All faculty and staff are encouraged to become a VALOR Ally.
To become a VALOR Ally, we ask you to commit to do the following:
1. Complete (at a minimum) PsychArmor Course 15 Things Veterans Want You to Know;
2. Review the Resources for Military and Veteran Students;
3. Review the Military Culture Awareness Training Resources;
4. Be listed on VALOR's webpage as an Ally and prominently display the VALOR decal in your work space;
5. Create an environment that welcomes student veterans and invites them to talk openly;
6. Treat student veterans with respect and dignity;
7. Assist and advocate for student veterans as is appropriate within NDSU policy and the Student Code of Conduct;
8. Encourage student veterans who have experienced or witnessed acts of bias, bigotry, or hate on the NDSU campus to
report those experiences so they can be addressed;
9. Continue to learn about issues relevant to the military and student veterans.
If you are willing to commit to being a VALOR Ally, please complete this sheet, scan (or photograph) and return it via email to Jim Stoddard at james.stoddard@ndsu.edu.
VALOR Ally of the Year (2021) Recognized
NDSU’s Veteran Alliance Organization, known as VALOR, has presented its 2021 Ally of the Year Award to Jerry South, assistant director of career coaching in the NDSU’s Career and Advising Center. South was recognized on Dec. 14.
South is both a VALOR ally and board member. He served 23 years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring in 2012. He has many years of experience working with military students and veterans to help them achieve their educational and career goals.
“Throughout my life, I have felt called to primarily one thing – to help others succeed, to help people reach their potential,” South said. “I believe that is why I aligned with the Air Force so well, as one of their core values is ‘Service Before Self.’ Therefore, I have worked to align myself with opportunities where I thought I could best serve others. This award validates that what I am doing is worthwhile, valued, and seen as impactful to others. So, it is an honor, and I am very grateful to be chosen as the VALOR Ally of the Year.”
VALOR faculty liaison Carol Cwiak, associate professor of emergency management, said, “Jerry has established himself in the NDSU student veteran community as a touchpoint for knowledge, assistance and guidance. His ready smile and can-do attitude put people at ease and also is an example of the power of applied positivity in one’s life. Jerry is not afraid to share examples of his own life and career challenges and the lessons he learned from them. In such exchanges he illustrates the power of conviction and commitment to both success and resilience.”
VALOR’s mission is to improve the campus climate for student veterans and enhance their success. Student veterans include veterans, active-duty service members, reservists and members of the National Guard.
As a student-focused, land-grant, research university, we serve our citizens.
VALOR recognizes Ally of the Year
Jim Stoddard
NDSU’s Veteran Alliance Organization, known as VALOR, has presented its 2020 Ally of the Year Award to Jim Stoddard, assistant director for veterans educational training in the NDSU Student Success Programs. Stoddard was recognized on Dec. 7.
Stoddard is the veteran coordinating officer regarding VALOR efforts. He joined the NDSU staff in 2016 after serving 24 years of active duty in the U.S. Air Force. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Union College in Schenectady, New York, and his master’s degree in national security studies from American Military University in Charles Town, West Virginia.
“Receiving this peer-nominated award means a lot to me because we have such an outstanding team of advocates for our student veterans at NDSU. I’m happy to know that the initiatives I’ve been coordinating in support of NDSU’s military students have been well received,” Stoddard said. “Our military veteran students face a lot of challenges returning to school to complete their education, or to balance college with the heavy responsibilities while serving in the National Guard. But they are extremely capable and motivated; they have a lot to contribute to NDSU and have potential for great success if we just help them make that leap from the military environment to the academic world.”
VALOR faculty liaison Carol Cwiak, associate professor of emergency management, said, "Jim is the beating heart of veteran services on the NDSU campus. He has consistently met the needs of student veterans both at an individual level and as a student cohort. I can say unequivocally that NDSU is the veteran-friendly institution it is in large part because of Jim."
VALOR’s mission is to improve the campus climate for student veterans and enhance their success. Student veterans include veterans, active-duty service members, reservists and members of the National Guard.
As a student-focused, land-grant, research university, we serve our citizens.
2019 Ally of the Year: Kevin Kettner
Congratulations to Kevin Kettner, VALOR's 2019 Ally of the Year. Kevin was awarded the inaugural VALOR Ally of the Year award on April 10, 2019 at the conclusion of the VALOR Presents presentation. Kevin has a long history of serving student veterans at NDSU. To learn more about Kevin and his receipt of this award see NDSU News: https://www.ndsu.edu/news/view/detail/37211/.