Veterans Alliance

To become a member of the Veterans Alliance employee resource group, please submit a membership form so you can be informed of upcoming meetings and events. There is no cost associated with membership and no time commitments. Members can attend as many meetings and events as they would like. Individual membership in ERGs is strictly voluntary and open to all employees who are interested in joining, regardless of identity. Refer to the ERG benefits and guidelines for more information.

• Vets Virtual Office Hours:
  • Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
  • Access via Zoom; no appointment required

Resources

• CMU Veterans & Military Community — Information on veterans education benefits, campus services, and the military and veterans community at CMU and in the Pittsburgh community
• Veterans Resource Center — Faculty, staff and student veterans can visit to get help with their many federal, state and local benefits; located in the lobby of the GATF Building on Forbes Avenue
• Veterans Leadership Program — Pittsburgh-based organization offering career development, housing, wellness and supportive services
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — Access and manage VA benefits and healthcare
• Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents Survivors and Caregivers [pdf] — a comprehensive listing of VA programs
• VetResources — Weekly newsletter with resources for veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors
• Veterans Place — Pittsburgh-based organization that empowers veterans to transition out of homelessness and helps at-risk veterans become engaged, valuable citizens who contribute to their communities
• Veterans Crisis Line — 24/7, confidential crisis support for veterans and their loved ones

Leadership

Patsy Bulisco, Co-Lead

Patsy Bulisco is the Analysis Team lead for the Situational Awareness Team in the CERT Division of the SEI, where he is responsible for providing tailored assistance by developing best practices, tools, techniques, procedures and methodologies to protect and secure client information systems.

Prior to coming to CMU/SEI, Patsy had a 20-year Air Force career in cyber operations and intelligence, with multiple assignments at the National Security Agency.

Mike Danko, Co-Lead

Mike Danko has been with the university since 2008, first serving as the ROTC coordinator and then expanding his role as the veterans benefits manager and school certifying officer. In addition, Mike also works with the active duty personnel attending the university. Working with veterans and military related students comes naturally to Mike as he is a retired master sergeant from the Army and former infantryman with over 26 years' service.

"Having the opportunity to continue to care for veterans and other military related students is something that I enjoy and am grateful to be able to do. Expanding that consideration to our university employees with the forming of the Veterans Alliance is very exciting."

Mike has also established a Veterans/ROTC Center in the lobby of the GATF Building. "Providing a center where our employee veterans can come by to get the latest information about their benefits, not just from the federal level, but also the state and local Vet's offices, as well as what the local businesses have for veterans, will be very helpful — sort of like a one stop shop."