Positive Military-Connected Student Experience Rooted in Community and Collaboration

Sharon Otasowie L’21 is a proud College of Law alumna. Her experience as an Air Force ROTC JAG (Judge Advocate General Corps) cadet at the University prepared her well for her first assignment as an Air Force JAG officer.

Sharon Otasowie

Now stationed at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico, Otasowie was born in Nigeria and raised in southern California. She appreciates how the College of Law was people-oriented and didn’t foster an overcompetitive culture.

“At Syracuse, everybody wanted to be there to help you,” she says. “Professors were so approachable and helpful, and I was getting the best I could to succeed.”

Otasowie was already heading for the College of Law before applying to the JAG program. As part of the application process, Otasowie was asked why she was sure she wanted to join the military. Even though she had family members in the Army and Navy, she only considered the Air Force and was drawn to all of it.

“When I looked into it, I could see the Air Force have a high standard for themselves,” she says. “It’s about our mission and making sure that our people are good. I really love helping people.”