Inside the Troy to Ithica Class: How Stockton University is Redefining Veteran Education
Introduction: A Unique Academic Mission for Veterans
As more veterans transition into civilian life, educational institutions are rising to meet their needs with intentional, student-centered programming. One of the most powerful examples is the Troy to Ithica Class at Stockton University. This innovative course merges classical literature, military history, and cultural exploration to provide a holistic learning and healing experience for veterans and service members.
In a special episode of the VET S.O.S. Veteran Educational Resources Spotlight, Dr. Mike Barany—Army veteran and Director of Stockton’s Military and Veteran Success Center—gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the Troy to Ithica Class, sharing his own story and explaining how this course transforms the lives of student veterans.
From Combat to Campus: The Personal Mission Behind the Class
Dr. Mike BaranyDr. Mike Barany’s journey is a familiar one for many veterans. After serving in the Army as a Cavalry Scout and completing two combat deployments to Iraq, he left active duty in 2011. Like many transitioning service members, he wasn’t sure what came next. Enrolling in a two-year school to use his GI Bill benefits, he found a new purpose in education—eventually earning multiple degrees, including a Doctor of Science.
The turning point came when he lost a fellow veteran to suicide. That event compelled him to leave his career in the national security sector and dedicate his life to supporting veterans in higher education. His passion and lived experience now serve as the foundation for programs like the Troy to Ithica Class.
What Is the Troy to Ithica Class?
The Troy to Ithica Class, formally known as A Soldier’s Journey Home, is a veterans-only academic course offered at Stockton University. It uses classic literature like the Iliad and the Odyssey, paired with modern military-focused texts such as Achilles in Vietnam, Odysseus in America, and Retired of Colors, to explore topics of war, trauma, identity, and reintegration.
The course invites veterans to draw parallels between their lived experiences and those of ancient warriors. Themes such as homecoming, duty, moral injury, and loss are examined in depth, providing a unique opportunity for healing and intellectual engagement. This class is more than a study in humanities—it’s a transformative journey.
A Space Where Veterans Can Speak Freely
One of the defining aspects of the Troy to Ithica Class is that enrollment is limited to veterans and current service members. This exclusivity creates a safe and supportive environment, allowing students to be vulnerable and open in discussions about deeply personal subjects.
Dr. Barany co-teaches the course alongside Dr. David Roessel, a professor of Greek literature. Together, they bring academic and military perspectives into harmony. The result is a dynamic, emotionally rich classroom experience where veterans can process their experiences through both scholarly and lived lenses.
From Homer to Hellas: The Greece Experience
What truly sets the Troy to Ithica Class apart is its international study component. The course includes a 10-day academic trip to Greece, where students visit historical locations tied to the literature they study. Athens, Sparta, Olympia, and Ithaca come to life as students walk in the footsteps of the characters they’ve been reading about.
The trip is immersive and intense—not a vacation, but an academic mission. Dr. Barany is clear: “When you’re on my dime, you’re on my time.” Days start early and end late, filled with site tours, lectures, and evening breakout discussions where students explore heavy topics like PTSD, moral injury, gender dynamics in the military, and more.
For many participants, this is their first time traveling abroad outside of military service. The Greece experience redefines travel for these veterans, replacing memories of deployment with opportunities for growth, connection, and healing.
Making the Experience Accessible
Thanks to generous donors, the Troy to Ithica Class remains affordable for participating students. Most veterans pay only $250–$300 out of pocket for the entire Greece experience, covering minor costs like meals and museum entry. The majority of the trip is fully funded.
This financial accessibility ensures that veterans from all backgrounds can participate, and the results are remarkable. Students return with new perspectives, stronger peer relationships, and a deeper understanding of themselves.
Inclusive Support Through the Stockton Veterans Center
Outside the classroom, Dr. Barany and his team work year-round to support student veterans. Stockton serves over 375 military-connected students and has created a thriving Military and Veteran Success Center that includes a dedicated lounge, affinity groups, and a VA work-study program.
When Dr. Barany arrived at Stockton, only two student veterans participated in VA work-study. That number has since grown to 12, creating a reliable peer support workforce that keeps the center running and allows staff to engage in high-level advocacy and resource development.
The Evolution of Veteran Identity in the Classroom
Initially, the Troy to Ithica Class focused heavily on the combat veteran experience. But as the landscape of military service evolves, so does the class. Today, it welcomes National Guard and Reserve members—groups that often face unique identity challenges.
Dr. Barany makes it a point to relate their experiences to historical context. “The Greek military was militia-based,” he explains. “You’re walking the lands where the original citizen-soldiers lived.” This helps students see their service as valid and historically significant, even if it didn’t involve combat.
One example he shared involved a student who joined as a water purification specialist but ended up stacking bodies in trailers during COVID. “That’s not PTSD—that’s moral injury,” he said. “This class gives students the vocabulary and space to work through that.”
A Model for National Expansion
While the Troy to Ithica Class is currently offered only at Stockton University, the vision doesn’t stop there. Dr. Barany and his colleagues hope to see the model replicated across the country. Imagine multiple universities offering similar courses, all culminating in a shared academic pilgrimage to Greece.
The impact would be enormous—hundreds of veterans each year gaining not only education but also cultural exposure, emotional insight, and community.
Why the Troy to Ithica Class Matters
Veterans deserve more than transactional education benefits—they need transformational experiences. The Troy to Ithica Class stands as a blueprint for what’s possible when universities truly invest in their veteran populations.
It combines intellectual exploration with emotional processing, camaraderie with challenge, and historical context with modern understanding. Veterans leave the class not only as better students but also as more grounded individuals who have connected the dots between their past and their future.
In a world where so many struggle silently after service, the Troy to Ithica Class is a lifeline—a way to reclaim identity, confront pain, and move forward with purpose.
Learn More and Get Involved
📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube: youtube.com/@vetsospodcast
🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3PXqxzptNSgBuSXpgDpDPM
🌐 Visit: vetsospodcast.com
Don’t drown in the sea of transition—grab the VET S.O.S. lifeline.
