Rockland Community College (RCC) proudly inducted five student veterans into its chapter of SALUTE, the national honor society recognizing academic excellence and service among student veterans and active military members. This year’s honorees bring RCC’s total SALUTE membership to 114.
The 2025 inductees are:
RCC founded its SALUTE chapter in 2013, becoming the first community college in New York State to implement the program. The College was named a Military Times Best for Vets School in 2025 and currently supports 68 enrolled student veterans, including four active-duty service members and eight reservists. Membership in SALUTE is reserved for military and veteran students who have achieved a minimum 3.0 GPA and demonstrated leadership, character, and commitment to the campus and community.
“SALUTE honors the discipline, leadership, and unwavering academic commitment that our student veterans contribute to campus life,” said Jonathan Barnwell, Assistant Director of Judicial and Veterans Affairs at Rockland Community College. “Their accomplishments are a testament not only to their service to our country, but also to their drive for lifelong learning and pursuit of excellence in the classroom.”
Founded in 2009 by the Colorado State University Veterans Office through a grant from the American Council of Education and the Walmart Foundation, SALUTE is the first national academic honor society established specifically for student veterans and active military enrolled in two- and four-year institutions of higher education.
A unique component of the society is its four-tier system, designed to encourage undergraduate student veterans to improve their GPAs and advance to higher levels and scholarship brackets during their academic careers.
Each SALUTE chapter represents both academic excellence and continued service, honoring student veterans who pursue higher education while serving as role models for those who follow. New members are inducted every semester at ceremonies held nationwide, reflecting the ongoing academic achievement and dedication of the nation’s military-connected students.
In addition to the SALUTE chapter, The Veterans Affairs office of RCC offers multiple services to students who have served in the military or who are eligible for survivors’ benefits. A Veterans Counselor at the College can meet individually with students to:
The Veterans Counselor also certifies the student’s enrollment each semester to the Veterans Administration and helps students resolve problems associated with obtaining their benefits.
RCC maintains its position in the top 20% of schools nationwide, earning recognition in 2025 as a Military Friendly School for its commitment and services to veterans. For more information contact the RCC Office of Veterans Affairs at (845) 574-4105.
About Rockland Community College, State University of New York
Founded in 1959, Rockland Community College (RCC) provides students with a high-quality education that is both affordable and accessible. The College offers 35 degree and 3 certificate programs, and a faculty that includes Fulbright scholars and SUNY Distinguished Professors.
In addition to its main campus in Suffern, RCC operates a Hospitality and Culinary Arts Center in Nyack, and its Automotive Technology Center in Orangeburg. For more information about RCC, please visit sunyrockland.edu.
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