United States Army Sergeant First Class Rolando “Jun” Mari was born in the Philippines and calls Bel Air, Maryland home. Sergeant First Class Mari entered the U.S. Army in 2011, completing Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Jackson, SC, and became a 36 Bravo, Financial Management Technician.
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US Navy Veteran Azar Abdulkadir ’25 Gives Back to the Syracuse Community
Not long ago, Azar Abdulkadir ’25 was a student at Nottingham High School, receiving help with her homework and English at Syracuse’s Northside Learning Center. Now, several years later, the U.S. Navy veteran prioritizes giving back to the same community center that helped her get her start.
Continue ReadingMarriler Wilson G’25 – Learning the Craft of Diplomacy
“Girl, go join the military.”
That’s what Marriler Wilson G’25 told herself before enlisting in the Air National Guard after struggling in college. “I honestly had no direction of where I wanted to go in my life,” Wilson says. “I decided I wanted to do something bigger than myself.”
Continue ReadingUniversity Ranked No. 3 for Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans of Private Universities for Three Consecutive Years
Syracuse University ranks No. 3 in Best for Veterans for Online Bachelor’s Programs of private universities for three consecutive years, according to U.S. News and World Report’s 2025 Best Online Programs rankings.
Continue ReadingForged in Snow: How Syracuse ROTC Shaped a Career of Service in Madison Kaifas-Steiner
Growing up in Buffalo, Madison Kaifas-Steiner was no stranger to the bitter cold and snow-filled winters of Central New York. But when she joined Syracuse University’s cross-town Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program during her time at Le Moyne College, she discovered that Central New York winters hit differently—especially during outdoor field training.
Continue ReadingFrom Marine to Mentor: Jackson Capenos Champions Veteran Success at Syracuse University
For Jackson Capenos, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and the University’s newest school certifying official with the Office of Veteran Success, life has been a journey shaped by resilience, hard work and an unwavering commitment to service.
Continue ReadingBuilding Leaders in the Stalwart Tactical Athlete Center
Earning a commission in the U.S. Army is a challenging process. Among the many attributes necessary to become a commissioned officer, physical fitness is a key element that can make or break a candidate’s potential military career.
In 2019, the U.S. Army implemented a newer, more rigorous physical fitness test to evaluate a soldier’s potential for physical performance in combat. Named the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT), the new test required specific equipment and training space that many ROTC detachments across the nation simply did not have readily available.
Continue ReadingProfessor Kubala Named New York State Bar Association’s Veterans Advocate of the Year
Professor Beth Kubala has been selected as the recipient of the New York State Bar Association’s Judge Robert T. Russell Veterans Advocate Award. This award recognizes “an attorney who has positively impacted or provided exemplary services to current and retired members of the U.S. military in New York State.”
Continue ReadingTillman Scholar Zahra Johnson G’25 Interview
U.S. Army ROTC Cadet Zahra Johnson G’25, a graduate student with the College of Arts at Sciences at Syracuse University, speaks about her experience in being selected as a Tillman Scholar by the Pat Tillman Foundation.
Continue Reading2025 Tillman Scholar Applications Now Open
The Pat Tillman Foundation (PTF) has officially opened applications for 2025 Tillman Scholars! The PTF 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.
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