Veterans Alliance
Events and Membership
- Vets Virtual Office Hours:
- Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Access via Zoom; no appointment required
To become a member of the Veterans Alliance, please submit a membership form so you can be informed of upcoming meetings and events. There is no cost associated with membership and no time commitments. Members can attend as many meetings and events as they would like. Individual membership in ERGs is strictly voluntary and open to all individuals who are interested in joining. Refer to the ERG benefits and guidelines for more information.
Resources
- CMU Veterans & Military Community — Information on veterans education benefits, campus services, and the military and veterans community at CMU and in the Pittsburgh community
- Veterans Resource Center — Faculty, staff and student veterans can visit to get help with their many federal, state and local benefits; located in the lobby of the GATF Building on Forbes Avenue
- Veterans Leadership Program — Pittsburgh-based organization offering career development, housing, wellness and supportive services
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — Access and manage VA benefits and healthcare
- Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents Survivors and Caregivers [pdf] — a comprehensive listing of VA programs
- VetResources — Weekly newsletter with resources for veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors
- Veterans Place — Pittsburgh-based organization that empowers veterans to transition out of homelessness and helps at-risk veterans become engaged, valuable citizens who contribute to their communities
- Veterans Crisis Line — 24/7, confidential crisis support for veterans and their loved ones
News
- CMU students, faculty, and staff can save up to 60% on tickets to all Pittsburgh Opera performances with the promo code POCMU. The Pittsburgh Opera also offers a military discount for 20% off that any non-students can take advantage of with the promo code POMILITARY.
- CMU was recognized as a Top 10 Military Friendly® School in the Tier 1 Research Institution category for 2023–24, and has also been designated as a Military Spouse Friendly® School. Military Friendly® is the standard that measures an organization’s commitment, effort and success in creating sustainable and meaningful benefit for the military community.
- CMU received the Pro Patria award from Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). This is the highest level award that may be bestowed by an ESGR State Committee.
Mission Statement
To provide a community for active duty military, veterans and those who feel a kinship to support our veterans and military personnel across the Carnegie Mellon University campus, for sharing like experiences and interests, opportunities for engagement within the university community, and for providing outreach related to veteran and active duty military benefits from a variety of sources.
Leadership
Patsy Bulisco, Co-Lead
Patsy Bulisco is the Analysis Team lead for the Situational Awareness Team in the CERT Division of the SEI, where he is responsible for providing tailored assistance by developing best practices, tools, techniques, procedures and methodologies to protect and secure client information systems.
Prior to coming to CMU/SEI, Patsy had a 20-year Air Force career in cyber operations and intelligence, with multiple assignments at the National Security Agency.
Mike Danko, Co-Lead
Mike Danko has been with the university since 2008, first serving as the ROTC coordinator and then expanding his role as the veterans benefits manager and school certifying officer. In addition, Mike also works with the active duty personnel attending the university. Working with veterans and military related students comes naturally to Mike as he is a retired master sergeant from the Army and former infantryman with over 26 years' service.
"Having the opportunity to continue to care for veterans and other military related students is something that I enjoy and am grateful to be able to do. Expanding that consideration to our university employees with the forming of the Veterans Alliance is very exciting."
Mike has also established a Veterans/ROTC Center in the lobby of the GATF Building. "Providing a center where our employee veterans can come by to get the latest information about their benefits, not just from the federal level, but also the state and local Vet's offices, as well as what the local businesses have for veterans, will be very helpful — sort of like a one stop shop."
As a thank you for being part of the military community at CMU, on December 17, 2024, the Veterans Alliance co-leads delivered annual holiday cookie trays to their members and supporters.
As a thank you for being part of the military community at CMU, on December 17, 2024, the Veterans Alliance co-leads delivered annual holiday cookie trays to their members and supporters.
As a thank you for being part of the military community at CMU, on December 17, 2024, the Veterans Alliance co-leads delivered annual holiday cookie trays to their members and supporters.
As a thank you for being part of the military community at CMU, on December 17, 2024, the Veterans Alliance co-leads delivered annual holiday cookie trays to their members and supporters.
As a thank you for being part of the military community at CMU, on December 17, 2024, the Veterans Alliance co-leads delivered annual holiday cookie trays to their members and supporters.
Russell Griffin, a Veterans Alliance member, and his wife posed for a photo at the 2024 Soldiers and Sailors Cannon Ball. Russell was the recipient of the Veterans Alliance sponsorship.
On September 5, 2024, CMU hosted a Military Community Reception. The event was sponsored by the Carnegie Mellon Institute for Security and Technology, the Center for Student Diversity & Inclusion, the Center for Technology, the Center for Informed Democracy & Social Cybersecurity, ROTC, Veterans Alliance Employee Resource Group, and the Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy.
On September 5, 2024, CMU hosted a Military Community Reception. The event was sponsored by the Carnegie Mellon Institute for Security and Technology, the Center for Student Diversity & Inclusion, the Center for Technology, the Center for Informed Democracy & Social Cybersecurity, ROTC, Veterans Alliance Employee Resource Group, and the Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy.
On September 5, 2024, CMU hosted a Military Community Reception. The event was sponsored by the Carnegie Mellon Institute for Security and Technology, the Center for Student Diversity & Inclusion, the Center for Technology, the Center for Informed Democracy & Social Cybersecurity, ROTC, Veterans Alliance Employee Resource Group, and the Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy.
On September 5, 2024, CMU hosted a Military Community Reception. The event was sponsored by the Carnegie Mellon Institute for Security and Technology, the Center for Student Diversity & Inclusion, the Center for Technology, the Center for Informed Democracy & Social Cybersecurity, ROTC, Veterans Alliance Employee Resource Group, and the Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy.
On June 4, 2024, the Veterans Alliance invited CMU's veteran community to Light PT and Eats, an hour of camaraderie, breakfast and a short walk/run around the track.
On June 4, 2024, the Veterans Alliance invited CMU's veteran community to Light PT and Eats, an hour of camaraderie, breakfast and a short walk/run around the track.