NU signs pledge at DoD-sponsored Arlington Virginia ceremony honoring its commitment as a respected employer supporting the unique talents and changing needs of its current and future employees serving in the Guard and Reserve.
SAN DIEGO, CA (DECEMBER 20, 2022) — National University, the veteran-founded nonprofit university serving 40,000 working adult learners, educators, and members of the military community joined hundreds of top employers to sign the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Statement of Support on Friday, December 16, 2022.
The signing ceremony took place in front of the Women in Military Service for America Memorial located at the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. NU’s statement of support signifies the institution’s deep commitment to the program and specifically being a first responder in veteran employment.
The event is part of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a Department of Defense office celebrating its 50th Anniversary since being established “to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers,” according to ESGR. The tradition began in 1972, when the Chairman of the Board of General Motors was first to sign the pledge in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Another key milestone was achieved in 2005 when all agency Cabinet Secretaries in the federal government signed their support.
“Our culture for serving those in uniformed services through education also began in the early 1970s when National University was established in San Diego by Retired Navy Captain David Chigos who set out to provide education opportunities to adult learners,” stated National University’s Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships, Military and VA Programs, Desiree Butts. “Our ability to deliver on our longstanding commitment is made even stronger by the outstanding contributions of our many employees serving in the Guard or Reserve, in addition to our veterans.”
As a Statement of Support Program signatory, National University pledged the following:
- We fully recognize, honor, and comply with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.
- We will provide our managers and supervisors with the tools they need to effectively manage employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.
- We appreciate the values, leadership, and unique skills Service members bring to the workforce and will encourage opportunities to hire Guardsmen, Reservists, and Veterans.
- We will continually recognize and support our country’s Service members and their families, in peace, in crises, and in war.
ESGR is described as a “voice of the members of the Guard and Reserve—it also very much works for the nation’s patriotic employers,” according to the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service’s ESGR Mission Video. “It offers free services helping employees and employers understand USERA, the federal employment protection law for servicemembers.”
About National University: National University, a veteran-founded nonprofit, has been dedicated to meeting the needs of hard-working adults by providing accessible, affordable, achievable higher education opportunities since 1971. As San Diego’s largest private nonprofit university, NU offers over 100 online and on-campus programs and flexible four-week classes designed to help students reach their goals while balancing busy lives. Since its founding, the NU community has grown to 40,000 students and 200,000 alumni around the globe, many of whom serve in helping industries such as business, education, health care, cybersecurity, and law and criminal justice. Learn more at NU.edu