“The University of the Incarnate Word PAVE team has done a consistently wonderful job offering support to their veteran and military-connected students. They have worked diligently to bring PAVE support and resources to their students through both the main academic year and the summer, offering a wide range of creative outreach strategies and events to foster strong connection,” says Emma Czajka, PAVE Program Coordinator.

UIW currently serves 317 military-connected students on a campus where over 20% of the student body is military-affiliated. Their team comprises five Peer Advisors, three Veterans Services Coordinators, Team Leader Phillip Rangel, and Campus Champion Jonathon Lovejoy. Together, they have found innovative ways to make PAVE more inclusive and widely available year-round to veterans, active duty students, dependents, and graduate students. According to Phillip, they are able to operate PAVE over the summer “because of the online students and active duty students stationed elsewhere,” even having a fully remote Peer Advisor reaching out to other online students. 

The UIW PAVE team emphasizes the importance of supporting their students. “It boils down to letting the student know that they are included, they are supported, and they have someone here if they need them,” says Peer Advisor Elizabeth Rios. Their Peer Advisors, like Carlos Acosta, take a hands-on approach to providing that support, staffing tables at events like “Taco ‘Bout Mental Health,” and even giving one-on-one campus tours to new student veterans.

Another reason for their sustained success in supporting their military-affiliated students is having support from faculty and staff around campus, including two of their Veteran Services Coordinators, Karissa Vigil and Byron Perez, also occupying the role of School Certifying Official. Phillip explained that “One of the most important things is that departments around the university know that we exist. So the people from advising or financial aid will reach out to the PAVE team to talk to the student veterans.” 

The compassion and care that the UIW PAVE team shows for their military-connected students is invaluable, especially during a difficult time for many. “Transition is hard — PAVE provides a soft place for them to land,” says Karissa. 

Keep up the incredible work, UIW PAVE team!