Syracuse University continues its commitment to be the best university for veterans and military-connected students with the creation of four new scholarships for New York State Army and Air National Guard members of the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS).
Two “last dollar” scholarships will cover tuition expenses after a member uses all available tuition assistance (TA) funding each fiscal year, meaning there are no out-of-pocket tuition expenses between TA funding cycles. The scholarships apply to any Syracuse University online Bachelor of Professional Studies degree in the College of Professional Studies, and are open only to EANGUS members of the New York Army and Air National Guard (one scholarship for each service).
Two “full-tuition” scholarships cover all tuition expenses for any Syracuse University online undergraduate credit certificate (15 credits) in the College of Professional Studies. The scholarships are open to EANGUSmembers and their spouses of the New York Army and Air National Guard (one scholarship for each service).
“Our support of EANGUS and its New York State members is an extension of Syracuse University’s position as a national leader in supporting current and prior members and family members of the United States military,” says Michael Frasciello, dean of the College of Professional Studies. “These four scholarships dramatically expand access to Syracuse University for New York State Army and Air National Guard members who otherwise could not study with us full-time on campus.”
Syracuse University’s enduring commitment to veteran and military-connected students dates back more than 100 years. Dedicated to being the Best Place for Veterans™ and rated one of the best private schools for military-connected students, Syracuse is the only private university in the Northeast that offers online and residential part-time undergraduate study to active-duty military, guard and reservists at their respective tuition assistance rates beyond the member’s annual benefit.
“We are excited to partner with Syracuse University and proud to offer our NY Enlisted Association members these wonderful scholarships,” says Mr. James M. Hokkanen, Vice President (Air) of the New York Enlisted Association of the National Guard. “The Enlisted Association knows how impactful these scholarships will be to our members and their families.”
New York State Army and Air National Guard members and family members interested in the scholarships will complete a competitive application with EANGUS. Finalists will be forwarded to Syracuse University to determine admissibility into an online undergraduate degree or undergraduate certificate. The scholarships will be awarded each academic year, with the first four scholarships for the fall 2023 semester.
“Syracuse University is excited to further it’s collaboration with the New York Air and Army National Guard,” says Liz Green, executive director of online student success and Syracuse University’s coordinator for New York Guard partnerships.” We’re committed to providing an unsurpassed academic experience for military-connected students, and these scholarships are a small but impactful way for us to extend that experience to Guard members in the state.”
Hsa Mu Na, HEOP Student, College of Professional Studies
“I had to run and hide in the jungle, without food, from the fighting between the Burmese military troops and the rebel groups,” a distinct memory floods Hsa Mu Na’s mind. “There had been war – Burmese against Burmese – for as long as I can remember.”
Living in Burma (also known as Myanmar) under military dictatorship was a difficult and challenging experience for Hsa and fellow Burman citizens. The military had a long history of suppressing political opposition, limiting free speech, and using violence to maintain power. The military controlled many aspects of the economy, leading to suppressed economic and educational opportunities for citizens, limiting their chances for personal and economic growth.
“I had a lack of education while living there, because education in Myanmar was too expensive for my family. You had to pay a lot for the school fees, materials and supplies. It is hard to go to school for poor families there. For me, I had only completed a few grade levels and then stopped going to school because of the expense,” Hsa recounts.
In 2001, Hsa fled to Thailand’s Nu Poe refugee camp, which is supported by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) organization. He lived there for six years and was able to continue his education through the assistance of the local and international NGOs, and community-based organizations. Hsa successfully earned his high school certificate. However, the quality of refugee education is unusually defined and measured by ineffective standards, leading to the government of Thailand not formally recognizing refugee camp high school graduates as national students.
Hsa Mu Na (right) at refugee camp
Hsa Mu Na (middle) at refugee camp
Hsa Mu Na (far left) at refugee camp
A New Beginning as a Refugee in the US
From 2008-2014, approximately 109,000 Burmese refugees arrived in the United States from camps and urban settings in Thailand and Malaysia. Hsa was among this large group of refugees, resettling in the United States in 2008 with the hopes of having a better life.
After arriving in the U.S., Hsa found employment working at an optical company. “It was a good job, but I was not yet satisfied with my life. I believe that education is very important. Going to a college was one of my dreams, but I also thought that college was not a possibility.”
“Going to a college was one of my dreams, but I also thought that college was not a possibility.”
Hsa Mu Na
“The higher education level you have, the better job you will get. I knew that education was my greatest goal. However, it’s not easy to get your GED as a full-time worker because you need to manage your time, schedule and be aware of your living costs, too. I could only study part time in my situation at the time. If I worked part time and studied full time, I could not afford my rent or bills,” Hsa says.
In 2013, Hsa joined the English as a Second Language (ESL) program through the Syracuse Educational Opportunity Center (SEOC). The SEOC provides urban communities with innovative academic programs leading to higher education, and vocational training programs leading to gainful employment and economic self-sufficiency. “I studied ESL from 9 a.m. to Noon and then worked from 12:30 to 9 p.m.,” said Hsa, “If I had to work overtime, I would come home at 11:00 PM or midnight. Often, I did not have enough time to do my homework or sleep.”
Through the SEOC, Hsa was able to earn his GED after studying grammar, vocabulary, mathematics, science, social studies, reading, and writing in English. Due to his work schedule, Hsa had to step away from his educational studies for a few years.
A Goal Realized Through Syracuse University’s Part-time HEOP
In February 2014, Hsa, along with forty-five other people from twenty-nine countries became U.S. citizens at the U.S. Northern District Court House in Syracuse, NY.
In January 2022, he returned to the SEOC to attend college preparation classes with the intention of going to college to become a social worker. He would drive by Syracuse University and see students walking around campus. Feeling inspired, Hsa looked into going to several local institutions to pursue his bachelor’s degree but learned that they didn’t accept part time students through the Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP). “I learned that Syracuse University is the only school that accepts part time HEOP students. So, finally and happily, I decided to choose to go to Syracuse,” Hsa said.
The Higher Education Opportunity Program was established in 1969 by the New York State Legislature to provide access to independent colleges and universities for economically and educationally disadvantaged students from New York State. While there are many colleges and universities that have full-time HEOP programs in New York State, the College of Professional Studies at Syracuse University has New York State’s only Higher Education Opportunity Program for part-time students.
HEOP provides academic support and financial assistance to eligible students and covers the majority of the cost of tuition, fees, books and parking. HEOP students also receive one-on-one counseling from advisors who are qualified to help them discover their strengths, overcome roadblocks to success, and choose an academic program that meets their interests and career goals.
“The greatest benefit to any student in this program, is they can receive a quality Syracuse University education at little to no cost to them or their families. It goes without saying, this program is a life changing opportunity that provides scholarships and grants to students who otherwise could not attend,” says Marsha Senior, director of Syracuse University’s part-time HEOP. “Our part-time HEOP students are hardworking, dedicated and appreciate the opportunity they’ve been given. They take nothing for granted, and they work hard to maintain their grades.”
“I feel like I am very lucky to be here because of the HEOP program. It is an extraordinary program for part-time students who already have a high school diploma. And it is a very helpful program for students who have to take care of their family and work full-time and want to continue their education,” Hsa says.
Hsa, like many post-traditional students that choose Syracuse University, has shown remarkable resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. He enrolled at Syracuse in the Summer of 2022, pursuing a liberal arts associate’s degree. His goal is to become a social worker at a refugee center in Syracuse and to go on to pursue his bachelor’s degree.
Alpha Sigma Lambda is the nation’s largest and oldest chapter-based honor society for nontraditional students. The Society was founded in 1945-46 and today has more than 300 institutional chapters. The Syracuse University chapter is the Beta Delta Chapter and was established in 1977.
Alpha Sigma Lambda’s aim is to recognize the special achievements of adults who accomplish academic excellence while facing competing interests of home and work. Alpha Sigma Lambda is dedicated to the advancement of scholarship and recognizes high scholastic achievement in an adult student’s career. By so doing, this Society encourages many students to continue toward and to earn associate and bachelor’s degrees.
To be considered for membership a candidate must be matriculated and have completed a minimum of 24 credit hours and represent the top twenty percent of the class, with a minimum grade point index of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale.
On April 6, the College of Professional Studies will recognize the following students at the 2023 Honors Reception ceremony:
Eric Tremblay, Cybersecurity Administration, B.P.S.
The College of Professional Studies is rolling out the proverbial red carpet for acclaimed actor Jay Harrington VPA ‘93, during an exclusive reception and program in Los Angeles on Wednesday, April 19.
That evening, the College is also putting down the Forever Orange carpet to welcome post-traditional, online and executive education students and alumni attending this special Syracuse University event.
The College provides access to and support for post-traditional students from across the world to obtain their college degrees either through on-campus class attendance or online course offerings. More than 360,000 post-traditional alumni have been identified and Syracuse University is working to connect with these former students in more personal ways.
“The Syracuse Orange spirit is strong, and cultivating meaningful relationships with College of Professional Studies alumni are vital to our ongoing success and that of our current and prospective students,” says College of Professional Studies Dean Michael Frasciello. “We need to learn from their experiences and expertise as we continue to expand our position as a global university.”
In recent months, the University has held well-attended networking receptions in New York City and Washington, D.C., and is planning another event on May 22 in Albany. Over 2,000 SU post-traditional alumni reside in the Los Angeles area, working in many fields, including entertainment.
A familiar face on the SU campus in the early1990s, Jay Harrington has become widely known for his role as the title character in the ABC sitcom “Better Off Ted” and has just finished filming his sixth season as Sgt. David “Deacon” Kay in “S.W.A.T.” on CBS, for which he also directed his first episode in the series. Previous credits include starring alongside Eliza Coupe in the USA Network’s “Benched.”
During the program, the College of Visual and Performing Arts graduate will invoke memories from his student days and talk about why he’s stayed so connected with his alma mater. Jay returns to campus for events and routinely meets with current students in the Syracuse University Los Angeles programs. He’ll also provide an inside look at what it’s like to work in Hollywood and the acting industry.
In addition to Dean Frasciello, greeting guests will be Jeffry Comanici, ‘88, executive director of post-traditional advancement for the College of Professional Studies, and Joan Adler, assistant vice president for regional programs in Los Angeles.
The reception begins at 6 p.m., followed by the program at 7:30, at Craft, 10100 Constellation Blvd., in Los Angeles.
Syracuse University’s College of Professional Studies announces the appointment of Noura Allen as director of diversity and inclusive excellence.
Allen will lead, develop and implement strategies to align the College of Professional Studies’ diversity, equity, inclusion and access (DEIA) initiatives. Allen will also consult and partner with University departments to advance efforts across the college to provide a welcoming and affirming environment for all post-traditional Syracuse University students.
“We are extremely excited to have Noura joining the college and the senior leadership team at this important and transformational time,” says Michael Frasciello, dean of the College of Professional Studies. “Our commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility extends from our staff and faculty to the differentiated programming and services we provide to our students. Noura will build that commitment into a model of excellence within and beyond Syracuse University.”
Allen joins Syracuse University from Virginia Commonwealth University, where they served as the assistant director of residence life for multicultural affairs since 2018. Allen’s career additionally includes serving as the assistant director for residence life and housing at the University of Mary Washington from 2016 to 2018 and residence director for the STEM Residential College and South Campus at Syracuse University from 2012 to 2016.
With a master of science in higher education leadership from Old Dominion University and a bachelor of science in psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University, Allen has presented research and facilitated a series of courses and training regarding DEIA initiatives in the workplace.
Allen has served on various DEIA committees for residential life and housing in Richmond, VA, which includes chairing the Inclusive Action Committee as well as serving on the Diversity, Equity, Belonging, Inclusion Council, the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy and Procedure Committee, and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training and Development Committee.
“Bell hooks wrote, ‘Honesty and openness is always the foundation of insight dialogue.’ The College of Professional Studies is poised to be a trailblazer for DEIA initiatives at Syracuse University through their approach to transparent and authentic leadership,” says Allen. “I believe that my lived experience has uniquely prepared me to lead this team, and I am excited to do the hard work that needs to be done.”
About the College of Professional Studies
The College of Professional Studies is a global, inclusive and future-facing college, providing access to diverse students and learners seeking a Syracuse University degree, credential, certificate, or education experience.
