Red, White and Light Blue: Helping Veterans Pave New Paths at Columbia University’s School of General Studies

For over 70 years, Columbia University’s School of General Studies has been providing innovative programs specifically designed for students pursuing nontraditional paths to a rigorous, traditional, undergraduate education, including veterans who have interrupted or postponed college to serve their country. The school provides flexible degree programs, often part-time for those continuing their service, recognizing that veterans bring an extraordinary wealth of life experience to the classroom, and contribute in unique ways to the diversity and cultural richness of the University.

For over 70 years, Columbia University’s School of General Studies has been providing innovative programs specifically designed for students pursuing nontraditional paths to a rigorous, traditional, undergraduate education, including veterans who have interrupted or postponed college to serve their country. The school provides flexible degree programs, often part-time for those continuing their service, recognizing that veterans bring an extraordinary wealth of life experience to the classroom, and contribute in unique ways to the diversity and cultural richness of the University.

The School of General Studies provides a full range of resources to ensure veterans and active duty military personnel are positioned to successfully transition from deployment to classroom, including the GS Veterans Mentoring Program, Columbia’s “MilVets” association for student veterans, and groups specifically focused on the needs of women veterans and those pursuing medical careers. Fortress Managing Partner Dean Dakolias (Columbia ’89, Columbia University Board of Trustees) and his family created a veterans’ scholarship in memory of Dean’s grandfather-in-law, Capt. Charles J. Cusson – a combat medic who served with the U.S. Army’s 36^th and 143^rd Infantry Divisions in World War II, earning a Silver Star in Italy and a Bronze Star and Purple Heart in France.

Spc. Charlotte McGuckin of the 212^th Combat Support Hospital is a proud recipient of a Capt. Charles J. Cusson Scholarship. “Having completed my undergraduate degree in three years instead of the traditional four, I returned to Columbia, this time as a Postbac Premed student in the School of General Studies,” said Charlotte. “I hope to attend medical school and return to a Forward Surgical Team, next time as a surgeon rather than as a medic.”

“Columbia has a long and distinguished history of providing support to the military community, and the School of General Studies was formed, in part, to answer the unprecedented need for educational opportunities that came with veterans returning from service in World War II,” said Dakolias. “We are both proud and humbled to provide a hand to those who have sacrificed and given so much on our nation’s behalf.”