Jordan Robinson is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served from 2008-2014 at American embassies in Mozambique, Austria and Cuba. She currently serves as president of the Student Veterans Organization at the University. Robinson is pursuing a master’s degree in public diplomacy at the Maxwell School. She will serve as the master of ceremonies at the University’s Veterans Day ceremony on November 11.
What motivated you to join the Marine Corps? What did you take away from that experience that you will use throughout your life?
Jordan Robinson
The main reason I joined the Marine Corps was to obtain funding for college. Academia has always been my passion. Through the G.I. Bill, I knew I would be able to get a degree debt free. I always wanted to attend a top-tier university; therefore I made the decision to serve my country in order to receive the education benefits. Today, I am happy with that choice because I am now enrolled in the public diplomacy graduate program and I am well on my way to obtaining a master’s degree.
My experiences in the Marine Corps have taught me many values that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Such values include integrity, leadership, and courage. Throughout my life I have faced tough challenges and made difficult choices, but they are choices that I do not regret. I feel that my Marine training enabled me to be a person of upstanding values and moral attributes, and for that I am truly grateful.
Why did you decide to enroll at Syracuse? What is it that you like about the University?
I decided to enroll here because of how veteran-friendly they projected themselves to be. As someone who has always valued a sense of camaraderie and teamwork, I knew that SU was the right school for me. Additionally, I was really impressed by the television, radio, film program that the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications offered.
I understand that you serve as the Student Veterans Organization president. How does that organization serve students here at Syracuse?
The Student Veterans Organization has become the first point of contact for many veterans entering the university. From helping students to navigate their benefits to guiding them to various resources on campus, we provide a framework that empowers and enlightens veterans in their quest for higher education.
What other things are you involved in here?
I work as an intern at the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs. From writing press releases and feature stories to social media management, I am highly involved in the veteran community from many angles.
I am also currently a member of the Veterans Writing Group and I have a poem that is being published in the writing group anthology, anticipated to be released next year. As an SVWG member, I have worked closely with Professor Eileen Schell as a panel member for her class on “War Narratives,” answering questions about my experiences and service in the military.
What would you like to do after you get your degree?
My dream job is to become a foreign service officer in the U.S. State Department, where I would serve as a public diplomacy officer at American embassies across the globe.
