A Navy Veteran With a Way With Words Continues His Mission at Adelphi

Edward Mabrey chose Adelphi for its newly reduced tuition rates for online programs and the support offered at the Adelphi University College of Professional and Continuing Studies.

Edward Mabrey served in the U.S. Navy for eight years in the United States and Spain, and on the aircraft carriers USS Enterprise and USS Forrestal. He is now looking to progress in his latest chapter-as a performance poet.

He has successfully taught and performed poetry professionally for nearly 20 years in schools and colleges and even at the 2024 Summer Olympics. "Recently, I was one of eight poets selected to represent the United States at the 2024 Cultural Olympiad in Paris, France, as part of the Olympics," he reported. "I performed a poem at the closing ceremony for the Paralympics to signify the passing of the torch from Paris to Los Angeles, which will host the 2028 Summer Olympics."

Mabrey said he'd like to further his skills-and possibly become a professor someday-by continuing his education at Adelphi. He had already earned some credits for his military experience in the Los Angeles Community College District. This year, he is enrolled as a liberal studies major focusing on social sciences in the Adelphi University College of Professional and Continuing Studies (CPCS). He expects to graduate in 2025 and continue at Adelphi to earn his Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing.

Mabrey said the reduced tuition for College of Professional and Continuing Studies online programs was a key factor for him when choosing Adelphi. "A reduced price is a tremendous help in terms of life expenses and budget," he said. "As an adult with expenses, an enticing portion of school selection is a great program combined with a school that offers more assistance that does not equal large loans. I appreciate what Adelphi has to offer in its undergraduate and graduate studies programs."

Intentional Service to Military and Veteran Students

Adelphi's abiding commitment to veteran and military students is regularly recognized with awards and recognitions. Most recently, the University earned a 2024-2025 Military Friendly ® School Silver ranking, as well as a 2024-2025 Colleges of Distinction Military Support designation. Adelphi has also been named a Yellow Ribbon School for supporting military and veteran students throughout their academic journey.

"We don't take these designations lightly," said Shawana Singletary, Adelphi's assistant vice president and chief enrollment officer. "They mean we're making an effort to recognize the sacrifice vets have given to this country and provide them with the support they need where it matters."

Sandra Castro, PhD, associate dean of the College of Professional and Continuing Studies, is enthusiastic about newly reduced tuition rates for military and veteran students enrolled in the College's online programs for liberal studies, social sciences, business studies and a graduate program in emergency management.

"We've been intentional about servicing our vets," she said. According to her, these students-and their dependents and spouses-can enroll in a College of Professional and Continuing Studies online program at a cost of $250 per credit. "This means they can complete their degrees at a fraction of the price."

While GI benefits can often be exhausted in the pursuit of a degree, this new rate offers students a continued affordable pathway, with online flexibility, to degree completion. And, through the American Council on Education, Adelphi's veterans and military students can also often receive academic credit for their military experience.

An On-Campus Home

According to Singletary, the veteran and military students currently enrolled in College of Professional and Continuing Studies online programs can access all Adelphi has to offer, from in-person classes to resources such as the Center for Academic Support and Enrichment.

The Student Veteran Task Force, which includes the Office of Alumni Relations, arranges events that celebrate and acknowledge these students' service. "We invite alumni veterans to be speakers and connect with current students," Dr. Castro noted.

Located within the central College of Professional and Continuing Studies office in Levermore Hall, the Veterans Lounge, with its computers, flat-screen TV for virtual meetings, and comfortable area for studying and relaxing, is not just an information hub for vets-it's a second home.

Dr. Castro added, "Access to University resources, a dedicated campus space, and-importantly-the new reduced tuition through CPCS' online programs are mission-critical ways in which Adelphi serves its military and veteran students."