The Columbia University School of General Studies (GS) traces its commitment to veterans back to 1947, when it was founded, in large part, to provide veterans returning from World War II the opportunity to pursue undergraduate higher education.
Today, with 300+ enrolled veterans, GS remains at the forefront of veteran student leadership, support, and innovation, and is proud to be the preeminent destination for veteran students in the Ivy League.
NYC Veterans Day Parade
For 17 consecutive years, GS has been a proud major sponsor of the NYC Veterans Day Parade. All GS and Columbia student and alumni veterans are invited to ride on or walk beside the parade float as it heads up 5th Avenue.
CVTI's goal is to build on Columbia groundbreaking leadership in veteran education to become a national center of resources, support, and programming for veterans transitioning from active service to college and the workforce.
At the 2025 Student Veterans of America (SVA) Conference, CVTI was honored with the William Pearson Tolley Champion for Veterans in Higher Education Award in recognition of their innovation and impact.
Some 700 student veterans are currently enrolled at the University, thanks to a quarter century of bold leadership on a historically activist campus. Around 400 of these students are undergraduates in GS, thanks to the leadership of Peter J. Awn, former dean of GS and current vice dean Curtis Rodgers, who engaged directly with veterans to create a space for them in the undergraduate community.
Several veteran students from GS and beyond share their stories and the way Columbia and GS have transformed in the past 20 years to support veterans in an academic environment.
In partnership with national nonprofit Warrior-Scholar Project (WSP), Columbia has hosted eight WSP Academic Boot Camps for veterans transitioning to higher education.
"This was one of the best decisions I’ve made for getting myself ready for higher education and bettering myself as an individual," said 2024 WSP participant Alexandria Durrant, an active duty service member in the Navy. "I wish that every military personnel wanting to go to college, active duty or veteran, knew about this amazing opportunity!”
Columbia University Military Ball
The premier event celebrating the Columbia and New York City veteran communities, the annual Military Ball proceeds help underwrite academic and career transition programming for veterans and military family members nationwide, financial aid for veteran students at Columbia, and student and alumni veteran programming.
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Slide 1: Group of veterans and guests posing at the 2023 military ball
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Slide 2: Silhouettes of two military veterans against the backdrop of the Columbia logo
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Slide 3: Six guests at the Columbia University military ball
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Slide 4: Three people in military dress at the 2024 military ball
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Slide 5: Four attendees at the Columbia University military ball
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Slide 6: Six attendees at the Columbia University military ball
Veterans Resources and Initiatives
From the GS Veteran Mentoring Program, to the GS Student Veteran Newsletter, to dedicated veteran student groups, to broader university, local, state, and national resources: GS supports and empowers veteran students through a broad range of community initiatives and connections.
SUPPORT AN IVY LEAGUE EDUCATION FOR VETERAN STUDENTS
The School of General Studies is a proud participant in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Yellow Ribbon Program. The scope of benefits provided by the Post-9/11 GI Bill® and the Yellow Ribbon Program make a Columbia education accessible to eligible veterans, regardless of socioeconomic status.
Connect with Veterans Support
GS is proud to be a leader in veterans support, and that includes being home to a number of veteran-dedicated staff. Connect with our veteran staff to learn about veteran programming and support on-and-off campus, and to manage your veteran benefits.
Jazmin joined the School of General Studies in 2023. As Assistant Director of Student Engagement and Veteran Initiatives, Jazmin oversees veteran programs and initiatives at GS including Veteran and Military-Connected Orientation, Veterans Day programs, the GS Veteran Mentoring Program, and other veteran resource and community programs. She also collaborates on programs such as the Military Ball and Dean Rosen-Metsch’s Women Leaders Roundtable for Women Veterans, and works closely with staff at the Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.
Jazmin advises student groups including the Military Veterans of Columbia University (MilVets) and the Postbac Premed Student Council (PPSC), including its various premedical auxiliary groups. Additionally, Jazmin develops programming for students enrolled in the School's dual- and joint-degree programs, international students, and Postbac Premed students. She also serves on the on-call wellbeing response team in the Dean of Students Office.
Jazmin comes to GS with experience working at the City University of New York in various areas including student affairs, admissions, veteran support, student success, and the NYS-funded SEEK (Search for Education, Elevation and Knowledge) program. Having served as an adjunct professor of the freshman seminar as well as a task supervisor for graduate social work interns, Jazmin understands the importance of providing both academic and social support to students throughout their college experience. She received her MSW from Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College and a BS from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Jazmin also served six years in the United States Air Force Reserve as a Knowledge Operations Manager. During her free time she enjoys spending time with family and friends, doing community service, traveling, and exploring New York City.