NDSU’s Veteran Alliance Organization, known as VALOR, has presented its 2020 Ally of the Year Award to Jim Stoddard, assistant director for veterans educational training in the NDSU Student Success Programs. Stoddard was recognized on Dec. 7.

Stoddard is the veteran coordinating officer regarding VALOR efforts. He joined the NDSU staff in 2016 after serving 24 years of active duty in the U.S. Air Force. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Union College in Schenectady, New York, and his master’s degree in national security studies from American Military University in Charles Town, West Virginia.

“Receiving this peer-nominated award means a lot to me because we have such an outstanding team of advocates for our student veterans at NDSU. I’m happy to know that the initiatives I’ve been coordinating in support of NDSU’s military students have been well received,” Stoddard said. “Our military veteran students face a lot of challenges returning to school to complete their education, or to balance college with the heavy responsibilities while serving in the National Guard. But they are extremely capable and motivated; they have a lot to contribute to NDSU and have potential for great success if we just help them make that leap from the military environment to the academic world.”

VALOR faculty liaison Carol Cwiak, associate professor of emergency management, said, "Jim is the beating heart of veteran services on the NDSU campus. He has consistently met the needs of student veterans both at an individual level and as a student cohort. I can say unequivocally that NDSU is the veteran-friendly institution it is in large part because of Jim."

VALOR’s mission is to improve the campus climate for student veterans and enhance their success. Student veterans include veterans, active-duty service members, reservists and members of the National Guard.

As a student-focused, land-grant, research university, we serve our citizens.