FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Kim Court, Public Affairs s2

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Kim Court, Public Affairs April 23, 2009 (315) 498-2054

$100,000 Grant Expands, Enhances Key Services For U.S. Veterans and Their Families

SYRACUSE, NY – Onondaga Community College was one of 20 institutions nationwide, and one of only two colleges in New York State, to receive a Success for Veterans Award Grant in the amount of $100,000 from the American Council on Education (ACE) and the Wal-Mart Foundation. The grant will be used to enhance and expand academic and social services and resources for veterans and their families. The grant was awarded to colleges that operate model programs advancing access and success in higher education for veterans and their families.

Onondaga Community College has one of the largest Office of Veterans’ Affairs among colleges in New York State and has been serving veterans and their families for nearly four decades.

“Onondaga is committed to meeting the needs of veterans and we recognize the significant contribution that veterans and military personnel make in choosing to serve our nation, as well as the valuable professional and life experiences they bring to the classroom that enhance learning for all students,” said Onondaga Community College President Debbie L. Sydow, Ph. D. “Therefore, it’s absolutely essential that we continue to improve the capacity of educational institutions – and in particular the capacity of community colleges, which serve as a gateway to education for a growing number of veterans – to help veterans succeed.”

Among the efforts this grant will support include: the creation of online veteran- specific orientation programs; expansion of the existing on-campus Office of Veterans’ Affairs; the enhancement of prospective student outreach efforts; and increased capacity for counseling and psychological services.

“Onondaga’s Office of Veterans’ Affairs provides direct services to more than 400 student-veterans each year,” said Stephanie Reynolds, associate vice president of student services at Onondaga. “This grant will enhance and expand our ability to meet the needs of our current student-veterans, prepare for the growing number of veterans expected to enroll in the coming months, and assist them with the transition from military life to civilian life as they work toward achieving their educational goals.” With more than 11,000 students, Onondaga Community College is the second-largest undergraduate institution in Central New York and was named one of the fastest-growing community colleges in the country by Community College Week. Founded in 1961, it is a comprehensive two-year college operating under the State University of New York (SUNY) and is locally sponsored by Onondaga County. Onondaga offers nearly 50 programs of study, bachelor and master’s degrees available on campus through a partnership with Keuka College, and more than 80 other transfer agreements with four-year colleges and universities. Home to the 2008 NJCAA national champion men’s tennis team and the 2006 and 2007 NJCAA national champion men’s lacrosse team, Onondaga has nine intercollegiate men’s and women’s athletic teams.

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