VET S.O.S. Presents Learning Lifeline

In this insightful episode, Robert Vigneault discusses his dynamic career path, transitioning from Air Force service to his impactful role in higher education at Westfield State University. Robert shares candidly about the challenges of transitioning to civilian life, highlighting the gaps he experienced in early transition programs and his commitment to improving resources for today’s veterans. W...

In this powerful episode of the VET S.O.S. Podcast, hosts Shawn Welsh and Dr. Hira dive into the University of New Hampshire’s Military and Veteran Services with Caitlin, the program’s dedicated Director. Caitlin shares her inspiring journey, transitioning from her work with the U.S. Army's Soldier for Life Transition Assistance Program to leading efforts at UNH to support military-connected stude...

In this compelling episode of VERS, we feature Jacquelyn Wolf, Veteran Military Service Coordinator at Springfield College, as she shares her journey from military service to championing education for veterans. Jacquelyn, a proud Air Force Reserve and Army veteran, opens up about her challenging transition out of the military in 2002, a time when structured support for veterans was scarce. She rec...

In this compelling episode of the VET S.O.S. Podcast, hosts Shawn Welsh and Dr. Hira welcome Alex Pirila, the Director of Military and Veteran Student Services at Loyola University Chicago. Alex recounts his transition from the Marine Corps to higher education, detailing the hurdles he faced during his early years after service, including a lack of resources and guidance. His story highlights the...

In this impactful episode of the VET S.O.S. podcast, hosts Shawn Welsh and Dr. Hira engage with Curtis Addleman, Executive Director of Military and Veteran Student Services at The Catholic University of America. Curtis opens up about his personal journey, transitioning from a decorated Naval career to the world of higher education, leveraging the Department of Defense SkillBridge program. This piv...

Dr. Wayne Taylor, the Director of the Office of Veteran Success at the University of South Florida (USF), shares his transformative journey from a decorated military career to becoming a champion for nearly 9,000 military-connected students. With a focus on creating inclusive and empowering environments, Dr. Taylor discusses the personal challenges he faced transitioning to civilian life, his real...

In this engaging episode of the VET S.O.S. podcast, hosts Shawn Welsh and Dr. Hira sits down with Dr. Jeni Hunniecutt and Abby Schmit, the visionary co-founders of VetREC (Veteran Research and Education Curation). Together, they dive deep into the mission of VetREC: a trailblazing organization committed to bridging the gap between academic research and practical solutions for veterans. By centerin...

In this episode, Michael Brown, Director of the Office of Veteran Military Service Members at Villanova University, delves into his transition from Army service to a career in higher education. Brown recounts his journey from military deployment in Bosnia to earning a degree in political science and applied ethics at Northern Michigan University, navigating the challenges of being a first-generati...