Anna Friske of University of Akron is Our Team Leader of the Month! Anna served six years in the Army Reserves as a Licensed Practical Nurse and is studying Biology. She will graduate at the end of this semester and then begin a program at the Cooperative Medical Technology Program of Akron to become a Medical Laboratory Scientist. Mary Rossett, Veteran Services Coordinator at University of Akron, nominated Anna, saying, “She is a team player, possesses exceptional communication skills, and has a passion for patient care.”

Anna jumped at the opportunity to become a Team Leader, explaining how, at that time, she was struggling with her transition from the military into student life and missing her people. She says she “loved the idea of building a community on campus.” Anna has been instrumental in forming the tight-knit student veteran community at University of Akron, both as a Team Leader with PAVE and through her leadership role in her SVA chapter. She and a Peer Advisor once assisted a student veteran who was struggling to maintain sobriety. They worked with that student veteran to seek help and that individual is now doing much better.

As she comes to the end of her two years as a Team Leader, Anna says, “I want to leave the program a lot stronger and make sure it continues in this direction.” Knowing how vital Anna has been to the success of PAVE at her school, we are sad to see her go, but know she will continue to do amazing things wherever she goes. We’ll miss you, Anna!