亚洲AV

Virginia recognizes Jennifer Connors with award for military education excellence

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Chief Master Sargent Jennifer Conners in US Air Force Uniform
Jennifer Connors. Photo provided

From one veteran liaison position and a single cubicle in the Office of Admissions to a full-service standalone resource center, the (OMS) at 亚洲AV has grown to support the more than 3,500 military-affiliated students.

The person behind this effort: Jennifer Connors, founding director of OMS.

鈥淛ennifer has been the visionary and architect of everything 鈥榲eteran鈥 within the Mason community,鈥 said Ryan Barnett, OMS鈥 associate director.

Connors, a former 鈥嬧媍hief master sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, said: 鈥淢y job for a very long time in the military was taking care of people.鈥

Connors is the first recipient of the Admiral John Harvey Career Achievement in Military Education Excellence Award, which was presented by the Virginia Department of Veteran Services in September.

This honor is awarded to an employee of an education or training facility who is directly involved in the delivery of military education programs and has worked at least five years with military-related students while demonstrating dedication and leadership in providing quality service, leadership, and innovation.聽

鈥淛ennifer and her team have created an inclusive, supportive environment for members of the military community in OMS,鈥 Alan Byrd, Mason鈥檚 dean of admissions, said. 鈥淚t makes all the difference in the world for our students.鈥

Jennifer Connors with the Office of Military Services team
Jennifer Connors with her Office of Military Services team. Photo provided

The award is special, Connors said, because it coincides with her 10 years of service at Mason.

鈥淚 have an incredible staff and student veteran population that got me to this point,鈥 Connors said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 reflective of our community as a whole.鈥

Since she was hired in 2011 as the first director of military services at Mason and the first female director of a college veteran center in Virginia, Connors鈥 role as a servant leader hasn鈥檛 faltered.

鈥淪he works tirelessly to remove barriers for students and to position them for success at Mason and beyond,鈥 Byrd said.

Connors said her work never feels like a job.

鈥淚'm serving my country by continuing our mission here at Mason to make sure that our veteran population is supported and a part of our community and successful,鈥 she said.

Connors does everything from providing student counseling sessions for benefits and academic support to giving feedback on legislation to Congress.

In November, Connors helped launch OMS鈥 partnership with Mason鈥檚 She also aided in creating Mason鈥檚 , a one-stop shop for Mason veteran support services ranging from mental health resources to legal and recreational support.

Connors said the guiding principle at OMS is 鈥測ou don鈥檛 leave anyone behind.鈥澛

Connors enlisted in the Air Force in June 1995, transitioned to the Air Force Reserve in 2010, and retired from the Reserve in July 2020. She became the first female chief master sergeant of the Force Generation Center while serving as superintendent from June 2018 until her retirement.

鈥淭hrough her tireless efforts, initiative, and leadership, Jennifer Connors sets the standard for military education professionals,鈥 Barnett said.