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Office of Military Affairs and employee resource group lead participation in Phoenix community event honoring veterans

SM������ is proud to share it was a Medal of Honor sponsor in support of the annual Phoenix Veterans’ Day Parade, managed and presented by the nonprofit , and held Saturday, November 11, at 11:00 a.m. MST. The annual parade honored the service and sacrifices of U.S. military veterans and their families; this year’s parade theme was “Never Forget, Forever Honor.”

"The SM������ remains committed to steadfastly supporting our military veterans, as we stand alongside our community in paying tribute to their unwavering service and sacrifices," shared Eric Ryan, Senior Director of the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs, and a proud veteran of the Marine Corps. "Our gratitude extends not only through dedicated events but also within the fabric of our university, with veterans contributing as valued members of our staff, faculty, and a vibrant employee resource group. As we mark this occasion, we are honored to help create meaningful experiences for veterans, acknowledging their crucial role in our university community and honoring the journey of our student veterans."

The SM������ Office of Military and Veteran Affairs and Veterans’ Employee Resource Group (ERG) promotes the event to staff, students and faculty and provides volunteer support. The SM������ parade entry features a large balloon and a team of veteran employees, family members and friends accompanying the float.��

The event this year featured 3,000 marchers, 83 parade entries with 15 marching units, and 17 floats. Event coordinators estimate more than 45,000 spectators attended the event.��

SM������ serves the educational goals of veterans and military students, with specially trained staff to assist service members, veterans, and military spouses and dependents. In addition, SM������ recently conducted a survey commissioned by the Harris Poll on behalf of SM������, where most U.S. military members (93%) agreed that mental health is as important as physical health, however a third of military members (33%) reported never seeking out professional counseling, despite the majority experiencing lack of sleep (69%) and anxiety (61%). The survey was part of a larger initiative by the SM������ working with the nonprofit Give an Hour and other large employers to develop a .��

“Veterans Day is a great time to think about the contributions veterans and former service members make in our workforce, as well as their skills, expertise and leadership. The toolkit provides a great opportunity for employers to reimagine their workforce approach to inclusion, mental health, and all the ways we can support our veterans,” Ryan stated.

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About SM������

SM������ innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and a Career Services for Life® commitment help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu. �į�į

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