NAVPA

At National University in San Diego, Dr. John Santos, Veteran Center Coordinator, remains motivated by focusing on his goal of helping military-connected students feel like they belong on campus. He knows that navigating both higher education and the VA can be difficult, and ensuring students receive (and understand!) their education benefits is crucial for their success.

John has appreciated networking with his peers through NAVPA, and contributing to professional development opportunities for administrators . He brings that sense of community and support back to his campus, driven by his enthusiasm to create an inclusive community for veteran and military-connected students. In fact, fostering camaraderie is his favorite part of his job! True to his belief in the power of community, John uses every resource at his advantage when helping students. One of these tools is the professional relationships built through conferences and communicating with his NAVPA colleagues.

Not all veterans and students are alike, and John is an advocate for more people to understand that patience and empathy are important when meeting military-connected students where they're at. This makes a place like the National University's Veteran and Military Community Center a home for their students because they can meet peers with similar experiences and understanding for where they are in their transition to civilian life.

As for John, his sense of community extends to every veteran he comes across. He swears he can always spot a veteran - even across a crowded room - just by the way they carry themselves. Don't be surprised if you see John at the next conference or event reaching out to those around him, creating the community that he knows is critical for all veterans, military-connected students, and higher ed professionals who advocate for them!

🤠 Saddle up, partners — the clock is ticking!

Early Bird registration for the NAVPA Annual Conference 2026 rides off into the sunset on May 31, 2026.

Secure your spot today and join colleagues from across the country in Dallas, TX for bold conversations and veteran-focused impact.

Don’t wait until the last minute — register now!

At Ozarks Technical Community College in Missouri, supporting student veterans isn’t just a service—it’s a mission rooted in purpose, connection, and student success.

Led by a small but mighty team in Veteran & Military Services, Ozarks Tech is making a big impact through meaningful engagement and dedicated support. From volunteering and participating in national conversations through NAVPA to continuously improving the campus veteran lounge space, the focus remains clear: create an environment where military-connected students feel welcomed, supported, and set up to succeed.

That commitment shows up in powerful ways—like their Outstanding Student Veteran Scholarship, which helps remove barriers and open doors for those who have served. It shows up in the everyday moments, too—building community, listening to student voices, and ensuring veterans have a place to connect and thrive. And perhaps most importantly, it shows up on graduation day. Zack Wolfe, Director of Veteran & Military Services, believes there is nothing more meaningful than seeing student veterans walk across the stage, knowing the challenges they have overcome and the futures they are building.

At Ozarks Tech, they believe student success is about more than certifications or moving through programs—it’s about transforming lives and creating lasting opportunities.

Their advice for others doing this work? “Change is hardest at the beginning.” But with dedication, collaboration, and a shared vision, that change leads to something incredible.

📢 NAVPA 2026 Call for Session Proposals is OPEN!

Are you attending this year’s conference in Dallas, TX?
Do you have expertise or innovative practices to share?

We’re looking for presenters to lead engaging sessions that highlight strategies, lessons learned, and impactful approaches that support student success.

✨ This is your chance to contribute to a stronger, more connected community!

📅 Submit your proposal by May 22, 2026
https://www.accelevents.com/e/navpaconference2026

Our NAVPA member spotlight continues with University of Missouri, St. Louis!

The UMSL Veterans Center is driven by a commitment to positive change. Meet Martina Meng, UMSL Veterans Center Manager, whose mission is to make the educational journey for military-connected students as seamless as possible.

Martina’s advocacy goes beyond campus. She recently stepped into a NAVPA board member role and states that traveling to Capitol Hill to speak directly with the staffers of congressional representatives and senators has been her most meaningful NAVPA experience thus far. Martina found the encounter incredibly empowering, reinforcing her drive to advocate for UMSL students and student veterans nationwide.

Why is this work so personal? Because Martina has been there. As a veteran, she experienced the frustration of poor communication during her own education. She turned that experience into her "why," ensuring that UMSL students never have to worry about whether they have the information they need to succeed.

She is backed by a powerhouse team of three women School Certifying Officials (SCOs), including two veterans and one civilian with the most SCO experience among the trio, who are proof that diverse perspectives make for a stronger, more capable team.

Whether it's helping a student secure a scholarship or simply taking the time to sit down and walk through the paperwork, Martina and the USML team are dedicated to making sure students have one less thing to worry about.

📣 Registration is open for the 2026 annual conference in Dallas, TX from October 19-22.
This year's theme celebrates the bold, resilient spirit of both Texas and the incredible work being done to support Veterans, service members and military-connected students.
Learn more & register here: https://www.accelevents.com/e/navpaconference2026

We are proud to highlight El Camino College and the impactful work of Dr. Brenda Threatt, Director of Veterans Services. Through the Veterans Resource Center, Dr. Threatt and her team actively engage in honoring military‑affiliated observances such as Memorial Day, September 11, and Veterans Day.

“These days are opportunities to invite staff, faculty, and students into the experience of patriotism, loyalty, duty, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage—skills we all need to be better people,” Dr. Threatt shares.

El Camino also creates meaningful opportunities for military‑connected students to come together around shared meals, fostering connection, belonging, and care. The team believes that sharing food is an act of grace that strengthens community.

When asked what she loves most about serving veteran and military-connected students, Dr. Threatt - who has served in the military herself - responded: “I love that unnamed thing that happens in the soul of everyone who has sworn an oath. That thing that fuels love of country, love of people and a sense of responsibility for protecting what actually makes America great, and that is the Freedom afforded to everyone. That unnamed thing is a sense of patriotism partnered with humanism.”

Not only does Dr. Threatt stay engaged in NAVPA by reading up on the most current publications and information shared, but she also participates on the NAVPA board and tries to engage others who are involved in improving the processes for Veteran and military-connected students and their families. Through NAVPA, El Camino loves “meeting all the extraordinary people from across the United States who are working so diligently, who are also very passionate, and tireless in pursuing resources for veteran students and the Veteran population in the United States.” She also wants to highlight another amazing school - Long Beach City College and Rachele Ross, FA Specialist & SCO.

Thank you to El Camino College for the work they do to support our military-connected students in Torrance, CA, and thanks for being a NAVPA member!

👉 Time is flying by...lock in your early bird rate and register today!

🎤 Call for session proposals now open!

Learn more & register here: https://www.accelevents.com/e/navpaconference2026

Meet Raeleen Ziegler, Director of the Oldham Family Veteran Student Center at Missouri State University and a dedicated advocate for student veterans.

Raeleen’s passion for serving on the NAVPA Board comes from her commitment to ensuring veterans’ voices are represented at the national level. Since 2018, she’s served on the Board—and as Secretary since 2019—working across committees like Scholarship, Legislative, Finance, Registration, Conference, and Awards.

She’s most inspired by collaborating with VA leadership and professionals nationwide to improve processes that directly impact student veterans.

“What I love most is helping military‑connected students transition into higher education and watching them thrive. Their resilience and leadership make this work meaningful.”

Raeleen also highlights the behind‑the‑scenes complexity of veteran support—advocacy, navigating regulations, and bridging the military, VA, and higher education.

At Missouri State, she’s proud of the strong, welcoming community built for veterans, supported by faculty, staff, and administration.

Her message:
“Every challenge is an opportunity. Every military‑connected student has incredible potential.”

She also wants to highlight another amazing NAVPA school—the University of Central Missouri, led by former NAVPA Board Member Courtney Swoboda.

Thank you to Raeleen and her team for all the amazing work they do for our military-connected students and for being a NAVPA school!

📣 Registration is open for the 2026 annual conference in Dallas, TX from October 19-22.

This year's theme celebrates the bold, resilient spirit of both Texas and the incredible work being done to support Veterans, service members and military-connected students.

👉 Register today for early bird pricing until May 31st!
🎤 Call for session proposals now open!

Learn more & register here: https://www.accelevents.com/e/navpaconference2026