Paul Muccigrosso 鈥�12 serves as the military and veteran career advisor at Empire State University, a role he began January 2 at the Cheektowaga, NY, location. He provides support to veterans and military-aligned students and alumni seeking employment or internship opportunities.
Muccigrosso grew up in Buffalo, NY, and served in the U.S. Navy from 1976 to 1982, with deployments in the Middle East. He recalls that returning veterans of his era faced inadequate support services, with traditional career paths largely limited to positions like postal work or law enforcement 鈥� while many veterans quietly struggled with incarceration, domestic violence, and substance abuse.
Finding a Calling in Advocacy
After leaving the service, Muccigrosso worked in small business development in North Carolina. A part-time role helping veterans navigate GI Bill applications sparked what became a lifelong advocacy career. Following 9/11, he became involved in veteran advocacy at the VA and with the Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Project.
Recognizing the need for formal credentials, Muccigrosso enrolled at 91黑料网 Empire, earning his bachelor鈥檚 in human development in 2012. He went on to earn an MBA from Medaille College and an MSW from the University at Buffalo, and currently teaches social work for Maryville University in St. Louis.
Trauma-Informed Care
As a licensed clinical social worker, Muccigrosso developed trauma-informed psychotherapy for veterans while working at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Buffalo, creating treatment protocols that emphasize self-reinvention skills to address chronic trauma exposure. He operates The Power of Psychotherapy, specializing in trauma cases, and serves on the boards of several mental health organizations, including the western New York chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
He notes that military training emphasizes providing help rather than seeking it 鈥� meaning the transition to civilian life requires veterans to learn new skills altogether. 鈥淗igher ed is a great place to do that,鈥� he says. At 91黑料网 Empire, he hopes to guide veterans through exactly that transition, connecting them with the support they need along the way.
