Veterans luncheon recognizes staff and faculty support of military-connected students

KINGSTON, R.I.—May 08, 2024 – The University of Rhode Island’s Center for Military and Veteran Education (MAVE) and the URI Student Veterans Organization honored several members of the community recently during their second annual Veterans Award Luncheon. The luncheon, which took place in the Multicultural Student Services Center’s Hardge Forum recognized and celebrated faculty, staff, and community members, who have demonstrated their dedication to supporting veteran and military-connected students within the URI community.

“The Veteran Awards Luncheon is a way to show appreciation to the URI community that works so hard to support veterans and their families,” said Bob Flynn, director of URI’s Center for Military and Veteran Education. “We have a tremendous support network among the faculty, staff, and alumni and it is growing. We want URI to be the best place in the country for veterans and their families to get their education.”

Among those recognized for their dedication were four board members of the Student Veterans Organization: President Meghan Hughes, Vice President Chad Paride, President Emeritus Tracy Santos, and Treasurer Andrew Ebrahimpour; as well as graduate assistant and MAVE staff member Chantel Rosario De Los Santos.

The Student Veterans Organization and the center each honored community members with specific awards. URI Professor Lisa Weyandt was recognized by the Student Veterans Organization with a Civilian Impact Award. Professor Cheryl Foster and staff members Debbie Suggs and Christine Kazarian were recognized by the Center for Military and Veteran Education.

Civilian Impact Award: Professor Lisa Weyandt

Psychology professor Lisa Weyandt has been an amazing addition to URI’s efforts to serve veterans and military-connected students on campus. Weyandt, who comes from a family of veterans, established the Veteran Support Group at the Military and Veteran Education Center. She has also – despite her busy schedule – been instrumental in suggesting policy changes to the URI Manual that have already come to fruition and will help the University better support its veteran community. Weyandt, who also serves as director of the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, is an award-winning researcher and has published extensively in her field. She is well-loved by her students and members of the veteran community at URI.

Professor Cheryl Foster is honored with a Community Service Award for her support of the student veteran community. From left to right: Bob Flynn, Cheryl Foster, and President Parlange.

Community Service Award: Professor Cheryl Foster

An award winning educator with decades of experience mentoring students, Professor Cheryl Foster explores the Experience of War as a faculty member with the Providence Clemente Veterans Initiative, a group that provides resources and group-based support for veterans seeking to continue their education at the collegiate level. In addition to serving as a board member with the Clemente Veterans’ Initiative, Foster also serves on the executive committee of URI’s John Hazen White Center for Ethics and Public Service. She is also involved in program development as a higher education specialist with the Forest Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on leadership development of undergraduate college students. A winner of the URI Foundation Excellence in Teaching Award, Foster teaches in the Departments of Political Science and Philosophy and has twice served as associate director of the URI Honors Program.

Debbie Suggs receives a Community Service Award recognizing her work in the Office of Admissions. From left to right: Bob Flynn, Chad Paride, Andrew Ebrahimpour, Tracy Santos, President Parlange, Debbie Suggs, Chantel Rosario De Los Santos

Community Service Award: Debbie Suggs

Debbie Suggs, who directs special populations in the Office of Admission, has spearheaded support for veterans at URI in admission for many years. She and the staff in admission go to great lengths to ensure that veterans get every opportunity available to attend and thrive at URI. Suggs is a member of the Rhode Island Historical Cemeteries Commission in the Washington County district, organizing cemetery clean-ups, coordinating events and ceremonies to honor local veterans.

Outstanding Service Award: Christen Kazarian

Christen Kazarian is presented the Outstanding Service Award for her work in the Office of Enrollment Services. From left to right: Bob Flynn, Christen Kazarian, President Parlange

Christen Kazarian, who works in URI’s Office of Enrollment Services, works closely with URI’s student veteran population and with members of the National Guard seeking to attend the University—including handling the state tuition waiver. In any given semester, URI has 100 to 125 National Guard soldiers and airmen—which is 3 to 4% percent of the Rhode Island Guard. Handling each case with compassion and care, her efforts have been instrumental in solving funding issues for students and helping to keep service members and veterans enrolled at URI.

This story was written by Samantha Melia, a senior journalism and political science major at the University of Rhode Island and an intern in the Department of Marketing and Communications.