News

Jill Biden Asks Student Veterans to Take Active Roles in Their Communities at 2021 NATCON

A key opportunity for the student experience, Syracuse University student veterans attended the 13th annual Student Veterans of America (SVA) National Conference (NATCON) virtually on Feb. 19 and 20. The two-day event featured a keynote address by the first lady of the United States, Jill Biden, and several presentations and panel discussions by members of the University’s Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA) and the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF).

Divyne Hutchinson’s Dreams Are Taking Flight

Divyne Hutchinson ’24 has always wanted to fly. The ambitious first-year Syracuse University student has been fascinated by airplanes since she was a child, and after her uncle enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, she was inspired to pursue the same dream.

Syracuse ROTC Cadets Get First Opportunity to Attend Special Operations Civil Affairs Branch Assessment and Selection Course

Cadets in Syracuse University’s Army Reserve Officer Training Program became the first to ever attend and successfully complete the US Army Special Operations Civil Affairs Assessment and Selection Course (CAAS) in December 2020. Cadets Madeleine Gordon and Patrick Little have acted as a proof-of-concept and going forward the US Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School will now expand the opportunity to all ROTC programs starting in the summer.

Air Force Airman, Shaei Rodriguez, Finds Success in Taking Risks

Some people graduate from high school knowing exactly what they want to study in college. Others go straight into the workforce. For Shaei Rodriguez ’22, the path wasn’t so clear. He joined the United States Air Force after high school as a way to gain some wisdom and experience, and to help with the financial aspects of higher education.

School of Architecture Student, Aaron Cass, Talks Possibilities

As a mortarman with the U.S. Army, Aaron Cass ’21 knows a thing or two about camaraderie, which is why he was pleasantly surprised by the sense of teamwork he discovered while pursuing his degree in Syracuse University’s School of Architecture.

Applications Now Open for 2021 Tillman Scholars

The Pat Tillman Foundation (PTF) has opened the application process for the Tillman Scholar program. The program supports eligible military service members, veterans and spouses with academic scholarships, leadership development opportunities and a national network so they are empowered to make an impact in the fields of health care, public service, business, STEM, law, the humanities and education. The application to join the 2021 class of Tillman Scholars will remain open until Feb. 28.

Featured SU Alumni: Mary Spio

Mary Spio ‘98 was born and raised in Ghana. She moved to Syracuse when she was 16 years old. She graduated from Syracuse University with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering in 1998. Spio pursued a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science from Georgia Tech.

Announcing Student Veteran Undergraduate Internship Award

The Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA) Student Veteran Undergraduate Internship Award provides financial assistance to undergraduate student veterans at Syracuse University during the summer semester.

OVMA established the Internship Award to eliminate the financial barriers that impede student veterans from participating in internships.

Alumnus, John Gibson’s, Journey into a Combat Engineer’s Traumatic Memories Featured in Wordgathering

As a Marine combat engineer with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, John Gibson’s job was to identify improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and mines, place and clear obstacles, lay out concertina wire and build bunkers. This essential, physical and tactile combat zone work not only requires close attention to detail but also an understanding of how the lives of fellow servicemembers rely on your skill. The sights, sounds and intense memories of combat left a deep impression on Gibson ’20, one that he invites others to experience through his immersive art exhibition, “A Sapper’s Abyss.”