An $854,525 grant to fund management degree programs for U.S. veterans was awarded to the Institute for Veterans and Military Families and the Martin J. Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University.

The IVMF partnered with Whitman to develop the grant proposal in response to the first round of the Ideas to Innovation (i2i) Challenge. The partnership will help develop additional degree opportunities for veterans, not only at SU but also around the world, said James Schmeling, managing director and co-founder of the IVMF.

‘The partnership was absolutely natural,’ Schmeling said.

The IVMF and Whitman will work to create the Veteran Employment Through Modified Graduate Management Tracks program. This program, which will run from July 2012 to June 2015, will develop Master of Business Administration credit tracks to enhance veterans’ technical training. It will also work to develop the necessary leadership skills to run a business, according to an April 17 SU News release.

The Graduate Management Admission Council, owner of the Graduate Management Admission Test, gave the award to the two institutions last week as part of its Management Education for Tomorrow Fund.

‘GMAC helps to create access to not only the GMAT exam but to schools and opportunities all over the world,’ said MET Fund Director Allen Brandt.

With more than half of GMAT exams taken globally, the fund provides access to veterans who are not U.S. citizens, Brandt said.

GMAC’s MET Fund has awarded more than $7.1 million in grants to 12 organizations across six countries as part of its i2i Challenge, Brandt said.

This grant will help fund specialized programs for veterans returning from service.

‘There are 1.5 million veterans leaving service this year,’ Schmeling said. ‘We need to re-inhibit them into the workforce.’

Veterans are the leading force behind the creation of small businesses, Schmeling said. After World War II, veterans started more small businesses than any other group.

Schmeling said he believes the United States owes a debt of gratitude to its veterans. People have to realize what veterans can contribute to the country, not just what they can do in uniform, he said.

Veterans have learned throughout their service how to lead groups of people toward a common goal. This program will enhance the skills veterans already have and turn them into successful businessmen and women, Schmeling said.

When he found out the IVMF was awarded the grant, Schmeling said he was ecstatic.

‘It was already 80 degrees and sunny in Syracuse. I didn’t know how it could have got any better,’ Schmeling said. ‘When I got the call, I told the representative ‘You just made my day that much better.”

Whitman dean and Vietnam War veteran Melvin Stith said the partnership with the IVMF will allow for partnerships with other universities around the world.

Stith said the goal of the partnership is to put the brand out globally. He also said some of these veterans have been injured and need to become reacquainted to everyday life.

‘These young men and women have paid the ultimate sacrifice,’ Stith said. ‘Why wouldn’t you do something to make their lives better?’

nrcardon@syr.edu 

Published on April 25, 2012 at 12:00 pm

Contact Nick: nrcardon@syr.edu