VET S.O.S. Presents Learning Lifeline

In this impactful episode of the VET S.O.S. Veteran Educational Resources Spotlight , we’re honored to host Dr. Mike Barany, U.S. Army veteran and Director of the Military and Veteran Success Center at Stockton University. Dr. Barany shares his powerful journey from serving as a Cavalry Scout in Iraq to becoming a national leader in veteran student support and educational innovation. We dive deep...

Welcome to another episode of the VET S.O.S. Veteran Educational Resources Spotlight , where we shine a light on institutions making a difference for veterans in higher education. This week, we sit down with Brian Caudill , Air Force veteran and Veteran Engagement Coordinator at Shawnee State University , for a candid and insightful discussion on what it really takes to build effective veteran sup...

Nick Drake, Director of the Jeffrey Wright Military and Veteran Services at North Carolina State University, joins us for an insightful conversation on VET S.O.S. Veteran Educational Resources Spotlight . As a captain in the North Carolina National Guard and a seasoned higher education leader, Nick brings a unique perspective on what veterans need to thrive in college—and how NC State is deliverin...

🎙 VET S.O.S. – Veteran Educational Resources Spotlight 🎙 In this episode, we explore Colorado State University’s outstanding veteran education programs with Dr. Ben Schrader , Director of Adult Learner and Veteran Services. Dr. Schrader shares his journey from the U.S. Army to academia , his research on veteran activism, and how CSU is leading the way in veteran support . Discover: ✅ CSU’s Vetera...

🎙️ From Microsoft to Military Education: How Divergence Academy Prepares Veterans for AI & Cyber Careers 🎙️ 🚨 Don't drown in the sea of transition—grab the VET S.O.S. lifeline! 🚨 In this episode, we sit down with Sravan , a tech industry veteran and visionary entrepreneur , who shares his journey from Microsoft to founding Divergence Academy , a VA-approved training school dedicated to helpi...

🎧 VET S.O.S. – Veteran Educational Resource Spotlight 🎧 Don’t drown in the sea of transition—grab the VET S.O.S. lifeline! In this episode, we talk with Aaron Hall , a U.S. Air Force veteran and Director of Military Student Success at Full Sail University . Aaron shares his firsthand experience transitioning from active duty to higher education , the struggles veterans face in navigating GI Bill...

🎙️ VET S.O.S. - Veteran Educational Resources Spotlight 🎙️ In this episode, we’re joined by Cory Shay , a PennWest University leader and Veteran Champions of the Year in Higher Education awardee. A veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom , Cory shares his own transition journey and how he now helps 500+ military-connected students access education benefits, including the GI Bill and tuition assistance...

🎙 VET S.O.S. Podcast – Veteran Educational Resources Spotlight 🎙 In this episode, Ryan Pavel , CEO of the Warrior-Scholar Project , joins us to discuss how WSP is helping enlisted veterans thrive in higher education . We cover: 🎓 How WSP’s academic boot camps prepare veterans for success 🤝 The importance of building a strong community in college 📚 How veterans can maximize their GI Bill benefit...

Transitioning from the military can be abrupt, but finding the right career path makes all the difference. In this episode, we talk with Jarred McNeely, Chief Academic Officer at Sonoran Desert Institute (SDI) , about how firearms technology and drone education are giving veterans and hands-on learners new career opportunities. 🛠️ What You’ll Learn: ✅ Jarred’s military transition and how he found...

On this episode of VET S.O.S. , we welcome Kristin Byerly , Director of Veteran Initiatives and Outreach at University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) . As a leader in military education , UMGC has built a strong global presence on military bases , supporting service members, veterans, spouses, and dependents. Kristin shares: 🎓 How UMGC ensures seamless credit transfers for military-connected st...

Are you a veteran, service member, or military spouse looking for the best education options ? In this episode, Patrick Adcock , Director of Military Programs at Excelsior University , shares his powerful transition story and how Excelsior supports military-affiliated students with transfer credits, competency-based learning, and maximized GI Bill benefits. 💡 What’s inside this episode? ✔️ Patric...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Randy Spade , the driving force behind Ashland University's Jack W. Liebert Military and Veteran Resource Center . Learn how his team revamped veteran services —growing from just 14 identified students to over 400 military-connected families ! In this episode, we discuss: ✔️ The journey of building a veteran-friendly campus from the ground up ✔️ Ashland’s...

In this powerful episode of VET S.O.S., we sit down with Andrew Roman, Director of Veteran Initiatives at Columbia Southern University (CSU). With an impressive 32-year career in the Michigan Army National Guard, Andrew shares his transformative journey from enlisting in 1986 to retiring as Chief of Staff in 2018. He candidly opens up about the challenges of transitioning to civilian life, emphasi...

In this episode of the VET S.O.S. Podcast, we sit down with Joshua Rider, Executive Director for the Center for Adult and Veteran Services at Kent State University. Joshua shares his inspiring journey from a Kent State undergraduate to leading initiatives that support military-connected students. Discover how Kent State serves its 1,000+ military-affiliated students through centralized benefits pr...

In this powerful episode of VET S.O.S., we welcome Dr. Joshua Cunio, a U.S. Army veteran with over a decade of service as an Apache helicopter technician and CID Special Agent. Dr. Cunio opens up about his challenging transition from military service to civilian life following a career-ending injury. Hear how he overcame adversity and found his calling in education and leadership, becoming the Dir...

In this episode of the VET S.O.S. Podcast, we are honored to host Duane Bygum, a 30-year veteran of the armed forces and current chair of the Disaster Recovery Institute (DRI) Veterans Outreach Program. With a distinguished career spanning the Marine Corps, Air Force, and law enforcement, including his role as Deputy Chief of Police, Duane provides a wealth of knowledge on the transition from mili...

In this insightful episode of the VET S.O.S. podcast, Shawn Welsh, a proud alumnus of the University of West Florida (UWF), and Dr. Hira engage in a heartfelt conversation with Lori Milkeris, the Director of UWF’s Military and Veteran Resource Center. Lori, an Air Force veteran and mental health technician, shares her compelling journey from military service to her impactful role in higher educati...

In this inspiring episode of VET S.O.S., Shawn Welsh and Dr. Hira welcome Patricia Wei, the Director of Veteran Outreach at Yale University, to discuss the transformative integration of military veterans into the world of higher education. Patricia shares how Yale has cultivated an inclusive and supportive environment for veterans, with a growing presence of 46 enlisted veterans in its undergradua...

In this impactful episode of the VERS podcast, we feature Daniel Avegalio, a Marine Corps veteran and trailblazer in higher education, as he shares his journey from military service to community college administration and his current role at Western Governors University (WGU). With 16 years of experience advocating for military-affiliated students, Daniel’s insights are both inspiring and practica...

Monteigne Long detailed her transition from K-12 education to higher education and her steadfast dedication to supporting student veterans. With over 14 years of experience in veteran services, Long has played a pivotal role in developing comprehensive programs and initiatives that benefit military-connected students across the Texas A&M University System, encompassing 10 campuses and serving...

In this impactful episode of VET S.O.S., Shawn Welsh and Dr. Hira welcome Chad Rairie, Executive Director of ValorAcademic, to discuss how his organization empowers veterans and military families to navigate and succeed in higher education. Chad, a U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran, Dartmouth graduate, and former senior policy advisor to the U.S. Department of Defense, shares his journey from milit...

In this episode of the VET S.O.S. Podcast, hosts Shawn Welsh and Dr. Hira welcome Alec Emmert, CEO of Service to School, for an in-depth discussion about the nonprofit’s mission to empower veterans to pursue and succeed in higher education. Since its founding in 2013, Service to School has supported over 20,000 veterans, partnering with 31 prestigious colleges and 20 graduate programs, including I...

In this compelling episode of the VET S.O.S. Podcast, hosts Shawn Welsh and Dr. Hira engage with Nick Lanier, Director of the Center for Veteran and Military Families at Regis College. With a distinguished military career spanning from 1999 to 2012, Lanier shares his personal story of transitioning from the U.S. Army to civilian life after a medical retirement at the age of 38. He discusses the ch...

Chris Brasel, Director of Military and Veteran Services at UNC Charlotte, reflected on his transition from the US Navy to higher education and the extensive resources UNC Charlotte offers to military-affiliated students. Highlighting the university’s historical commitment to veterans, Brasel shared insights about programs, events, and strategic advantages that make UNC Charlotte a prime choice for...

In this insightful episode of the VET S.O.S. Podcast, hosts Shawn Welsh and Dr. Hira sit down with Stephen Pusateri, Director of Military and Veteran Services at Simmons University, to explore the innovative ways Simmons supports its military-connected students and their families. Stephen shares his diverse career journey, reflecting on his time in Pittsburgh, where he wore many hats—including man...