The remarkable growth of programs and services that assist veterans and their families at Niagara University has prompted promotions for two members of the institution’s Office of Veteran Services.
Robert H. Healy has been named director of veteran services while Karl Hinterberger was appointed veteran services coordinator.
Niagara University maintains a student-veteran graduation rate of 62 percent, which is well above the national average. The retention rate for student-veterans at NU has hovered near 90 percent for the last several years.
Healy joined Niagara in December 2010 as the university’s first veteran services coordinator. During his tenure, the office has established and supported new programs for veterans, resulting in a 150 percent increase in the amount of students served.
A 30-year member of the United States Air Force, Healy possesses a bachelor’s degree in organizational management from Houghton College and a master’s degree in police and security administration from the University of Phoenix.
Hinterberger has been serving Niagara University’s veterans community for the last two years as an AmeriCorps volunteer. A United States Army veteran, Hinterberger graduated from Niagara University in 2014 with a degree in computer and information sciences.
Hinterberger first started working for the Office of Veteran Services four years ago, spending two years as a work-study student and two years as an AmeriCorps volunteer. During that time, Hinterberger established an annual disc golf tournament to raise money for a Niagara University scholarship that benefits veterans. In November 2015, Hinterberger coordinated the visit of Bob Wieland, a national speaker, to bring awareness to veterans on campus. His recent experience of being a Niagara student helps him quickly relate to the needs of student-veterans who are obtaining their degrees at the university.
“Over the past several years, Karl has worked hard for the student-veteran community at NU,” Healy said. “His distinctive accomplishments have made him a valued and trusted member of our team and I am so very grateful that this recognition has come his way.”
Niagara University’s ongoing efforts to support families who have served, or are serving, in the nation’s armed forces are cited annually by U.S. News & World Report as one of the region’s “Best Colleges for Veterans,” by G.I. Jobs magazine as a “Military Friendly School,” and by U.S. Veterans Magazine as a “Top Veteran-Friendly School.”