UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State's first University-wide Employee Resource Group (ERG) for military servicemembers, veterans, and their families and allies was unveiled on Nov. 10 during the annual Penn State Military Service Appreciation breakfast in Heritage Hall in the HUB Robeson Cultural Center.

Vet-aLIONce is one of two recently launched University-wide ERGs, which are voluntary, employee-led groups open to all staff and faculty. ERGs are created by employees around common identities, backgrounds or interests, and they promote community and belonging while also supporting employee personal growth and career development.

Vet-aLIONce aims to engage, connect and unite Penn State's military-affiliated employees and allies through a collaborative and diverse alliance devoted to military community advocacy, support and mentorship. It will also work to empower the personal and professional growth of its members and enhance Penn State’s mission and higher education outcomes for the University as a whole. Penn State faculty, staff and graduate assistants who are servicemembers (active, guard and reserve), veterans, military family members, or non-military allies, can be members of this ERG.

Eugene McFeely, senior director for Veterans Affairs and Services and co-lead of Vet-aLIONce, said this ERG will not only benefit its members but also the entire Penn State community and local communities around the University's campuses.

“Connection and support are important components of a thriving military-connected community, and while we already had small informal pockets of this across the University, now we have the opportunity to unite as a larger group through Penn State’s ERG initiative to help each other and enhance the University’s mission in a powerful way,” McFeely said. 

McFeely said he believes that programs and resources available to student veterans at Penn State can benefit faculty and staff, while faculty and staff veterans can help mentor student veterans, with Vet-aLIONce providing the support needed to make this happen.

Sharon Lucas, operations analyst in the Office of Investment Management serves as the other co-lead of Vet-aLIONce. Lucas was the lead organizer of this year’s annual Penn State Military Service Appreciation breakfast, which was sponsored by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion in Finance and Business, Veterans Affairs and Services, the Office of Veterans Programs, and Human Resources. Military and veteran attendees at this year’s breakfast had access to information about government and University resources, and they received a copy of the book “Hang Tough” by author and Penn State faculty member Jared Frederick, who spoke at the event.

Lucas has been an advocate for Penn State’s military-connected employees and their allies, initially through a unit-level ERG in Penn State Finance and Business. She has earned the moniker of “Vet Lady” at Penn State for her advocacy for the past two decades of employees who are veterans.

Bill Sitzabee, vice president for facilities planning and management and the executive sponsor for Vet-aLIONce, stressed that this ERG continues a long tradition of service, not only by those deployed but also by family members.

"I am honored to support Vet-aLIONce, an initiative that truly embodies our core value of service before self. It is in our military DNA to serve others, support each other, and when needed, lean on each other for help. This resource group is focused on creating a community to do just that,” Sitzabee said. “The ERG extends a hand to veterans, families and allies, in both giving and seeking help when needed. It's a powerful embodiment of continued service and our shared commitment to the community.” 

Nalini Krishnankutty, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging program manager for Penn State Human Resources, is helping launch and manage the University-wide ERGs. She said Vet-aLIONce leaders have already helped with socializing the new feature for an employee to voluntarily add their military status to their personal information profile in Workday.

“Vet-aLIONce and other ERGs can benefit our Penn State community and climate in multiple ways and also contribute to achieving all six of President Neeli Bendapudi’s goals — from enhancing student success to serving our land-grant mission, achieving research excellence and more,” Krishnankutty said.

Those interested in joining the Vet-aLIONce ERG should email vet-alionce-erg@psu.edu. New University-wide ERGs will be launched based on interest from different communities. Any employee interested in starting a new ERG can send an email to ergs@psu.edu for further information.

Additionally, virtual information sessions on ERGs are being planned for each semester and will be offered via the Learning Resource Network.