Ryan Luurtsema '19
Choose to lead.
Ryan Luurtsema
Hometown: Egg Harbor Township, NJ
Class Year: 2019
Major: Hospitality & Tourism Management Studies
Military Rank: Sergeant, U.S. Army
Whether in the Army or in higher education, Ryan Luurtsema is a natural born leader. He gave us some insight on his transition to civilian life three years ago and, now, we get to learn more about his advocacy for veterans.
How has life been since you graduated?
After graduating, I attended a Stockton Gala where I met with and networked with many people. While networking I learned about a military startup opportunity in development at Ocean County College (OCC). As I interviewed for the veteran coordinator position, the search committee learned about my involvement with the Student Veteran Organization (SVO) and military affairs at Stockton and what I was able to accomplish and represent as a student and decided that I would make a great addition for their Veteran & Military Resource Center (VMRC).
Outside of landing a dream job for any veteran, personally, I bought my first home; have two beautiful children, Charlotte, 3, and Jameson, 10 months; and established a career path that I didn't know existed: military and veteran advocacy in both higher education and community.
Ryan Luurtsema (2019)
Why did you choose Stockton?
Getting out of the military while stationed in Germany in 2016, the last thing on my mind was getting a degree. However, Tom O鈥橠onnell (retired Director of Military & Veteran Services) contacted me while my family was still living in Europe and took care of all the stress that a new student would fear: the application process, class selection and more. He then said to me, "If you want to make a difference, you want to stand out and be a representation of what an active veteran is, then Stockton is your new mission."
What kinds of programs did you implement once you started your position at OCC?
The first program initiative that launched my position and presence of New Jersey and Ocean County was the 2019 New Jersey Senior Leadership Summit, where leaders from government, military branches, non-profit agencies, and support groups to meet and discuss the stability of military and veterans of New Jersey and how to better mentor the transition success and experience of those families remaining in New Jersey after transitioning out of service. Primary topics were: higher education or education tracks, mental health, family resilience, job/career employment programs, and overall, an internal New Jersey mentorship program for both service members and their families.
Community based events include Ocean County College's first ever Veterans Townhall, which included veterans from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan and sponsored in partnership Representative Andy Kim (D-NJ). This program allowed five different veterans from five different war conflicts to share a dramatic experience of service, and how it shaped who they are today, to the people in attendance, which ranged from middle school 91视频, to graduate scholars.
I wanted to figure out how to reach the regional demographic for military and veteran advocacy, and I learned that OCC has a state-of-the-art television studio that has not been recently used; utilizing that platform, I directed and produced a televised program called Veterans Voices. This initiative allowed non-profits, community support leaders, and the 鈥渟mall guys鈥 out there on a platform, which allows their background advocacy, mission, and vision to the masses. Regionally, I think it is one of my bigger projects that I have worked on consecutively, having nine episodes, broadcasted several times a week, and reaching over 350,000 people. I can't beat it.
We heard that you recently received a prestigious award. Can you describe what it is, and how you feel about it?
The most recent is the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award in which factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all considered during the selection process. It鈥檚 truly humbling and an honor.
However, in 2020 I was presented two citations of excellence, one by Congressman Andy Kim and his team for community representation and involvement in military advocacy, and Mayoral Citation of Community excellence, by Mayor Maurice 鈥淢o鈥 Hill, of Toms River. That one specifically is special to me, because for those that do not know, Mayor Mo is a retired Rear Admiral from the United States Navy.
In 2021, I was titled the 2021 Veteran Champion of the Year in Higher Education by GI Jobs, the largest publication in the world to the military and veteran community, and Ocean County College was ranked #1 in New Jersey Community Colleges and 13th in the United States for military and veteran programs.
However, I don鈥檛 do this work for the accolades, although they鈥檙e nice. Advocacy is important and the more I advance, the more responsibility I have. I must represent the needs of my community. This is my passion.
What advice would you give 91视频 who are interested in transitioning careers?
1. Don鈥檛 shoot for the stars for accolades, shoot for personal growth.
2. Always forward, or Semper deinceps. It鈥檚 a motto in the Army and it means to remember that your journey is never going to be easy, but it鈥檚 your job to move forward, not backward.
3. Never fracture your integrity. If someone is challenging you and your values, that means that they鈥檙e afraid of the integrity they see within you. It鈥檚 your job to not let them make you lose it.
I would love to mentor 91视频, no matter the program.
