Gen. George W. Casey Jr. (F’70) recalls that when he joined the university’s Board of Directors in 2014, Georgetown President John J. DeGioia asked him to focus on what the university is doing—and could be doing—for veterans on campus.
Casey, a retired four-star general, served as the 36th Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army from 2007 to 2011, and Commanding General of Multi-National Forces in Iraq from 2004 to 2007.
The board subcommittee he chairs is looking at everything, from the research about veterans taking place across the university’s three campuses, to services for the 1,200 students who are active military, military-connected, and veterans. “Georgetown is doing a lot of good things,” Casey says. “We could make ourselves an institution-of-choice for military veterans.”
Hoya Gateway, the alumni association’s online networking platform, plays a role as well. The platform, which connects current students with selected alumni for one-on-one career conversations, added an additional service and alumni-to-alumni platform in April: the Georgetown Military Network powered by Hoya Gateway. It quickly became the fastest-growing alumni group within the platform, adding more than 230 members by summer.
Built for career exploration, Hoya Gateway is an ideal space to connect active and veteran alumni with each other and the broader alumni community. “There’s a highly specialized nature among the military alumni group, with a focus on professional networking and transitions,” says Jeff Chapski (B’91), former president of the Georgetown University Alumni Association. “Hoya Gateway is an ideal match of functionality and those specific needs and goals.”
“Jeff really saw the opportunity there,” Casey says. “I was happy to give the first webinar and talk about my own career transitions.”
Georgetown Military Network member Joseph G. Canepa (G’85) enlisted in the Army Reserves after getting his graduate degree in Latin American Studies at Georgetown. A reservist for more than 20 years, a combat veteran and a retired major, Canepa is a now an attorney in New York. “People have a lot of questions about the transition to civilian life,” he shares. “It’s very worthwhile that there’s a network because these transitions aren’t always easy.”
LeNaya Hezel, director of Georgetown’s Veterans Office, agrees that networking opportunities are in high demand. “Through the Georgetown Military Network on Hoya Gateway, students who are pivoting their careers will be able to connect with alumni for mentoring or conversations about transitions and preparedness,” Hezel says.
To join the Georgetown Military Network, go to https://hoyagateway.georgetown.edu/hub/hoya-gateway/group/georgetownmilitary-network/about.
