Shijun Zeng: Embodying the Spirit of Student Veteran Leadership
We are excited to congratulate Shijun Zeng, the 2024 Student Veteran Leadership Award (SVLA) recipient. His well-deserved achievement is further highlighted by his feature on the cover of the October Issue of G.I. Jobs, where he represents this year's 40 SVLA honorees.
Jonathan "JD" Due, Executive Director of the Center for Military Transition at the Raymond A. Mason
School of Business at William & Mary, nominated Zeng because "he embodies the very spirit of leadership that the SVLA seeks to honor." Dan Fazio, Managing Editor at G.I. Jobs, remarked on the profound impact of Due's nomination, stating that Zeng "truly exemplifies the qualities of a leader deserving of this recognition – so much so that they offered him the cover!"
Zeng said, "Receiving this award is a profound honor, reminding me that true recognition comes from the support of those around us. I am grateful to stand alongside incredible leaders from the veteran community and to carry forward the values instilled in me by William & Mary."
Currently in his second year of the residential MBA program (Class of 2025), Shijun has made significant contributions to the William & Mary community. An undergraduate alum majoring in chemistry, he graduated in 2023 and participated in the Flourishing Through Life Transitions program (held annually over the summer). "His commitment to excellence is evident in every aspect of his academic and extracurricular endeavors," said Due.
As JD eloquently noted, "Shijun represents the best of what we expect in student veterans at William & Mary and in the immense talent within our veteran population." His intelligence, drive, and discipline are matched only by his dedication to serving others. Whether providing invaluable feedback to staff and faculty or offering tutoring sessions to fellow students, Shijun consistently demonstrates a blend of intellect, creativity, and selfless leadership.
Shijun's recognition as the second military-affiliated student from the Mason School to receive this honor, following in the footsteps of MGJW Scholar Krystal Marchan in 2022, highlights the Mason School's commitment to cultivating exceptional leaders and has proudly maintained its status as a Military Friendly institution, a distinction earned repeatedly since the 2010s.
As we celebrate Shijun Zeng's accomplishments, we are reminded of the incredible impact that Student Veterans have on our community. His story inspires us all to strive for excellence, embodying the values of Principled Achievement that we hold dear at the Mason School. Congratulations, Shijun, on this well-deserved recognition!
