We are excited to announce the 10-year anniversary of the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA)! For a decade, OVMA has been dedicated to supporting and empowering our veteran and military-connected students. We invite you to join us in commemorating this significant milestone throughout 2024-2025.

Syracuse University has a long history of serving veterans and military-connected students, dating back to World War I and the post-World War II era when we welcomed home thousands of veterans through the G.I. Bill. The establishment of the OVMA in 2014 marked a significant milestone solidifying the commitment to this community and embedding it intrinsically into the culture of the campus. Our mission remains steadfast: to be the university’s central hub for all veteran and military-connected students, programs, and initiatives

Committed to being the “Best Place for Veterans™,” OVMA has achieved remarkable milestones, including:
  • Simplified Admissions Process: Streamlining the application process and waiving application fees for veteran and military-connected students, increasing enrollment by 300% over ten years.
  • Creation of Robust Support Systems: Establishing tailored support services to address the unique needs of veteran and military-connected students.
  • Innovative Career Services: Developing innovative, career programming that has led to a 100% placement rate for student veterans.
  • Community Building: Fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment through various initiatives and affinity groups.
  • Partnerships and Collaborations: Building strong relationships with campus and community partners, employers, and organizations to expand opportunities for our students.
  • Scholarship Programs: Securing significant funding for scholarships, ensuring that financial barriers do not hinder educational pursuits.
  • Recognition and Awards: Consistently ranked annually in the Top 10 Military Times Best Colleges for Vets ranking.

A Decade of Dedication

For over a decade, the Office of Veterans and Military Affairs (OVMA) has been dedicated to supporting the educational and personal growth of our veterans and military-affiliated students.

As we celebrate these accomplishments, we remain committed to building on this foundation of success. With your continued support, we look forward to another decade of empowering and uplifting our veteran and military-affiliated students. Join us in commemorating our journey and envisioning a brighter future for our community. With your help, we can continue this vital work for another ten years and beyond.

$391K increase in giving from 2022 to 2023.

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There are six videos in this playlist.

Explore our journey and see why Syracuse University stands as a leader in veteran support.

This collection of videos highlights our commitment to veterans, showcasing Syracuse University’s unique
resources and historical dedication to those who have served. From the WWII era to today, discover why Syracuse is the best place for veterans and how we continue to open doors for America’s heroes.

OVMA’s Accomplishments

FINALCIAL SUPPORT AND SCHOLARSHIPS

  • $135M+ in VA education payments facilitated since 2015.
  • $22M+ in Yellow Ribbon scholarships awarded.
  • $391K in scholarships for 41 military-connected students in 2022-2023.
  • $31K in emergency funding provided in 2022-2023.

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS

  • 400+ undergraduate student veterans graduated since 2014.
  • 570+ military-connected undergraduates graduated since 2014.

ROTC & ECP EXCELLENCE

  • 240+ Army cadets commissioned since 2014.
  • 89 Air Force cadets commissioned since 2014.
  • Highest enrollment of Army Early Commissioning Program (ECP) students in the nation over the last 20 years.

COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT PROGRAMS

  • Office of Veteran Success
  • Vet-Success on Campus
  • OVMA Resiliency Program

VETERAN CAREER SERVICES

  • 100% job placement rate for undergraduate student veterans for over six years.
  • 160+ unique career services events since 2015.
  • 15 exclusive employer networking receptions.
  • $100,000 internship awards.

NATIONAL RECOGNITION

  • Consistently ranked among the top universities for veterans.
  • Notable alumni:
    Col (Ret.) Eileen Collins ’78
    SGT William Shemin ’1924.
Last week's Student Veteran Networking Night, sponsored by @visionsfcu, was a huge success! Thank you to the companies that supported our student veterans, helping them build valuable connections and gain career insights. Your dedication to our student veteran community is truly appreciated!

Last week’s Student Veteran Networking Night, sponsored by @visionsfcu, was a huge success! Thank you to the companies that supported our student veterans, helping them build valuable connections and gain career insights. Your dedication to our student veteran community is truly appreciated!

Gold Star Mothers and Families carry the legacy of their fallen loved ones, ensuring that their service and sacrifice are never forgotten. On this day, we stand with you, remembering and honoring the lives that were given for our freedom.

Gold Star Mothers and Families carry the legacy of their fallen loved ones, ensuring that their service and sacrifice are never forgotten. On this day, we stand with you, remembering and honoring the lives that were given for our freedom.

Congrats to tonight's Hometown Hero - @USArmy Sergeant and Syracuse ROTC Cadet Zahra Johnson! 🇺🇸Born in Afghanistan, Zahra Johnson's journey took her from Kabul to the U.S. Army, where she enlisted in 2021 as a CBRN Specialist. Now, she’s pursuing a master’s at @SyracuseU and will commission as an officer in 2025. She’s also a 2024 Tillman Scholar! We’re proud to honor you, Zahra, and excited for all you’ll accomplish!🔗 Read more with the link in our bio. @armyrotc_syracuse | @armyrotc

Congrats to tonight’s Hometown Hero – @USArmy Sergeant and Syracuse ROTC Cadet Zahra Johnson! 🇺🇸

Born in Afghanistan, Zahra Johnson’s journey took her from Kabul to the U.S. Army, where she enlisted in 2021 as a CBRN Specialist. Now, she’s pursuing a master’s at @SyracuseU and will commission as an officer in 2025. She’s also a 2024 Tillman Scholar!

We’re proud to honor you, Zahra, and excited for all you’ll accomplish!

🔗 Read more with the link in our bio.

@armyrotc_syracuse | @armyrotc

Syracuse University Office of Veteran and Military Affairs
Syracuse University Office of Veteran and Military Affairs️ 3 days ago

Last week’s Student Veteran Networking Night, sponsored by Visions Federal Credit Union, was a huge success! Thank you to the companies that supported our student veterans, helping them build valuable connections and gain career insights. Your dedication to our student veteran community is truly appreciated!

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Syracuse University Office of Veteran and Military Affairs
Syracuse University Office of Veteran and Military Affairs️ 5 days ago

Gold Star Mothers and Families carry the legacy of their fallen loved ones, ensuring that their service and sacrifice are never forgotten. On this day, we stand with you, remembering and honoring the lives that were given for our freedom.

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Syracuse University Office of Veteran and Military Affairs
Syracuse University Office of Veteran and Military Affairs️ 6 days ago

Congratulations to tonight’s Hometown Hero U.S. Army Sergeant, Syracuse ROTC Cadet Zahra Johnson! Born in Daykundi, Afghanistan, in 1994, Zahra fled to Iran with her family due to conflict. She later returned to Afghanistan, completed high school in Kabul, and earned a Shelby Davis scholarship to attend United World Colleges in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Zahra continued her studies in the U.S., enlisting in the Army in 2021 as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Specialist. She was stationed at Fort Drum, NY, before being selected for the Army ROTC Green to Gold program in 2023. Now pursuing a master’s in biomedical forensic science at Syracuse University, Zahra will be commissioned as an officer in 2025. She was recently named a 2024 Tillman Scholar by the Pat Tillman Foundation. We are proud to honor you as our Hometown Hero and look forward to seeing all you accomplish in the future. https://veterans.syr.edu/news/hometown-hero-zahra-johnson/ U.S. Army Cadet Command (ROTC) | Syracuse Army ROTC

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