Honoring Service: Supporting Veterans at Queens

Queens proudly upholds its commitment to being a military-friendly institution — a commitment made visible through the university’s support for student veterans and their families. At the core of these efforts is QU4Troops, the official Student Veterans Association, founded in 2015 to build community among veterans and military-affiliated students transitioning to academic life.

QU4Troops is advised by Assistant Dean for Student Life Darryl White ’92, MS ’21, a Queens alumnus and retired U.S. Army veteran, whose leadership and firsthand experience ensure that the needs of veterans are well understood and supported.

“As someone who was a student veteran at Queens many years ago, I understand the importance of helping veterans navigate and transition through college successfully,” said White. “Not only does my role as their advisor provide me with the opportunity to help them, it also affords me the opportunity to connect with them in ways that other faculty and staff may not be able to. I truly value the relationships that I build with our student veterans.”

QU4Troops provides peer mentoring, hosts social and educational events, and partners with local nonprofits to continue the spirit of service.

A major milestone in this support came in 2016 with the dedication of the Veterans Lounge, made possible through a grant from The Home Depot Foundation in coordination with Student Veterans of America (SVA). This space serves as a central hub for study, connection, and relaxation.

“Having a place where I can connect with other student veterans and discuss our rather unique experiences has been a blessing. The Veterans’ Lounge also provides a secure and quiet environment where I can keep up with both my school and work assignments. I really appreciated participating in the 9/11 ceremony and am looking forward to the Veterans Day celebration. QU4Troops is awesome!” – Rick Wright, U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Creative Writing major

Queens’ veteran community has also earned national recognition. In 2017, one of our student veterans was honored as the National Student Veteran of the Year at the Student Veterans of America National Conference — a testament to the leadership, service, and academic excellence fostered on campus.

Other key initiatives include:

• Veterans Orientation Session: Introduces incoming student veterans to campus resources before the academic year begins, including direct guidance on Veterans Benefits from Student Financial Services.
• 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony: An annual event bringing the campus community together to honor the lives impacted by the events of September 11, 2001.
• Veterans Appreciation Lunch: Held during Veterans Week each year to recognize and thank campus veterans for their service.
• Veterans Chili Cookoff Fundraiser: Hosted near Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, this event invites veterans and others to cook and sell chili, with proceeds supporting veterans’ programs at Queens.
• Green Zone Training: Offered annually to educate faculty, staff, and students on how to be effective allies to military-affiliated students.

Queens is also a proud member of the SALUTE National Honor Society, which recognizes the academic achievements of student veterans. Graduating veterans receive a service cord at commencement in honor of their service and accomplishments.

Through these initiatives — and the dedication of campus leaders like Darryl White — Queens continues to foster a welcoming, empowering, and nationally recognized environment for those who have served our country.