Support for Veterans

As a Military-Friendly recognized institution of higher learning, Assumption provides a number of programs and services to provide for Veterans’ unique needs.

At Assumption, you’ll find a community that is thankful for the sacrifices you have made in service to our nation and a community that is committed to your success.

Benefits for Service Members, Veterans and Qualified Dependents
Select Assumption faculty, including those who have served, have been trained on how to best advise Service Members, Veterans, and their families (SMVF). Individuals actively serving may face challenges related to training or deployment. Faculty and administration work with SMVF to facilitate degree completion regardless of the challenges presented by their military responsibilities.

Veterans Financial Aid and Benefits Assistance
Assumption University recognizes the barriers related to the timely allocation of funds from government programs providing tuition assistance to Services Members, Veterans, and their qualified dependents.  While issues almost inevitably arise, key personnel within the administrative hierarchy of the university are working to minimize and eliminate these barriers. Assumption University does not penalize with late fees or unnecessary registration challenges individuals receiving military-affiliated funding when its allocation does not align with the university’s schedule.

Below are ways to access additional information about benefits available for SMVF:

• Post 9/11 GI Bill®️:  Service Members may be eligible to transfer all or an unused portion of benefits to their spouse or dependent children. Learn more about this benefit.
• Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (Fry Scholarship): This scholarship provides payments to eligible spouses and dependents of Service Members who have died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001. Learn more about this scholarship.
• MyCAA is a workforce development program for eligible military spouses who plan to pursue a certificate, license, or associate degree in an occupation or portable career field. Learn more about this program.

Dedicated Staff
Thanks to a Veterans Administration grant, the University funds a work-study position that is filled by a student-Veteran. This individual serves as a resource to Veterans connecting them to various services available on campus. 
For more information please contact Mary Malone, 508-767-7408.

Veterans Liaison Contact Information
Gary Senecal, Ph.D.,  Associate Professor of Human Services
508-767-7590, gr.senecal@assumption.edu

Gary Senecal received his Ph.D. in psychology from the University of West Georgia in 2015 and has served as a professor at Assumption University since 2014. During this time, he has taught courses ranging from Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Human Disability Across the Lifespan, Client Assessment, Military Psychology – the Social Reintegration of Veterans, and Sports Psychology. His research focuses on existential and phenomenological psychology, the theoretical and social psychology of violence, and the career transitions of individuals who have retired from or been deselected from careers that exposed them to regular violent endeavors (in particular, contact sport athletes and military veterans). He has been a member of the Army Reserves since 2013. 

School Certification Official
Mary Malone, Assistant to the Registrar
508-767-7408, mmalone@assumption.edu

Veterans Success Committee
The Veterans Success Committee meets regularly to develop and enhance programs for Veterans.  Individuals on the committee also work to maintain relationships with student Veterans and support in whatever appropriate ways are necessary to facilitate their success. These individuals include:

• Gary Senecal, Chair
• Susan Cahill, Graduate and Post-Bachelors Admissions
• Lea Christo, Assistant Professor
• Nicholas J. Cioe, Director of Rehabilitation Counseling
• Kira LaBounty, Enrollment Management
• Mary Malone, Registrar’s Office and VA Certification Office
• Matthew McDermott, Integrated Marketing 
• Karen Mirabile, Integrated Marketing
• Katie Moulton, Enrollment Management
• Gary Senecal, Assistant Professor
• Susan Scully-Hill, Associate Professor
• Tommy Thomas, Graduate Student, Veteran