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64 G.I. JOBS | FEBRUARY 2017 | GIJOBS.COM BUILDING ON SUCCESS Rutgers-Camden, which has more than 400 student vet- erans, has continued to roll out new programs over the years. The OVA hosts career workshops throughout the year, inviting organizations like Amazon, Enterprise, Sherwin-Williams and the PA State Police to present their career offerings to the students. Davis has also created a hiring pipeline with these and many other vet-friendly organizations, and has established partner- ships with a range of outside veterans' services organiza- tions, such as VA offices and various VFW and American Legion groups, to further assist with job placement. Davis and his team also offer seminars on topics like PTSD and have partnered with the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania to facilitate free behavioral healthcare for all student veterans and their families. Under Davis' guidance, Student Veterans at Rutgers- Camden (SVARC), which is very active on campus and in the community, was es- tablished. SVARC holds a toy drive each fall for Toys for Tots – an effort spearheaded by Poller, who served as SVARC's president his junior year – and participates in a variety of other fundraising and volunteer activities. To support student veterans financially, Davis and his team created a $20,000 emergency fund by soliciting donations, and the money is available as an interest-free loan to stu- dents who run into financial trouble, such as unexpected car repairs. They've also established several scholar- ship funds in honor of fallen veterans, including Jeremy Kane, who died in Afghani- stan in 2009, and Joshua Pic- coli, an Iraq and Afghanistan vet who died unexpectedly after completing both under- grad and graduate studies in law at Rutgers. The OVA has special webpages on the university website dedicated solely to student veterans, as well as its own Facebook and Twit- ter pages. On social media, the program's impact is evident from the many rave reviews the OVA has received from grateful students. HIGH HONORS Rutgers–Camden received its official Purple Heart University proclamation and plaque and raised a Purple Heart flag during a special ceremony on Nov. 9, 2016, which 220 people attended. This isn't the school's only recognition for its efforts. It was named a 2017 Military Friendly ® School by this magazine for the seventh year in a row. At the Nov. 9 event, Belardo also presented Davis the MOPH's Patriot of the Year Award, which rec- ognizes individuals for their exceptional contributions to veterans. "Rutgers is providing outstanding support for vets and military personnel," says Davis proudly. "We offer truly valuable services that help our veterans every day. Our designation is real and what we do here is real. You can see that from the first time you contact us."