Higgins: $575,000-plus to support student veterans at Daemen University

Funding from US Department of Education will help veterans achieve their academic goals 

Congressman Brian Higgins announced a three-year federal grant totaling $575,697 awarded to Daemen University. Funded by the U.S. Department of Education and awarded through the Centers of Excellence for Veterans Student Success (CEVSS) program, the grant will provide critical support for the university’s student veteran population from enrollment to graduation.

“Veterans who selflessly served our country often face challenges transitioning from their military career into academics. Providing on-campus resources is critical in helping them reach their academic goals and complete their degree,” Higgins said. “Daemen University has a long-standing reputation as an institution that supports veterans and military families. Funding from the U.S. Department of Education will allow the school to increase the number of veterans students they serve, while improving their four-year graduation rates.”

Daemen University President Gary A. Olson said, "As veterans transition from the intensity of military service, it's important to provide the support they need and deserve to thrive in civilian and academic life. This grant through the U.S. Department of Education will allow Daemen University to establish a Center of Excellence for Veteran Student Success program. In doing so, we can ensure all veterans attending Daemen have access to the resources they need for a successful academic journey. I want to thank Congressman Brian Higgins for helping our institution secure this very important grant."

CEVSS grants support programs at institutions of higher education that provide student veterans with services that address their academic, financial, physical and social needs while they complete their degree. Qualifying institutions must provide comprehensive support for student veterans from the offices of admissions, registration, financial aid, personal or mental health counseling, career advising, disability services, and any other office that provides on-campus support for veterans.

This three-year federal grant will allow Daemen University to implement a CEVSS program that supports its growing population of student veterans. The program aims to improve enrollment, retention and graduation rates, while improving students’ overall satisfaction, veterans’ services and facilities, and access to professional development resources. Daemen will deploy intentional strategies to provide consistent communication, monitor academic progress, connect student veterans to internal and external support, and offer cocurricular support throughout their academic career. This year, the CEVSS program provided $8,027,942 in federal funding for institutions of higher education. Daemen is one of just 14 grantees across the country.

Director of Veteran and Veteran Family Services Mark Martinez said, "This award shows Daemen University's continuous efforts towards serving our veteran community and providing them with exceptional services along their journey towards achieving their higher education goals and overcoming all the barriers that veteran students experience along the way."

Daemen University is nationally recognized as a military-friendly academic institution. The Nancy Haberman Gacioch Center for Veterans, located on campus, provides students who are active-duty military members, previously served in the armed forces, and dependents of military service members, with an on-campus community space, as well as career, vocational and academic coaching and counseling. To learn more, visit https://www.daemen.edu/student-life/student-services/nancy-haberman-gacioch-center-veterans.

The university recently received a grant totaling $1.5 million from the Alfiero Foundation to create a new Accelerate Business Online Veteran Education program, an expedited online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree. Funding will also be used to support academic advising, career coaching, mental health counseling, and professional development workshops.