Since January 2014, veteran and military-connected enrollment at Syracuse University has grown more than 500 percent. In 1944, Syracuse University helped lead the charge in the creation of the original G.I. Bill, and since then has continuously aimed to provide extensive resources and a top-quality education for veterans. As part of that mission, campus institutions like Syracuse University’s Martin J. Whitman School of Management have worked to establish a community and culture that embraces veterans and military-connected students as well as provides them the necessary support to ensure that these students are successful in their endeavors, during and after their education.
“The Whitman School has a rich history of supporting students with military backgrounds with cutting-edge academic programming combined with experiential opportunities and resources outside the classroom,” explained Alexander McKelvie, the Whitman School’s associate dean for undergraduate and master’s education. “This is a place where students with military backgrounds can learn comfortably from scholars of distinction, industry leaders and community members.”
Consistently ranked among the top five universities in the country for veterans and entrepreneurship, the Whitman School, under Syracuse University, has been ranked the #1 private institution for veterans by The Military Times in 2019 and Syracuse University ranked #4 Best for Vets overall. The Whitman School offers full-time, part-time and online study options for veterans to make learning flexible and accessible, as well as admissions and career advising, academic counseling and access to on and off campus resources through Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families, the VetSuccess Program, the Veteran Education (PAVE) Program, Veterans Legal Clinic, Student Veteran Organization and more.
“My main concern was to ensure I attended a school with a solid reputation, one that ranked well, and overall had a great student experience,” said Dave Bauer ’16. “I was able to narrow my choices down to three universities. Whitman ultimately won my choice because of its exceptionally welcoming atmosphere of veterans, it’s history of supporting the veteran community, and the method of educational delivery. I wanted to be a part of a school that held camaraderie in the same high esteem similar to my experience in the military. Whitman won my choice easily by fulfilling all those needs – and then some!”
According to McKelvie, beyond offering the positive environment for supporting career, academic and personal goals, the Whitman School and Syracuse University work with military programs to provide financial support for veterans and military-connected students.
“The Whitman School and Syracuse University ensure that our military-connected students have a number of financial options including application fee waivers, veteran-specific scholarships, merit-based scholarships that can cover up to 100% of tuition, the Yellow Ribbon program and housing grants,” said McKelvie. “In addition, we participate in the Post 9/11 GI Bill.”
Since January 2014, veteran and military-connected enrollment at Syracuse University has grown more than 500 percent. This spring semester included 24 undergraduate student veterans joining more than 1,000 veteran and military-connected students at Syracuse University. According to McKelvie, 27% of students in the MBA@Syracuse, the Whitman School’s online MBA program, are military-connected or veterans and many on-campus students at Syracuse University are studying at the Whitman School.
“There were more than 225 veteran students enrolled in our graduate programs in 2019,” explained McKelvie. “We see veterans really gravitating toward our online and full-time programs because of the flexibility of the programs, quality of the education, our supportive community and the financial offerings that make pursuing graduate education possible. Finding a large group of other service-minded leaders makes a major difference for our military-connected students.”
Students enrolled in the Whitman School’s MBA program can select from a variety of specialization such as business analytics, accounting, marketing and entrepreneurship and emerging enterprises.
“With the introduction of the Syracuse University’s National Veterans Resource Center and our genuine commitment from the highest levels of university leadership for our veterans and military-connected students, the Whitman School will continue its efforts to provide veterans and military-connected students a top-quality education with a community they can trust and rely on.”
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