Student Veterans of America Names Cory Boatwright President and CEO
WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 14, 2026) — Student Veterans of America (SVA) today announced that its Board of Directors has selected Cory Boatwright as the organization’s permanent President and Chief Executive Officer, effective today.
Boatwright has served as Interim President and CEO since January 2026, when SVA announced a national search for its next permanent leader during the organization’s 18th Annual National Conference (NatCon). In his permanent role, Boatwright will continue leading SVA’s mission to empower student veterans and strengthen the chapter network that supports them to, through, and beyond higher education.
“When the Board launched a national search, we set a high bar for SVA’s next President and CEO,” said Scott Blackburn, Board Chair, Student Veterans of America. “Cory brings lived experience as a veteran and student veteran, deep commitment to our chapters, and the leadership vision and operating experience needed to guide SVA through a pivotal time for student veterans nationwide.”
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Strengthening the Board for SVA’s Next Chapter
As part of its ongoing commitment to strong governance, SVA also announced three new additions to its Board of Directors: JoAnne Bass and Brynt Parmeter will serve as Directors, and Shannon Smith will serve as Treasurer.
JoAnne Bass served as the 19th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, the senior enlisted leader responsible for representing the interests of more than 600,000 Total Force Airmen. With more than three decades of leadership experience, she brings expertise in organizational culture, workforce development, and leading large, complex organizations through change.
Brynt Parmeter is the Howard G. & S. Louise Phanstiel Chair in Leadership at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School and previously served as the inaugural Chief Talent Management Officer for the U.S. Department of Defense. A combat veteran with nearly 25 years of U.S. Army service, he brings extensive experience in policy, strategy, public-private partnerships, and workforce development.
Shannon Smith is Vice President and Senior Strategic Advisor to the CFO at CVS Health and a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves. As SVA’s Treasurer, she will support Board oversight of financial strategy, accountability, and long-range sustainability to advance student veteran success.
Looking Ahead
SVA will share additional updates in the coming months as Boatwright and the Board advance priorities that strengthen chapter support and student veteran success nationwide.
Read a message from the SVA Board Chair: Welcoming Cory Boatwright as President and CEO
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About Student Veterans of America
With a focused mission on empowering student veterans, Student Veterans of America® (SVA) is committed to providing an educational experience that goes beyond the classroom. Through a dedicated network of over 1,600 on-campus chapters in all 50 states and 4 countries representing nearly 600,000 student veterans, SVA aims to inspire yesterday’s warriors by connecting student veterans with a community of like-minded chapter leaders. Every day these passionate leaders work to provide the necessary resources, network support, and advocacy to ensure student veterans can effectively connect, expand their skills, and ultimately achieve their greatest potential. For more information, visit us at www.studentveterans.org.