September 10, 2024
The unique needs of veterans turned college students was the focus of an afternoon seminar at St. John’s University’s Veterans Success Center on September 3.
Timed to coincide with the beginning of the Fall 2024 semester, the seminar paired newly enrolled veterans with returning student veterans eager to assist their fellow Johnnies in the transition to college life.
About 20 veterans from various branches of the US armed forces attended the event inside Marillac Hall. The afternoon began with a series of information sessions and continued with fellowship and a barbecue in the Marillac Hall Terrace.
“There can be a lot to navigate,” said Michael Hall, a former Senior Airman in the US Air Force now in his senior year at St. John’s. “Many students who go to college, maybe they went to high school with friends who know each other well. That is not always the case when you go to college after years in the military.”
“Even simple things like getting around can be a challenge,” added Jeffrey Rada, a former US Army Specialist now in his third year at St. John’s. “A college campus can be like a military base. Sometimes you need directions when you get here.”
The person responsible for providing direction—geographical and otherwise—to St. John’s veteran population is Karen Simons, Director, Office of Parent and Family Connections, who also supervises the Veterans Success Center. The center’s resources include career and financial services, housing assistance, academic advisement, tutoring, wellness and mental health counseling, and disability services.
“St. John’s University prioritizes our student veterans by providing dedicated resources like the Veterans Success Center that honors their military service by easing their transition to civilian life as they advance their academic pursuits,” Ms. Simons said. “Our student veterans add to our diverse student body and enhance the St. John’s community by bringing strong leadership skills and a dedication to community learned in their years of service.”
St. John’s is a US Department of Veterans Affairs-approved Post 9/11 GI Bill institution and participates in the Yellow Ribbon tuition assistance and academic support program. The University has been designated a military-friendly institution by VIQTORY, a Pennsylvania-based company that connects veterans with professional and educational opportunities.
All of the University’s resources and more were explained at the seminar. As of 2022, St. John’s enrolled 150 veterans who received about $3 million in University assistance.
Ashley T. Martino, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, served as a Staff Sergeant in the US Air Force from 1996 to 2000, during which time he was twice deployed to Kuwait.
Dr. Martino recalled the challenges he faced after his honorable discharge, including housing, which he said can be troublesome for members of the veteran population heading to college. Likewise, veterans are often older than many entering students and must balance their studies around family and professional responsibilities.
“If you go from high school directly to college, you can still live with your family,” Dr. Martino explained. “But when you get out of the military, you are likely not going to move back in with your parents. You are older and have just spent years living on your own.”
Disability resources, including assistive technology and testing accommodations, are available to all students, including veterans, who register with the Office of Disability Services. Accommodation is given for emotional, physical, and learning disabilities.
The challenge, according to Maria Pantoja, Director, Disability Services, is making sure students, especially veterans, are aware of the services and register accordingly. “Sometimes accommodations are the difference between passing and failing or being an A student instead of a B student,” Ms. Pantoja said.
Raising awareness of resources available to St. John’s veterans is what the seminar was all about. Among those in attendance was James Phinex, who served as a Petty Officer, Third Class, in the US Navy from 2016 to 2020. James chose St. John’s for his second master’s degree, in Theology, with the goal of becoming a pastor.
“When I applied to St. John’s, I made sure to educate myself on the services available and take advantage of them,” Mr. Phinex said. “Those conversations led to other conversations, which is very important.”
First-year student Shae Braithwaite, who served as a Petty Officer, First Class, in the US Navy from 2007 to 2016, spending most of that time deployed to the Middle East, hopes events such as the seminar inspire more veterans to connect and socialize on campus. “I’m already looking forward to the next event,” she said. “I’d love to connect with more members of the veteran community.”