Fordham University School of Professional and Continuing Studies Kicks Off Orientation Program to Ease New Veteran Transition to Civilian Life
BRONX, N.Y. (PRWEB) August 29, 2018 -- Every year, nearly 500 Veteran students study at Fordham University. Most enter through its School of Professional and Continuing Studies (PCS), which offers programs designed for adult learners. In an effort to ease the transition back to civilian life, PCS recently launched a new transition program for its incoming Veteran students. Forty Veterans were welcomed at an all-day orientation event at Fordham’s Rose Hill Campus on Saturday, August 18.
“The transition from military to civilian life is nothing short of challenging,” said Wesley Wilson, president, Student Veterans Association, Fordham University. “In addition to connecting new student Veterans with resources and services that are beneficial to their ascension to success, this orientation will help ease the anxiety associated with transitioning on a grander scale.”
Studies show that it can be overwhelming for Veterans to adjust to civilian life after service. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, in 2014, rates of suicide were highest among younger Veterans (ages 18-29) and risk for suicide was 22-percent higher among Veterans compared to U.S. civilian adults.
The PCS orientation introduced new Veteran students to a support network of current Veteran students and Fordham staff, to help alleviate the burden of transitioning back to civilian life and the classroom. Students were briefed on the recent changes to the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act (“Forever GI Bill”), which enhance or expand Veterans’ education benefits over the next few years. They also attended presentations on how to take advantage of student life at Fordham, including career services, the writing center, Veteran mentorship and community service opportunities.
Beyond the day’s informational sessions and campus tour, students rang Fordham’s famous Victory Bell, a gift from Admiral Chester Nimitz to commemorate soldiers in World War II that was first rung by President Harry Truman. To conclude the orientation, students joined PCS alumnus, Veteran, entrepreneur and Bronx local Kentavious White (owner of Kens Party Bus and Food Truck) for a tour of Little Italy.
“Fordham is a recognized ‘Yellow Ribbon school. I am proud to say that, this fall, PCS is offering unlimited seats of 100-percent coverage of tuition and fees/expenses for eligible post-9/11 Veterans or their dependents,” said Anthony R. Davidson, Ph.D., MBA, dean of PCS. “As Americans, we owe our Veterans a tremendous debt of gratitude for their service, and we want to support them in every way. That includes always working to remove financial barriers and any other obstacles that may stop them from pursuing a top-rated degree.”
For more information about Veterans at Fordham, visit https://www.fordham.edu/info/20728/veterans.
ABOUT THE FORDHAM UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL AND CONTINUING STUDIES
The Fordham School of Professional and Continuing Studies (PCS) offers students a quality education in a small, personalized atmosphere that promotes individual growth and exploration. With three convenient campus locations – Lincoln Center in Manhattan, Rose Hill in the Bronx and West Harrison in Westchester, PCS is poised to meet students’ academic needs. Classes are offered evenings, weekends and online in areas including Business, Organizational Leadership, Economics, Legal and Policy Studies, and Social Work. Certificates in Digital and Social Media Marketing and Human Resource Management are also available, as well as Post-Baccalaureate / Pre-Medical / Pre-Health. The Fordham Real Estate Institute, which is part of PCS, offers a Master’s Degree and multiple Certificate Programs in Real Estate at the Westchester and Lincoln Center campuses. Visit http://www.pcs.fordham.edu for more information.
Veronica Roman, Co-Communications Inc., +1 914-666-0066, [email protected]
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