[fullwidth background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”” padding_right=”” hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][one_third last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][imageframe lightbox=”no” lightbox_image=”” style_type=”none” hover_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”none” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] 
[/imageframe][/one_third][one_third last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]
Age: 46
Military Service: Sergeant (E-5), Army (2005-2012)
MOS: Combat Medic (68W)[/fusion_text][/one_third][one_third last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]Education:
• Bachelor’s degree, social work, College of Staten Island, June 2016[/fusion_text][/one_third][/fullwidth][fullwidth background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”” padding_right=”” hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]What was your proudest accomplishment in the military?
My proudest moment in the military was my tour in Iraq. I felt I had served my country honorably and gave something back for all who were lost on 9/11.
What was your exit plan?
My exit plan was to enroll in school full time and pursue my Bachelor of Science in Social Work.
What are your goals once you’re armed with your new degree?
My ultimate goal is to work for the Veterans Administration. I feel that my military experience and
combat deployment could help other veterans with their VA experience and transition back to civilian life.
How did you research which school you would attend?
While on active duty at Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn, I was fortunate enough to have a couple of soldiers in my unit who were taking courses at the College of Staten Island. I knew the good reputation that CUNY possessed, but the soldiers talked about how involved the College of Staten Island was with the inclusion and promotion of soldiers attending classes. For me, that was truly important.
Did you have any difficulty adjusting to campus culture?
For me, I had two obstacles to overcome. I was 43 when I went for my bachelor’s, so I was older than most of my fellow students’ parents and some of my professors. The second obstacle was trying to figure out why so many students had a lack of discipline. I guess I missed the expected discipline of the military. I would look at fellow students who were in their 20s and their biggest complaint in life was how much work they were required to do for their diploma. I knew 18-year-olds who were running fire teams in Fallujah. I guess I got so used to young people who were disciplined, competent and battle-tested that when I returned to school, I compared my fellow students to my fellow soldiers. Unfortunately, there really is no comparison. It’s not their fault, they just never had the experiences me and my fellow soldiers have had. Because of that I feel incredibly fortunate.
What makes your school Military Friendly®?
The College of Staten Island has a great veteran program. From the first day you decide to commit to the school, the college goes out of its way to help you. Their veterans department will walk you through registration, give you a tour of the college and help in every way. The service does not end there. The college’s veterans department is always open and prepared to help. They run continuous veteran programs such as job fairs, VA benefit classes and social events. For a returning veteran going back to school, The College of Staten Island’s commitment to its veterans’ needs and promotion of a smooth transition to college life made all the difference in this veteran’s choice in going back to school.[/fusion_text][/fullwidth]
