When military veterans return home after serving overseas or statewide, they can often have trouble re-adjusting to society, and a journey to a college degree or a new career can be daunting.
“My personal experience was being handed my discharge paperwork and my commanding officer thanking me for my service,” recalled John Ryder, director of Student Affairs and Military Services at the Rowan College of South Jersey (RCSJ). “Nobody tells you what your benefits are when you discharge.
“My office is that conduit for these service members coming to RCSJ,” he added. “Not only do we help them with their educational benefits, but we also have contacts they can reach out to for other veteran benefits.”
As a Gulf War veteran and former Coast Guard petty officer who served for nine years, Ryder’s leadership at Rowan has transformed it into a foundation of support for students who are veterans. Last November, he received the 2024 Veteran Champion of the Year in Higher Education Award, and his commitment to student veterans has also earned Rowan the designation of being a 2024-2025 Military Friendly School as well as a 2024 Military Spouse Friendly School.
Ryder’s office assists veterans with their GI Bill schooling benefits and explains additional resources that are available.
“We have contacts in Gloucester and Cumberland counties for the campuses we serve,” explained Ryder, who has dedicated his career to ensuring no one is left behind. “We work with our internship department on campus to help our veteran students succeed.
“Whether we are working with Special Services, tutoring or any instructor, we are the support conduit for that military service member,” he continued, adding that his department works with others on the campus to help students dealing with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) or other medical issues.
Ryder’s top priority is to help military students achieve their academic goals.
“Most of my staff are prior service members and we are veterans with overseas experience,” he offered. “We also provide that peer-to-peer experience when a military student needs to talk to someone they can trust.”
Veterans who were exposed to dangerous chemicals during their service can get advice from Ryder’s office on connecting with a peer at the county Veteran Affairs Office and on becoming eligible for VA medical treatment. And the support of Rowan’s administration has been essential to making Ryder’s program succeed.
“They have allowed me to create a welcoming environment for the military … to make veterans lounges,” he explained. “They have also provided support in various policy changes that support military students being deployed or using military benefits.
“I was permitted to hire staff members with military experience, which brings a different mindset and experience to our office,” Ryder added. “My staff understands what these young men and women have gone through and what their needs may be.”
Ryder is especially proud of a new program that was brought to the Rowan’s Gloucester County campus in November and will be offered next month at the Cumberland campus. He describes it as a “Boots to Business” seminar that provides students with help starting their own businesses and accessing resources and information.
“I also look at what the current trends are and what positive ideas I can bring to the campus to enhance our program,” he stated.
Ryder’s overall goal is to see veterans succeed in their transition from soldier to student and become productive members of the workforce.
“Military members are mission driven,” he pointed out, “and my staff and I are driven to succeed in making our students successful. I have always lived by the saying, ‘Never leave anyone behind.’ I carry that true to today by continuing to help those student veterans I serve and those veterans I come across.”
In his role, Ryder oversees the Military Services Offices across both Rowan campuses and is a Department of Veterans Affairs School Certifying Official. He also advises and mentors Rowan’s Student Veterans of America chapter, which fosters a strong community of those who share the bonds of military service.
“It feels good to give back from one veteran to another,” acknowledged Ryder, who recently established the Military Wall of Fame as a way to recognize both the students and employees of Rowan whove served in the military. “It’s a brotherhood and sisterhood.
“We enjoy what we do, taking great pride in it, too.”
Each Rowan campus has a designated wall showcasing the names of its military service members past, present and future, along with photographs and branch flags for each branch of the U.S. military.
For information about Rowan College of South Jersey’s military services visit rcsj.edu/Veterans.
