Syracuse Sun

In recognition of May being Mental Health Awareness Month, the University’s Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA) has announced the launch of the OVMA Resiliency Program (ORP) in partnership with Falk College and Hendricks Chapel. The ORP is a wellness program designed to address the unique needs of veterans pursuing higher education, aiming to enhance their overall well-being throughout their academic journey.

According to a U.S. Government Accountability Office report earlier this year, nearly 70% of student veterans who are patients in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals received mental health services, compared to 40% of all other veterans receiving care from the VA. The report indicates a rising trend over six years of student veterans seeking care for depression and anxiety-related disorders more than their non-student veteran peers.

Ken Marfilius ’11, assistant dean of online and distance education and associate teaching professor of social work in Falk College, commented on the need for such programs: “Aside from being non-traditional students, which brings additional stresses to their academic studies, student-veterans also have unique needs that most colleges and universities are not prepared to handle. There’s a clear need to provide military-connected students with assistance beyond just information on where they may find resources.”

Marfilius, a U.S. Air Force veteran, will become the associate director for the ORP. He will lead two Falk College graduate student interns, Brenic Nam G’25 and Natalie Hawes G’25. Both interns are military-connected students at Syracuse University pursuing master’s degrees in social work. Hawes is a veteran spouse and granddaughter of two World War II veterans with over five years' experience supporting the military-connected community. Nam is currently a sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserve after active duty service.

Nam highlighted the importance of the program: “Veterans and military-connected students undergo significant transitions as they shift from military to civilian life... A dedicated program like ORP will provide imperative support, empowering these veterans and [military-connected] students to confidently navigate these challenges while pursuing their personal ambitions.”

Hendricks Chapel will provide stipends for both interns and support engagement with local community programs available in the area. The program aims to leverage support from Syracuse VA Medical Center, which already provides medical services for many student veterans at Syracuse University.

U.S. Army Col. (Retired) Ron Novack, executive director of OVMA stated: “This initiative is a clear reflection of Syracuse University’s strategic vision... By harnessing the strengths of its community and resources, the University is poised to not only meet but exceed the needs of this distinct student population."

The ORP will officially launch on August 26th, coinciding with the first day of classes for fall 2024 semester.

For more information on programs available to veterans and military-connected students at Syracuse University, visit the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs website.

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