Daniel J. Czajak Appointed Assistant Director for Student Veteran and Military Recruiting; Lauren Elizabeth Pyland Will Serve as Operations Coordinator
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (November 17, 2015) – Syracuse University is pleased to announce two recent personnel actions that signify the University’s continued commitment to serving college-bound veterans; expanding military recruitment; and developing educational programs and services for the veteran and military family community.
Daniel J. Czajak was recently hired as the Assistant Director of Admissions for Student Veteran and Military Recruiting. This role caters to the unique needs of prospective and incoming students from military backgrounds, including military family members. Czajak is charged with expanding recruitment efforts to boost veteran and military enrollment. A liaison to all colleges and academic programs, Czajak will serve as a marketing and communications adviser and contributor. He is also the dedicated admissions counselor for military-affiliated students.
Czajak, a Syracuse graduate, earned his bachelor’s degree in History and Psychology in 2004 and commissioned into the Air Force through the university’s ROTC program. Czajak began his active duty career as a management analyst and consultant determining manpower requirements. He later transferred to the Army and served as a staff officer for personnel management and administration. During that time, Czajak deployed to Iraq for a fifteen-month tour. More recently, he served in the Army Reserve, completing the Army’s chaplain training in 2013. He is in the final stages of completing a graduate theology degree from Saint Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore, MD.
Czajak assumed his role on Monday, August 31.
Lauren Elizabeth Pyland is the new Operations Coordinator in the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA). In this position, Pyland will address the growing needs of the veteran and military family community at Syracuse University.
Pyland is a Syracuse University graduate, receiving her Bachelor of Arts in History in 2012. She received her commission into the U.S. Army Reserves from Syracuse University Army ROTC.
“Lauren Pyland is the ideal selection for this position” states Ron Novack, executive director of the university’s Office of Veteran and Military Affairs. Being a Syracuse University, U.S. Army ROTC graduate, and from an Army Veteran family, she thoroughly understands veterans and military families from end to end as well as the Syracuse University campus.”
Pyland currently serves in the U.S. Army Reserves as a Disbursing Officer for the 374th Financial Management Support Unit. She possesses a thorough understanding of the unique needs of veterans, specifically in transition and higher education, and the ability to work collaboratively across the University, as well as leverage existing services to achieve end goals.
Pyland assumed her new role on Monday, November 2.
About Syracuse University’s Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA)
The Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA) serves as Syracuse University’s single point of entry for all veteran and military related programs and initiatives. It collaborates and coordinates with all stakeholders to best serve veterans, military connected students, and military family members who are students or employees at Syracuse University. For more information about the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs, visit https://veterans.syracuse.edu.