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����Թ�’s Bob and Ann Woolf Veteran Career Initiative received an “Excellence in Programming” award at the second annual Inter-University Council of Ohio’s held on Feb. 11 at the Ohio Statehouse Atrium.

This marks the first time ����Թ� State was selected by the Inter-University Council of Ohio and the National Veterans Leadership Foundation for this recognition.

Joshua Rider, executive director of the Center for Adult and Veteran Services, said the Veteran Career Initiative was selected based on its impact on student success and its collaborative nature, which involves several campus partners.

The initiative connects student veterans and service members to on-campus resources, industry leaders and one-on-one mentorship to help them plan their careers and translate military experience into civilian competencies.

“This is a recognition of the hard work that we’ve done and the team effort to bring about a positive impact in the lives of these student veterans and service members,” Rider said. “Only a few other institutions in the state were honored in this way, so it speaks to the quality of VCI and what it means to student success and employment after graduation.”

Yvonna Washington-Greer, Ph.D., associate vice president of belonging, engagement and success in the Division of Student Life, accepted the “Excellence in Programming” award from Mike Duffey, chancellor of the Ohio Department of Higher Education. ����Թ� State President Todd Diacon and Eboni Pringle, Ph.D., senior vice president of the Division of Student Life, also attended the event.

The Veteran Career Initiative is funded by Bob and Ann Woolf and supported by a partnership between the Center for Adult and Veteran Services, Career Exploration and Development and the Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement.

“Students receive a mentor in an area of their career pursuit,” Rider said. “With an industry leader, and very often veterans, students get that one-on-one mentorship that is crucial.”

The program’s first cohort occurred in the 2019-20 academic year. Since then, 70 students have completed the initiative, with 13 enrolled in the current cohort.

“This recognition shows that we’re continuing to support our military-connected students at a very high level, not just while they’re here but as they’re leaving to connect to careers,” Rider said.

Applications for the program are announced through Center for Adult and Veteran Services newsletters and . The Veteran Career Initiative welcomes students closer to the end of their college careers to participate in the program and encourages first and second-year students to apply.