Walsh University has created a Center for Veteran Affairs. Here's what to know

Kelli Weir, The Repository
·2 min read
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Walsh University
Walsh University

NORTH CANTON – Walsh University has created a Center for Veteran Affairs to help student veterans, military member students and their families.

President Tim Collins, a combat U.S. Air Force veteran, said the center continues a legacy of service that began with Walsh’s founding in 1960.

“Since the Brothers of Christian Instruction came here to Stark County and built Walsh University, we have always been a military friendly school,” Collins said. “We continue that legacy today, as we now focus on adding to the richness of the diversity of the veterans that are in our community as students, as coaches, as faculty, as staff.”

Walsh, a Yellow Ribbon university that helps veterans with tuition, recently was designated a Top Ten Military Friendly School by Viqtory Media, ranking fourth among private schools offering a doctorate.

How many Walsh students are connected to the military?

Walsh enrolls 37 students who receive military benefits. Rebecca Coneglio, vice president for enrollment management, said the private university of 2,311 students hopes to grow that number with the launch of the center.

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Who will lead the center?

Walsh has hired Joshua Ruiz, a 2021 Walsh graduate and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, as its first veterans affairs coordinator. Ruiz will work as a liaison for veteran and military students, providing resources related to health, wellness and the benefits available through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Department of Defense and other local, state and federal agencies. He also will be responsible for recruiting potential military students, creating programs designed for military-connected students and leading a review of university policies to create military friendly changes.

Walsh University has hired Joshua Ruiz, a 2021 Walsh graduate and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, to the newly created position of veterans affairs coordinator.
Walsh University has hired Joshua Ruiz, a 2021 Walsh graduate and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, to the newly created position of veterans affairs coordinator.

Ruiz served in the Marines from 2008 until being honorably discharged in 2016. During his tenure, he was deployed to Afghanistan, served with the Combat Logistics Battalion 15 and earned the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal. Ruiz, who married U.S. Navy veteran and 2005 Walsh graduate Tiffany Geis, used his military benefits to enroll at Walsh in 2017 while working for a telecommunications company. He graduated from Walsh in May 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in education.

Where is the Center for Veteran Affairs located?

Coneglio said plans are underway to establish an on-campus space for the center where current and incoming students can meet with Ruiz. His office currently is located in the Office of Admissions.

Reach Kelli at 330-580-8339 or kelli.weir@cantonrep.com.

On Twitter: @kweirREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Walsh University opens Center for Veteran Affairs, hires coordinator