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Chris Emerson
ESF Connects Student Veterans to NRCS Internships Through New Grant
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Nov. 11, 2024 — Military veterans pursuing careers in conservation, natural sciences, or agriculture will gain additional support at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) through a new grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
The $420,000 five-year grant builds on the success of a one-year pilot grant in 2023, continuing to provide internships designed to help student veterans enter public service careers within the NRCS.
The program has three core elements: career support, funded internships, and professional development.
“ESF’s specialized programs make us an ideal fit for this grant, allowing us to deliver a customized curriculum that aligns with the NRCS’s mission,” said John Turbeville, director of career services. "The fact that our veteran students can participate in these fully funded internships during the school year speaks to NRCS’s flexibility and dedication to supporting veterans.”
The initiative also offers veteran students career development resources, including training in federal resume building, navigating the USA Jobs platform, and direct pathways to NRCS positions.. It supports professional development through fully funded attendance at conferences such as the Society of American Foresters (SAF) Conference.
U.S. Army veteran Chris Emerson, a senior in forest resources management, is ESF’s veteran liaison. A former Specialist and Forward Observer with the 10th Mountain Division, Emerson served from 2016-2021, including a tour in Afghanistan, He now uses his experience to advocate for veterans, guiding them through campus resources and pathways to NRCS internships. His efforts ensure veterans have an on-campus advocate dedicated to addressing their unique challenges during their transition to civilian life.
“I’m able to serve as their advocate and bridge to the opportunities ESF and NRCS are committed to providing,” said Emerson.
Recognizing that veterans manage commitments outside of school — family, work, and the transition back to civilian life — ESF’s program is designed to respect these needs by offering flexibility and real-world opportunities.
“Our veterans don’t just need a club; they need a serious, credible advocate who understands the unique challenges they face,” said Emerson. “This role allows me to be that single point of contact, the translator, and the advocate, making sure their voices are heard and their needs met.”
About SUNY ESF
The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is dedicated to the study of the environment, developing renewable technologies, and building a sustainable and resilient future through design, policy, and management of the environment and natural resources. Members of the College community share a passion for protecting the health of the planet and a deep commitment to the rigorous application of science to improve the way humans interact with the world. The College offers academic programs ranging from the associate of applied science to the Doctor of Philosophy. ESF students live, study and do research on the main campus in Syracuse, N.Y., and on 25,000 acres of field stations in a variety of ecosystems across the state.