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During his first year at the University of New Haven, Michael Giammattei ’23 enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve. He continued taking classes throughout his service until 2019, when he was sent to Fort Irwin in California for training. He was later deployed to eastern Europe, spending nearly a year away from home. He was in Poland when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

Giammattei returned to the U.S. earlier this year, and he was discharged from his service in September. Now earning a criminal justice degree from the University, he says the faculty and staff have helped ensure a seamless transition from servicemember to full-time student.

“The staff at the Veteran Success Center and the many professors who were accommodating to my circumstances are what I am incredibly thankful for at the University of New Haven,” he said. “Many professors have been kind and understanding, and they offer accommodations to meet veterans’ needs. I find the Veteran Success Center to be an incredible area to relax and do homework, to study, or even to talk with other veterans between classes.”

‘Supremely reassuring’

That support for veterans has been noticed at the national level. , which measures an institution’s effort, commitment, and success in creating sustainable and meaningful benefits for members of the military community, has ranked the University a top 10 Military Friendly school in the category of private schools offering doctorates. The ranking has earned the University a “gold” designation. The University has previously earned a “silver” designation, which placed it among the top 20 percent of colleges and universities on Military Friendly’s list.

For Ryan Noonan '20, '23 M.S., manager of military and veteran's affairs for the University, this recognition was particularly meaningful. He says it is a testament to the dedication of the team of staff members committed to veteran students’ success. As a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, alum, and candidate in the University’s graduate program in national security, he knows firsthand the importance of staff support.

“Going back to school after years or even decades of being away from it is surely a difficult task,” said Noonan. “This transition from the military back to civilian life is difficult. What we look to do in the Office of Military and Veteran Affairs is to make that transition a little easier.

“It is also supremely reassuring to know that there is a team of individuals invested in my success as a student,” he continued. “Being a student veteran presents many challenges, and knowing there are individuals on campus to assist at moment’s notice certainly helps to alleviate some of the stress and headaches associated with using VA education benefits.”

‘The success and growth of our military and veteran student population’

Noonan cites the University’s new Veteran Success Center, a space that offers resources, support, and connection for military and veteran students, as a particularly “military friendly” offering at the University. He also cites Green Zone Training, which aims to equip faculty and staff with the tools they need to most effectively support and advocate for student veterans, as well as the University’s transition program that enables student veterans to excel in the classroom as well as after Commencement, as particularly beneficial for veterans.

Noonan says the University’s VA Work Study team serves as a liaison for student veterans that offers a place for veterans to seek support at the University. The University also offers a registered student organization for military veterans to enable them to connect and gather for social events.

“The University has made a commitment to the success and growth of our military and veteran student population, and we continue to establish additional methods of support and advocacy for this unique student group,” said Noonan. “As a student veteran, I am in a unique position within the University because I know what these student veterans are going through as non-traditional students. Being able to connect and empathize with their situations is key to understanding how to best remedy them, should challenges arise.”

‘I definitely made the right choice’

Schools that earned the Military Friendly designation were evaluated using public data resources as well as responses to a survey in which more than 1,800 schools participated. Military Friendly organizations were rated in six different categories, including academic policies and compliance; military student support and retention; and admissions and orientation. The University earned particularly high marks in the financial aid and assistance; culture and commitment; and graduation and career categories.

For David Negron ’24, the support he has received at the University has been invaluable, and he’s enjoyed his time as a student. He spent more than 30 years on active duty in the U.S. Army, where he held several leadership positions, and retired as a sergeant major in late 2018. During his career, Negron was stationed throughout the United States, including in Alaska and Hawaii, and he served in Afghanistan for a year.

While stationed in the Marshall Islands, he earned his certification as an open water diver, becoming fascinated with marine life. He is now pursuing a degree in marine biology at the University.

“The University is military friendly,” said Negron. “It’s been a pleasant three years. Everyone has been helpful to me. I definitely made the right choice when choosing a school, and I would highly recommend the University to a veteran or anyone interested in continuing their education. That professors go out of their way to help students really spoke volumes to me.”