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Christopher Cofer, executive director of Summer@Syracuse, has been named the New York ACT College and Career Readiness Postsecondary Champion for 2018. The award is given to one individual from each state who is making a positive impact on their communities through their efforts to advance college and career readiness. Over 5,000 applications and nominations were received nationally and the largest pool of applicants ever was received for New York State.

The ACT College and Career Readiness Postsecondary Champion Award acknowledges individuals who assist underrepresented or underserved students in navigating their future educational and professional careers.

“Chris was an outstanding applicant in his category, and his contributions to Summer@Syracuse represent the best attributes of college and career readiness for all,” says Rose Babington, ACT district manager.

Cofer has significantly expanded partnerships with community-based organizations to increase access to Syracuse University’s Summer College for High School Students programs. The Summer College for High School Students programs are designed to offer both credit and non-credit opportunities for students to engage in rigorous college courses over a six-week period during the summer. Partnering with community-based organizations and foundations has provided opportunities for students who may otherwise not have the means to attend. In 2017, Summer College served 457 students from 30 states and 20 countries.

The Charles Hayden Foundation is the longest standing partnership with Summer College. The foundation funds an average of 20 students each summer from select New York City high schools. Their focus and support is on youth development and education programs that present evidence of program impact on young people and plans for making measurable progress toward well-defined goals in a specific time frame.

Funds from the foundation are used for housing, meal plans and other expenses. Since 2010, 177 students have been awarded the Charles Hayden Foundation Scholarship, giving them the opportunity to attend Summer College.

“Chris’s passion for opportunity and access exemplifies Syracuse University’s commitment to diversity and inclusion,” says Mike Frasciello, dean of University College. “Under Chris’s leadership, Summer College has evolved into a One University initiative that actively demonstrates how diversity and inclusion goals can be meet with intention, purpose and a personal commitment to academic excellence through multiple points of view, life experiences, ethnicities and cultures,” he adds.

ACT State Organizations represents over 10,000 education and workplace professionals from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

University College (UC) is opening its doors to the public to celebrate its 100^th year of providing education to part-time students.

An Open House and a tour of University College will take place on Thursday, April 19, from noon-3 p.m. Visitors can check out the newly launched Center for Online and Digital Learning, learn about remitted tuition benefits, the English Language Institute, and degree and certificate programs. Information is also available on UC’s Bachelor of Professional Studies Program.

Sean Kirst, an award-winning Upstate New York journalist, current columnist for the Buffalo News and former Post-Standard columnist as well as the author of “The Soul of Central New York: Syracuse Stories” will be available for a book signing. His book will be available for purchase at the open house.

Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, desserts, giveaways and conversation as you learn of UC’s history and its plans for the next 100 years. Visitors will receive a trivia sheet to fill in UC facts at each location throughout the building.

To RSVP to the event, go to http://cc.syr.edu/uc100openhouse.

For more information, contact Eileen Jevis at 315.443.3527 or ejevis@uc.syr.edu.

University College celebrates Nontraditional Student Week November 6-10. Our students juggle families, jobs, and other responsibilities while studying part-time, all in an effort to build a better life for themselves and their families through education.

In recognition of nontraditional students, we invite UC students and faculty to visit the main lobby at UC anytime next week between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. We’ll have free “smart” snacks and coffee on hand for everyone to enjoy. This is our way of demonstrating our admiration for UC students’ dedication and hard work.

When you see a nontraditional student next week, don’t forget to congratulate them on their achievements.

As a medic in the U.S. Air Force for 10 years, Adam LeGrand experienced and witnessed traumatic events that had a long-term impact on him. At a recent meeting of the Student Veterans Organization (SVO) housed at University College, LeGrand shared information on the Disabled Student Veteran Liaison Program (DSL), a national peer-to-peer program that assists students with services offered through the Office of Disability Services.

There is no judgement—just a friendly, helping hand from fellow veterans, says LeGrand. Any military-related disability qualifies a student veteran for the confidential program, regardless of rating.LeGrand,  who is earning a bachelor’s degree in communication and rhetorical studies in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, guides other student veterans through the process of getting the services they require. “I help them navigate the system, help them access care at the VA hospital or through Tricare and connect them with available resources,” he says. “And, if my schedule allows, I will walk the student veteran to the Office of Disability Services and wait in the waiting area while they meet with a staff member—just to show that they have someone who supports them.”

LeGrand was nominated by Jessica Calhoun, assistant director of Veteran & Military Connected Students, and Ron Novak, director of the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA), to bring the DSL program to Syracuse University. Currently, there are only four other DSL programs in place on college campuses across the country. LeGrand says he was in the perfect place as the program started at the national level. He wrote the policy for the program at SU, and that policy has been adopted by other universities across the nation.

Soldiers are trained during military service to “suck it up” when it comes to getting help for any problems, LeGrand says. Destigmatizing disabilities is an important part of identifying oneself as having issues that can lead to accommodations on campus or in the workplace. LeGrand wants his fellow veterans to know that it is okay to have a diagnosis or disability and ask for support services. “There is no shame in asking for help. This program is 100 percent confidential and no identifying or diagnostic information is collected,” he explains.

“The number of disabled student veterans entering college who will need accommodations in the educational setting is increasing,” says LeGrand. “DSL will help bridge the gap of understanding while informing veterans of the services available.”

As a veteran who suffers from post-traumatic stress, LeGrand is passionate about another support program as well. He is an ambassador for the K9s for Warriors program. K9s for Warriors is the number one provider of service animals for veterans suffering from PTS, traumatic brain injury and military sexual trauma.

“After my second voluntary hospitalization for PTS, my friend convinced me that I needed to seek additional options to treat my problems,” says LeGrand. “The military and veteran suicide epidemic in our nation is appalling, to say the least. The VA health care model is to treat these illnesses with drugs that can be addictive. Benzodiazepines such as Xanax and Klonopin have actually been linked to suicidal ideations. I’m proud to say I don’t take them anymore. My service animal Molly has been a great tool to augment my physical and emotional therapies.”

K9s for Warriors leads the nation in research, quality and training of service animals. As of September 2017, 748 dogs have been rescued from high-kill shelters and placed with 357 warriors. The program rescues both the warrior and the dog, says LeGrand.

“K9s for Warriors paired me with the best solution I’ve found—Molly. It’s better to pick up a leash than to pick a life-ending solution to one’s problems.” LeGrand wants to remind those with any type of disability that there is help. “People care and want to help, but they have to take that first step.”

For more information about the Disabled Student Veteran Liaison Program, contact LeGrand via email at svodsl@svosu.org or 315.443.9297. For more information about K9s for Warriors, email info@K9sforwarriors.org or call 904.686.1956.