Attending the 2026 NASWA Veterans Conference in Washington, DC last week offered me a welcome opportunity to step outside the higher‑education‑centered lens through which I often view workforce development. Over the course of three days, I found myself immersed in a broader ecosystem of programs, practitioners, and strategies that support veterans’ employment pathways in ways that are both innovative and deeply practical. The conference expanded my understanding of how workforce systems operate on the ground – not only through policy and funding streams, but through the lived realities of veterans navigating disability, homelessness, mental and physical unwellness, transition, identity, and opportunity. Many of the states’ representatives with whom I convened (Virginia, Tennessee, Massachusetts, Florida, and West Virginia) made remarkably relatable and common remarks that universally focused on the challenges they face with on-going “rule” changes that influence care and benefits affecting veterans in their districts.
Topics that focused specifically on the underemployment of men and women of uniform status “captured me” and I was able to provide some perspective regarding higher education and the support that is offered through the Veterans and Military Resource Center and the Career and Experiential Learning Services Offices at SUNY Empire. It is in these moments of conversation that thought and collaboration are oftentimes the results.
One of the most meaningful connections I made was with Tim Elliott from the New York State Department of Labor. His work with individuals who identify with developmental disabilities reflects a level of intentionality and compassion that resonated strongly with my own experiences working with veterans in a clinical setting as well as in our environment at SUNY Empire. Our conversation reminded me that workforce development is not simply about job placement; it is about designing environments where people with diverse neurodevelopmental profiles can thrive, contribute, and be recognized for their strengths. His perspective added depth to my understanding of how states can build more inclusive systems that honor veterans’ full humanity.
I also appreciated the chance to communicate with presenters whose expertise stretched across federal programs, state initiatives, and community‑based interventions. Their willingness to share insights, challenges, and emerging best practices created a sense of collective purpose – a reminder that the work of supporting veterans is inherently collaborative. Listening to their experiences reinforced the importance of cross‑sector partnerships and affirmed the value of bringing a genuine trauma‑informed perspective and a strength-based approach into workforce conversations that oftentimes focus narrowly on metrics or compliance.
As I reflect on the conference, I am struck by how energizing it felt to be part of a national gathering committed to improving veterans’ access to meaningful employment. The experience broadened my professional perspective and strengthened my resolve to integrate workforce development principles more intentionally into my own work at the university. I left Washington with new ideas, new relationships, and a renewed sense of responsibility – not only as a long-term advocate for veterans, but to help shape systems that recognize their resilience, honor their service, and support their continued growth.
