strategy of the OVMA as well as enhancing the reputation of the Syracuse University brand with regards to its imperative of supporting military-connected audiences. She spearheads the communications and design team to deliver impactful messaging and reputation management for the 10 programs within the entrepreneurship, community engagement, education and research portfolio pillars of the OVMA.
Salanger previously held senior-level communications roles at Eric Mower and Associates, Time Warner Cable and Charter Communications. She helped with the development and execution of Time Warner Cable’s national Connect a Million Minds STEM Initiative – a national program challenging parents, mentors, students and employers to increase involvement in after-school STEM-related activities. Her STEM in Sports initiative and STEM Regional Science Festival received telecommunications industry Beacon Awards in 2014 and 2015 and she was awarded several Public Relations Society of America and American Advertising Federation awards for her community engagement, publicity and marketing efforts on behalf of a variety of former clients.
Tina Kapral
Director of Development (tkapral@syr.edu)
Tina Kapral is the Director of Development for the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs. In this role, she is responsible for the advancement and development of relationships with government, corporations, foundations, nonprofit sectors, and individuals who have an interest in supporting Syracuse University’s commitment to the military and veteran community. Prior to this role, she served as the Senior Director of Education Programs for the Entrepreneurship and Small Business portfolio at the Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF). In this role she was charged with launching and overseeing a broad portfolio of entrepreneurship programs that reached 70,000 military connected individuals and projects that advanced and promoted veteran entrepreneurship nationwide through research, resources, and training and program development.
Kapral received her Master’s in Public Administration from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University and holds a Bachelor of Professional Studies, C.A.S., in Conflict Resolution and Nonprofit Management from the PARCC Institute, Syracuse University and a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management from Le Moyne College.