Student Veteran Wins Award for Women Who Excel Despite Adversity

Wayndisha Parker ’18CPS, a US Army veteran pursuing a degree in Homeland Security at St. John’s University, is a winner of the 2017 Women’s Forum Education Award, which recognizes the efforts of women who have overcome adversity to pursue their academic goals.

The Women’s Forum of New York established the award in 1987 to assist women who are 35 years and older as they pursue their college education despite financial and other difficulties. Recipients, known as Education Fund Fellows, receive a prize of $10,000 to spend on tuition, child care, transportation, and other education-related expenses.

Wayndisha is one of only 18 New York City women to receive this year’s award. The Women’s Forum formally recognized their achievement in a ceremony in September at the offices of Penguin Random House in Manhattan. Keith Cozine, Ph.D., an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, Legal Studies, and Homeland Security at St. John’s, represented the College of Professional Studies at the event.

“I was ecstatic to be there,” said Wayndisha. “I didn’t really expect to win the award. To me, my story didn’t seem so important, especially when there were so many inspiring women who were honored. It was wonderful to be among them.”

Wayndisha applied for the award last spring at the urging of Rosemary Hartofilis, an Academic Advisor in the College of Professional Studies who also teaches in the Homeland Security program. “I met her two years ago, and we just bonded,” said Ms. Hartofilis. “She’s a very passionate person, very determined to overcome any obstacles. She is an amazing example of success.”

Homeland Security attracts a large number of veteran students, Dr. Cozine noted. “It is a major that is closely related to their military experience—and their commitment to serving their country,” he said. “Wayndisha’s accomplishments reflect the high quality of many veterans in our program.”

Wayndisha entered the army in 2001. In addition to Korea and Fort Myer, VA, Wayndisha was deployed in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kuwait. Earning the rank of sergeant, she served as a Transportation Management Coordinator, responsible for choosing and scheduling transportation for equipment and personnel. “It taught me to be responsible and to always think outside the box,” she said.

When she is on campus, Wayndisha spends time at the Veterans Success Center. The center provides advisement, advocacy, career guidance, and other resources. “It’s good to have a place to be with other veterans,” she said. “It’s one of the opportunities that makes St. John’s a positive, friendly environment.”