POTSDAM -- Patrick Massaro, coordinator of military and veterans student services at SUNY Potsdam, recently spoke to college faculty and staff earlier this year on the issues military veterans face and the resources available to veteran students.

Massaro educates college employees about the issues veterans face as they transition out of the military and into college life, as well as the resources the college has to assist in the transition.

“There are a number of resources available for military and veteran students to take advantage of while at SUNY Potsdam,” said Massaro. “Currently, SUNY Potsdam has over 100 students utilizing some form of military-related educational benefit, and that number is only going to continue to grow as the United States draws down its military forces.”

“A lot of times students come out of the military not knowing about any of these benefits,” said Massaro.

Massaro helps veterans apply for awards and scholarships, as well as educating them on educational services at SUNY Potsdam.

Other speakers included coordinator of accommodative services Sharon House; Counseling Center clinical director and psychiatrist Trish Pielnik; and Tom Matthews, an outreach specialist for the Watertown Vet Center.

“It is more difficult to transition when you have an ‘invisible’ disability,” said House.

SUNY Potsdam has plans to introduce a first-year success seminar program specifically designed for veteran students.