Enlisting in the US Army following 9/11; Chad McFarlane served as an M1 Abrams Crewmember from July 2002 to September 2007; completing two deployments to Iraq with the 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized). Chad received an Army Commendation Medal and two Army Achievement Medals and was honorably discharged in September 2007. After returning to Rhode Island in 2010, he found his passion in working toward Veterans’ access to higher education.

Through this work, Chad learned that the intrinsic values of camaraderie and esprit de corps that bind veterans together are the same values that can heal the wounds of society and he continues to work toward that end today.

Chad has gained valuable experience across nonprofit, government, and private sectors; working as the Military & Veterans Affairs Coordinator in the Office of Congressman David Cicilline; Early Career, University, and Veteran recruiting with General Dynamics; and finally as Talent Acquisition Manager at Neighborhood Healthcare based in San Diego, CA.

Chad got his start with SVA as a chapter leader at the Community College of Rhode Island and is proud that his career has come full circle; once again working directly with student veterans and helping them maximize their potential.