Virginia Tech inducted as member of Military Spouse Employment Partnership

Virginia Tech has been inducted as a partner in the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) during their two-day event, further solidifying its commitment to supporting military and military-connected communities by fostering career opportunities for military spouses.

The induction ceremony, held on Jan. 29 in Arlington, VA, welcomed 234 new employer partners, including Chipotle, Fiserv, Peloton, and the Virginia Department of Veteran Services. As part of the ceremony, Bryan Garey, vice president for human resources at Virginia Tech, and Maura Gardner, military spouse and division director of human resources for the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus and D.C.-Metro Area, delivered remarks that emphasized the university’s dedication to hiring and supporting military spouses.

“This partnership is an extension of our ongoing support to veterans and their families,” said Garey. “While we already employ many military spouses at Virginia Tech, this program expands our reach to connect with this talented pool of professionals, helping them identify Virginia Tech as a place for a fulfilling career. It’s truly an honor to be recognized by MSEP and to be part of this national effort.”

Gardner spoke personally about the challenges faced by military spouses and the importance of creating opportunities to help them succeed. “I believe that, as we climb through our careers, we should do so with one hand forward and one behind to help raise others with us.”

Established in 2011, MSEP has connected more than 340,000 military spouses to job opportunities through its more than 850 employer and nonprofit partners. According to the DoD, military spouses experience a 21 percent unemployment rate and a 25 percent wage gap compared to their civilian counterparts, despite their high levels of education and qualifications. With 77 percent of military spouses wanting or needing work, MSEP bridges the gap between them and prospective employers.

Deborah Bradbard, director of the Boeing Center for Veteran Transition and Military Families, encouraged Garey and Gardner to apply to become part of the partnership. She delivered remarks on Jan. 30, the second day of the event, that emphasized the importance of this partnership to the Boeing Center.

“Military spouse employment is one of our priorities,” she said. “MSEP connects us to like-minded employers that share and develop best practices, resolve barriers, and communicate to military spouses that there is an entire ecosystem in place at Virginia Tech and among Virginia employers to support them in their career journey.”

The Jan. 29 event featured additional remarks from key military and government officials, including C. Eddy Mentzer, associate director of military family readiness policy; Lee Kelley, principal director of military community and family policy; Jeffrey Angers, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for manpower and reserve affairs; and Tim Dill, assistant secretary of defense for manpower and reserve affairs. The ceremony concluded with closing remarks from Sharene Brown, spouse of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who reinforced the importance of supporting military families through employment initiatives.

Garey hopes this partnership will help Virginia Tech become an employer of choice for more military spouses. “As part of our strategy to be a destination for talent, this is a win-win-win: Virginia Tech secures the talent of an amazing group of professionals, veterans see their spouse in a fulfilling career, and the military continues to grow and support the men and women who serve.”

Read more about how Virginia Tech leads the way in veteran hiring, earning top state recognition and creating pathways to civilian careers.