For some college students, juggling classes, a social life and a job is challenging enough. As non-traditional students become more of a fixture on college campuses, more students are juggling marriage, children, mortgage payments, car payments and family medical appointments while pursuing their academic goals. Such is the reality for Syracuse University student veteran Caleb Holmes, a senior studying electrical engineering.
“I was previously enlisted in the Marine Corps where I was a helicopter mechanic,” says Holmes. “I loved being a Marine, I loved being a mechanic. I wasn’t ready for college coming out of high school.”
While touring Syracuse University, he had asked a question pertaining to his veteran status and living off-campus. Immediately, his tour guide stopped and informed Caleb about Syracuse’s veteran dedicated staff. The University has several people in admissions, career services and other departments focused exclusively on enrolling and supporting veterans.
“Every question I had, they had an answer right away. I was confused about how the G.I. Bill works and they explained that immediately. They explain everything to you, so it just really felt like they knew how to take care of us veterans,” Holmes says.