✨ The Future of Fordham’s Veteran & Military Family Center Looks Bright ✨

Big news—we’ve just been featured in the Fordham Ram! 

As an Army veteran, veteran spouse, and now Operations Manager for the soon-to-be renovated Veteran and Military Family Center at Rose Hill, this work is more than just a role—it’s a full-circle moment.

When I first came to Fordham in 2013, there was no veteran center. Life also took an unexpected turn: shortly after giving birth to my youngest child, I lost my mother. Grief and responsibility pulled me away from school, and I eventually stopped attending, losing touch with the university. I kept telling myself, “I’ll come back soon.” But nearly a decade passed before I did.

When I finally returned, it was with the encouragement of my husband and the support of the same dean I had known years before. Through a special orientation for military-connected students, I discovered the Veteran Center at Lincoln Center in Manhattan—and everything changed.

The Veteran Center immediately became my haven. It was where I found belonging, connected with peers and leaders who understood life’s challenges, and built the confidence I needed to re-engage with campus life. Most importantly, it introduced me to people who genuinely cared about my success.

From there, I dove in fully: I became a work-study student, served as Vice President of the Student Veterans of America at Fordham (SVAF), and took on the role of Veterans Liaison with Career Services. Each of these opportunities gave me purpose, leadership experience, and the chance to advocate for fellow veterans. Yet with most of my classes at Rose Hill in the Bronx, it wasn’t feasible to go back and forth to Lincoln Center regularly. The camaraderie, support, and simple comfort of having a space to study and connect with like-minded peers was missing on the Bronx campus.

That’s why the creation of a Veteran and Military Family Center at Rose Hill is so meaningful. As a Yellow Ribbon school ranked #1 in New York for veterans by Military Times, Fordham continues to deepen its commitment to military-connected students. Rose Hill will prioritize dependents alongside veterans, ensuring their voices and needs are fully represented. 

For students who spend most of their time at Rose Hill, this center will be what Lincoln Center was for me: a true home base. It will provide a safe, welcoming space where students can recharge, collaborate, and build relationships. Beyond just a place to study, it will serve as a hub for programs, mentorship, and peer support—helping students grow academically, personally, and professionally. It’s about creating a sense of belonging and community that every military-connected student deserves, right where they spend most of their time on campus. Even now, with potlucks and movie nights (our first one is Sept. 19!), the center is already becoming a gathering place for friendships and connection! 

🚀 Looking Ahead
This isn’t just about renovating a space—it’s about expanding and continuing a proven legacy. The new Veteran and Military Family Center at Rose Hill will extend the mission of the Lincoln Center center to the Bronx campus, serving as a hub for advocacy, visibility, and leadership. By connecting military culture with Fordham’s Jesuit mission, it will create an even stronger sense of belonging and community for military-connected students across both campuses.

💬 Join Us in Building This Legacy
As someone whose Fordham journey was interrupted, rekindled through a veteran orientation, and transformed at the Lincoln Center Veteran Center, I know firsthand how powerful these spaces can be. Now, I’m honored to help bring that same experience to Rose Hill. Whether you’re a student, alum, faculty member, or community partner, your involvement matters. Visit the space, join us at events, share your story, or lend your support. Together, we can ensure every military-connected student at Fordham finds not just a resource, but a home.

#FordhamUniversity #Veterans #MilitaryFamilies #HigherEd #VeteranSupport #CommunityBuilding #MilitaryConnected