Contact: Laura Lanese, President and CEO, Inter-University Council of Ohio
Phone: 614-537-3816
Email: [email protected]
University, Military, Legislative, and Private Sector Leaders Gather for Military Connected Student Symposium
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Inter-University Council of Ohio (IUC) convened the second annual Military Connected Student Symposium at the Ohio Statehouse on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, in partnership with the National Veterans Leadership Foundation, Ohio Association of Community Colleges, and the Association of Independent Colleges & Universities of Ohio.
The event featured prominent university, military, legislative, and private sector leaders. Covered topics included the value proposition of student military community advocates, having military connected students on campus, and the importance of military connected students in the workforce. State Representative Andrea White (R-36) received the Legislator of the Year award while State Representative Brian Stewart (R-12) received the Ohio Military Connected Alumnus of the Year award.
“Military connected students are more than deserving of our attention, our resources, and our commitment. We were thrilled to see so many Ohio leaders come together to discuss this important topic” said IUC President Laura Lanese. “The IUC looks forward to continuing to work with Ohio’s university, military, legislative, and private sector leaders to ensure military connected students receive the support they need to further their education and successfully transition to civilian life after bravely serving our nation”.
The event may be viewed in its entirety here. Selected highlights from the day include:
“Naturally, I want (military connected students) to think about Ohio State but it’s a win for Ohio in general, and our workforce, if we attract and keep these students within any of our quality institutions,” said Ohio State University President Ted Carter during opening remarks at the event. “We are all familiar with the data—our state will need to continue to produce high numbers of skilled graduates to keep up with the economic development needs of our communities.”
“Education is crucial. It’s changed my life. It’s changed my family’s life,” said State Representative Brian Stewart while receiving the Ohio Military Connected Alumnus of the Year award. “We appreciate the mission, and we want to keep Ohio’s universities being good places for veterans to come for years to come”.
“We leave no veteran or their family member behind,” said State Representative Andrea White during a panel conversation. “A big part of what we’re trying to do as a state is to help … develop leaders in a space that is outside of the military, in a business setting, so they can more effectively transition to their workplaces.”
“We need a focused effort to reach out to the military connected student. I’m proud to be a part of that,” said Youngstown State University Bill Johnson during closing remarks at the symposium. “There is no segment of society that we owe a greater debt to than those who put life on the line for the rest of us to live our dreams.”
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The Inter-University Council is a voluntary educational association of Ohio’s public universities.