É«ÀÇÉçÇø

É«ÀÇÉçÇø ranks as one of the top veteran-friendly college campuses in the country and #2 in New Jersey, according to website College Factual and its ranking of 2020 Best Colleges for Veterans. The honor puts É«ÀÇÉçÇø in the top five percent of all schools in the state for veteran friendliness, a position it has held for two straight years. The Military Services Office at É«ÀÇÉçÇø specializes in providing resources to all military-affiliated students, which includes active, veteran, retired, reservists, National Guard, ROTC, and their dependents. Currently, 580 students are associated with the Military Services Office and rely on the expertise of dedicated staff members. 

Beth Sosnoski, Military Services Coordinator and School Certifying Official, works with students to provide them with support to success. Beth says, “ We are honored to support military-affiliated students. We serve as a middleman by connecting students with their military benefits, as well as offer additional resources and opportunities for educational and career growth.” 

While assisting students in creating goals consistent with their values, interests and abilities, the Military Services Office aids students with education benefits through campus programming and events. For the past nine years, the Military Services Office has hosted Military Appreciation Week, a week-long celebration of É«ÀÇÉçÇø’s military men and women. Says Beth, “We look forward to this series of events each year. It supports students through community awareness, provides additional resources, and highlights non-profit organizations committed to helping military-affiliated students prosper.” 

Outside organizations, like non-profit The Military Support Group of NJ, Inc., participate in the week-long festivities. Karen Jennings, a É«ÀÇÉçÇø alum and Marine mom, founded the group following her 2004 graduation from É«ÀÇÉçÇø. Their main support is focused on the support of deployed military, their families and veterans. “I believe it is important to bring services to college campuses for students who are currently serving or thinking about serving,” says Karen (pictured, at right, with student employee Tyler Seigel, whose stepfather is retired Air Force). “The Military Services Office brings hope to military students by showing them that they are appreciated. It is such a good feeling to see their academic and military achievements bolstered by a military and veteran-friendly campus.” She is proud of É«ÀÇÉçÇø’s continuing efforts to support the military and enjoys participating in Military Appreciation Week to help spread awareness and collect donations for deployed soldiers. 

To learn more about military-affiliated students and É«ÀÇÉçÇø’s Military Services Office visit /veterans/index.html. Here, you can also take the Stars and Stripes Training. At the conclusion of the training, each participant will receive a completion confirmation and a Stars and Stripes decal signifying sensitivity to the unique needs of military students at É«ÀÇÉçÇø.