23 SUNY Institutions are Providing Paid Internships for SUNY Student Veterans to Encourage Military-Connected Individuals to Enroll and Succeed in College
From the State University of New York,
Alfred, NY – State University of New York Chancellor John B. King, Jr. today celebrated the start of the Veterans Enrollment and Support Internship Program during a visit to Alfred State College. The program was launched last November with funding to support paid internships for SUNY student veterans at 23 SUNY institutions.
Chancellor King met with Alfred State student veterans and student affairs staff to hear more about the veteran experience at the campus. At Alfred State, this year’s Veterans Enrollment and Support Intern will focus on recruitment and veteran engagement to help exhibit all the benefits of Alfred State’s hands-on learning programs.
Alfred State College has been recognized as a military friendly gold level school. The Veterans Advisory Committee, consisting of faculty and staff from around campus, guides veterans through the admissions and financial aid process and supports them throughout their time at ASC. The college has a Veterans Lounge and recognizes academic achievement of student veterans with induction into the SALUTE honor society.
“Our military-connected students are to be commended for their leadership, their strength, and dedication to their country. Veterans bring to our SUNY campuses unique and diverse life experiences that enrich our campus communities,” said SUNY Chancellor King. “We are proud to support Veterans Enrollment and Support Interns who can help their campuses to enhance their support for military-connected families and attract more students to earn their college degrees.”
Alfred State College President Steven A. Mauro said, “Our student veteran enrollment and support intern will bring great insight to our enrollment team as we interact with veterans that are pursuing educational opportunities. They will be able to provide recent firsthand experience and answer many of their questions based on their own experiences. We are proud of our student veterans on campus. Alfred State is especially well positioned to recruit, educate, and graduate veterans and are excited to be part of this SUNY initiative.”
The 23 SUNY campuses that are a part of the program include: SUNY Adirondack, Alfred State College, Binghamton University, University at Buffalo, Buffalo State University, SUNY Canton, SUNY Delhi, Dutchess Community College, Empire State University, SUNY Erie, Farmingdale State College, SUNY Fredonia, Hudson Valley Community College, Jefferson Community College, Monroe Community College, SUNY New Paltz, Niagara County Community College, SUNY Oneonta, Onondaga Community College, Rockland Community College, Stony Brook University, Suffolk Community College, and Westchester Community College.
Student interns are beginning to be hired in preparation for the Fall 2024 semester. Each student veteran will complete an internship with the admissions or enrollment management office on their campus, in collaboration with the campus veteran and military services coordinator, focused on increasing veterans’ enrollment and ensuring enrolled veterans are connected to additional support on campus.
In September of 2023, the SUNY Board of Trustees encouraged campuses to expand their focus on veterans for recruitment, outreach, pipeline programs, admissions, financial aid, scholarships, and support as part of SUNY’s commitment to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion.
SUNY educates over 6,000 military-connected students each year. Veterans, military personnel, and military-connected family members can apply to up to seven SUNY campuses for free, saving up to $350, throughout the year. Each SUNY campus has trained counselors who can assist veterans to get the most out of their GI Bill benefits.
