VET S.O.S. Presents Learning Lifeline

Alex Blake joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into how Veterans Upward Bound supports veterans pursuing college, trade school, and certificate programs. As Program Director in Washington, D.C., Alex explains how this federally funded TRIO program helps first-generation and low-income veterans navigate education, access resources, and build community. In this episode, we explore: • How Veterans U...

Description: Scott Brower joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into veteran transition, higher education, and how service-based academic models help veterans thrive beyond the uniform. In this episode, we explore: • Why military transition can be challenging—even for senior leaders • How purpose and service drive veteran fulfillment after retirement • The mission and impact of the Bass Military Sc...

Description: Michael “Mac” McAndrew joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into how technical education and workforce-aligned training create powerful career outcomes for veterans and military families. Drawing on over 20 years of Air Force Special Warfare experience and his current leadership role at Texas State Technical College, Mac shares insights on education, transition, and purpose after serv...

April Blackmon Strange joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into how the University of Kansas supports one of the largest military-affiliated student populations in the country. She shares insight into building student-centric systems that help veterans, service members, and military families succeed in higher education. In this episode, we explore: • What makes KU’s Military Affiliated Student Ce...

Ryan Novotny joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into how veterans can successfully navigate military-to-civilian transition through professional organizations like the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) . A retired U.S. Air Force Colonel and senior construction executive, Ryan shares firsthand insight into SAME’s Career Transition Workshop (CTW) —a program designed to prepare veterans...

On this episode of the VET S.O.S. Veteran Educational Resources Spotlight , host Shawn Welsh welcomes Dan Roby , Vice President of Brand Expansion and Business Development at American Military University (AMU) and retired Chief Master Sergeant, U.S. Air Force . Dan discusses AMU’s 20-year legacy of serving military members, veterans, and their families through affordable, flexible, and mission-dri...

On this episode of the VET S.O.S. Veteran Educational Resources Spotlight , host Shawn Welsh welcomes Eric Kready , retired U.S. Army Military Police Officer and Director on the ASIS International Professional Certification Board . Eric shares the mission behind Operation Career Change , a suite of free transition tools that help veterans and first responders move into the private sector security...

On this episode of the VET S.O.S. Network’s Veteran Educational Resources Spotlight , host Shawn Welsh welcomes Stephan Murphy , Director of Georgetown University’s Military and Veteran Resource Center (MAVRC) . Stephan shares his journey from the U.S. Army to higher education leadership, revealing how Georgetown empowers its more than 1,500 military-connected students through intentional programm...

Join host Dr. Hira on the VET S.O.S. Network’s Veteran Educational Resources Spotlight as she interviews Jon Baldessari , Director of the Veterans Resource Center at the University of Miami . Jon shares the powerful story behind the creation of the VRC and its mission to empower more than 600 veterans and military-connected students pursuing higher education. From the Yellow Ribbon Program to the...

In this episode of the VET S.O.S. Network’s Veteran Educational Resources Spotlight , Dr. Hira welcomes Nikki Harrison from the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) —a true advocate for military-connected families. Nikki shares her story of resilience growing up as a military child, raising two sons while navigating life as a Marine Corps spouse, and now empowering others through MCEC’s missi...

UMSL’s Veterans Center Manager Martina Meng—first‑gen American, college grad, and Missouri Army National Guard sergeant—explains how her team delivers veteran‑inclusive support that actually moves the needle: Guard/State TA plus GI Bill walkthroughs, “start 60 days before class” timing, and a community space that keeps you connected (and enrolled). She also shares the center’s growth and the insid...

In this episode of the VET S.O.S. Veteran Educational Resources Spotlight , host Dr. Hira speaks with Mary Bier, MBA, President & CEO of the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) , about the critical work being done to support military-connected children. Mary shares her personal experiences as a military spouse and parent, her professional advocacy journey, and MCEC’s innovative programs...

Host Dr. Hira welcomes Kittie Clark , Military Services Coordinator at Augusta Technical College, to the VET S.O.S. Veteran Educational Resources Spotlight . With a background in process improvement and a passion for military student success, Kittie shares how Augusta Tech supports over 700 military-affiliated students each semester through: A Military Service Center offering VA benefits assistanc...

On this episode of the VET S.O.S. Veteran Educational Resources Spotlight , Dr. Hira speaks with Edward Lewis , Vice President of Operations at the Maritime Institute and retired U.S. Coast Guard Master Chief. Edward explains how veterans with maritime backgrounds can move directly into well-paying civilian roles without starting over—thanks to gap training programs, funding options, and strong in...

Mary Fisk, Marine Corps veteran and Student Veteran Career Counselor at Penn State University, joins us to talk about proactive veteran career support and how higher education can be a powerful anchor in the military-to-civilian transition. Mary shares how Penn State offers one-on-one advising, career fairs, lunch & learns, and hybrid-access workshops to support more than 3,000 military-connec...

Join VET S.O.S. for a compelling conversation with Eugene McFeely , Senior Director of Veteran Affairs and Services at Penn State University . From transition programs like the Veteran College Boot Camp to innovative campus initiatives like their student veteran facility dog , Eugene outlines Penn State’s commitment to supporting over 4,000 military-connected students across 24 campuses and their...

Join host Shawn Welsh for a compelling conversation with Eugene McFeely , Senior Director of Veteran Affairs and Services at Penn State University . From transition programs like the Veteran College Boot Camp to innovative campus initiatives like their student veteran facility dog , Eugene outlines Penn State’s commitment to supporting over 4,000 military-connected students across 24 campuses and...

Join us for an insightful conversation with William Elfering , Director of the Holcomb Center for Military and Veteran Resources at Oregon State University . With over two decades of military experience and a deep understanding of student veteran needs, Willie shares how OSU creates a welcoming, inclusive, and resource-rich environment for military-connected students. We explore: Willie’s transiti...

Join hosts Dr. Hira and Shawn Welsh on the Veteran Educational Resources Spotlight as they speak with Mike Carrell , COO of the National Veterans Leadership Foundation (NVLF). Discover how NVLF partners with over 75 colleges and universities to enhance the campus experience for veterans, military members, and their families. Mike shares lessons from his rapid military-to-civilian transition and hi...

In this value-packed episode of the VET S.O.S. Veteran Educational Resources Spotlight , we welcome Jai Salters , founder of ACT Now Education , to discuss FREE, high-impact certifications and professional development tools for the military-connected community. Jai takes us through a comprehensive overview of trusted, no-cost programs offering certifications in PMP, Scrum, Sec+, SHRM-CP, AWS, ITIL...

On this episode of VET S.O.S. Veteran Educational Resources Spotlight , hosts Dr. Hira and Shawn Welsh talk with Charles Yakubow, Director of Military and Family Support at Glenville State University. With over 22 years of experience as a social worker and a lifelong connection to military life, Charles discusses the unique support systems Glenville offers to both service members and their familie...

Veteran education is more than a classroom experience—it’s a journey of identity, resilience, and growth. In this episode of the VET S.O.S. Veteran Educational Resources Spotlight , we feature Kiran Mistry , Assistant Director of the UCLA Veteran Resource Center , who shares how UCLA is reshaping the future for veterans and military-connected students in higher education. Kiran’s inspiring path—fr...

🎧 You’re listening to VET S.O.S. – Veteran Educational Resources Spotlight , where we shine a light on powerful tools and career paths that help veterans and military families thrive during and after service. In this episode, we talk with Monika Sziron , Assistant Director of Editorial Strategy at HigherEdMilitary , about a game-changing opportunity for those transitioning from military to civili...

In this episode of the VET S.O.S. Veteran Educational Resources Spotlight , we’re proud to feature Dr. Trisha Nicole Ruiz, U.S. Army veteran and the founding Senior Director of Veteran Services at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas. Dr. Ruiz shares her powerful story of transition from military to college life, including the challenges of navigating a major Texas university with a youn...

In this powerful edition of the VET S.O.S. Veteran Educational Resources Spotlight , we talk with Mike Lorenz , Air National Guard veteran and Director of Military and Veteran Support at Boston College . With over a decade of military service and nearly two decades in higher education, Mike brings unmatched insight into what truly supports veterans through transition. Mike shares his personal tran...