“We take great pride in SUNY Canton’s standing as a military-friendly school, and we work diligently to create an atmosphere that is welcoming and accommodating for our nation’s service members, veterans and their families,” said Interim President Carli C. Schiffner. “It’s an honor to help those who have served our country reach their educational goals.”

SUNY Canton assists its military students by offering a dedicated study lounge and flexible online learning options for service members living stateside and abroad. Military personnel have enrolled from all over the world, including Iraq and Afghanistan.

In addition, the College’s counseling staff receives regular Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) training, and former service members can now take advantage of the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP), which offers 12 months of financial assistance to veterans who are between 35 and 60 years of age and are unemployed, among other criteria.

Earlier this year, SUNY Canton hired its first Veterans Affairs Officer Patrick S. Massaro. This is a shared position with SUNY Potsdam, and Massaro is charged with advising veterans as they navigate the admissions process. “I serve as the main point of contact for the College’s military students and their families,” Massaro said. “One piece of my responsibility is to ensure they are aware of the programs and services that can assist them with their educational goals, such as VRAP.”

The 2013 guide will be published in the December issue. Military Advanced Education is a journal of higher learning for American service members, and is published by KMI Media Group.

“The Department of Veterans Affairs reserves portions of this program for technical education,” noted Patrick S. Massaro, the Military and Veteran Student Service Coordinator. “SUNY Canton is the only College in the area to fit within the regulations for the retraining program.”

Patrick Massaro (seated in the green shirt) works with students in SUNY Canton's Veteran's Lounge.

The program offers 12 months of financial assistance to veterans who are between 35 and 60 years of age and are unemployed. They also must have been honorably discharged, among other criteria.

Prospective students and transfers can apply for the spring 2013 semester at SUNY Canton up to the first day of classes on Jan. 21, 2013. “Students seeking VRAP benefits should apply as soon possible,” Massaro said. “This upcoming year [2013] will be the last full year for students to take advantage of this remarkable retraining program, due to the program’s discontinuation in March 2014.”

There are currently almost a dozen veterans at SUNY Canton who are enrolled in the program. The Department of Labor will assist veterans with job placement after they graduate.

SUNY Canton is among the top “Military Friendly Colleges and Universities” according to Military Advanced Education magazine, and was among the top 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools to be recognized as a 2012 Military Friendly School by G.I. Jobs.

For more information, contact Massaro at his SUNY Canton office, 386-7073, or email massarop@canton.edu.

“We very recently received good news that SUNY Canton was among the colleges eligible to enroll veterans seeking VRAP benefits,” said Interim President Carli C. Schiffner. “The program must lead toward a high-demand occupation, making SUNY Canton the ideal choice for veterans in our area.”

The program offers 12 months of financial assistance to veterans who are between 35 and 60 years of age and are unemployed. They also must have been honorably discharged, among other criteria.

“The Department of Veterans Affairs reserves portions of this program for technical education,” noted Patrick S. Massaro, the Military and Veteran Student Service Coordinator. “SUNY Canton is the only College in the area to fit within the regulations for the retraining program.”

Massaro serves both SUNY Canton and SUNY Potsdam as the primary point of contact for active military students, veterans and their families. He is one of the successful hires created through SUNY’s plan to share services between the two colleges. “Being both an alumnus of SUNY Canton and veteran, I see this as a tremendous opportunity for unemployed former military looking to reenter the workforce.”

Veterans looking to take advantage of VRAP must apply before Sept. 30. The program is limited to 45,000 participants in its first year. The program will then be enrolling 54,000 participants from Oct. 1 (2012) through March 31, 2014.

SUNY Canton is among the top “Military Friendly Colleges and Universities” according to Military Advanced Education magazine, and was among the top 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools to be recognized as a 2012 Military Friendly School by G.I. Jobs.

For more information, contact Massaro at his SUNY Canton office, 386-7073, or email massarop@canton.edu.

SUNY Canton and SUNY Potsdam are pleased to announce the appointment of the first employee who will serve both institutions. Patrick Massaro is a unique fit for the newly created position of veterans and military services coordinator, a joint position that will serve students on both campuses.

Massaro will be the primary point of contact for the military families and serve as an advisor to the veteran’s organizations on each campus.

“This is a great opportunity for me to give back to both colleges and to those that have served and to the families of those that have served,” he said.

The veterans affairs position will enhance the student experience for veterans at both institutions and is the first joint hire to result from the ongoing shared services discussions between SUNY Potsdam’s and SUNY Canton’s Campus Alliance Network.

“Filling this position was a significant step in the goal of greater shared services for our colleges. We learned a lot about the search process and what we need to do in the next years to more efficiently use our resources,” SUNY Canton President Dr. Joseph L. Kennedy said.

“First and foremost, this hiring will positively impact the lives of service members and veterans working toward their higher education goals at the two colleges,” said SUNY Potsdam President Dr. John F. Schwaller. “Both SUNY Potsdam and SUNY Canton will benefit and learn from the experience of filling our first joint position, as Patrick navigates the unique learning environments at both campuses.”

Patrick Massaro is uniquely qualified to tackle the job, given his military background and the fact that he is an alumnus of both colleges. In 2003, he graduated from SUNY Canton and in 2005 from SUNY Potsdam. The Massena Central High School graduate then served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2006 to 2010, including one tour of duty in Iraq. He now holds the rank of Captain in the U.S. Marine Reserves. Most recently, Massaro completed his Master of Science degree in sports administration while working as the director of hockey operations at Canisius College in Buffalo, N.Y.

A member of the search committee, SUNY Canton Associate Professor William Fassinger, a retired Military Police First Sergeant, said, “If we could have built a person for this job, it would look like Patrick. He is a graduate of both institutions, with recent military service, and in the past two years having dealt with the Veteran’s Administration for his own education.”

“He will inherit the work done by others at Canton and bring those ideas to Potsdam, and then in turn assess how the things we do well at SUNY Potsdam might benefit Canton,” said SUNY Potsdam Director of Extended Education Thomas Fuhr, who co-chaired the search with SUNY Canton Professor Robert Edwards.

Both SUNY Potsdam and SUNY Canton have been named military-friendly colleges for their dedication to serving service members, veterans and their families.

About SUNY Canton:

The State University of New York at Canton offers 22 career-driven bachelor’s degrees in addition to its associate and certificate programs. SUNY Canton OnLine features more than 190 courses online each semester. The College’s athletic teams belong to the United States Collegiate Athletic Association. The College is home to a brand-new athletic facility, nicknamed Roos House, and the Grasse River Suites, offering students single rooms in apartment-style settings while they live on campus.

About SUNY Potsdam:

Founded in 1816, and located on the outskirts of the beautiful Adirondack Park, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America’s first 50 colleges. SUNY Potsdam currently enrolls approximately 4,350 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its handcrafted education, challenging liberal arts and sciences core, excellence in teacher training and leadership in the performing and visual arts.

Media inquiries should be directed to Gregory Kie, Media Relations Manager, or call 315/386-7527.