From Kaily White, Veteran Services Coordinator, University of Washington – Tacoma: “Alexis Perez is an outstanding Peer Advisor whose dedication to supporting student veterans goes far beyond what is expected. This Winter 2025 quarter, Alexis logged an impressive 2,640 outreach efforts, which is nearly a 50 percent increase over the program’s goal of 1,700. Her remarkable efforts not only strengthened the PAVE’s presence on campus but also significantly increased our outreach percentage compared to last quarter.

Her consistent commitment has made it easier to justify continued funding and support for PAVE at UW Tacoma. Alexis brings a unique and powerful perspective to her service. As a proud member of the Ojibwe Nation, Lac du Flambeau Lake Superior Band of Chippewa Indians, and the Kansas Prairie Band Potawatomi, her passion for helping Indigenous communities deeply informs her work. Despite balancing her academic journey in Environmental Science, her commitments as a Vet Corps member, and her cultural advocacy, she remains a consistent and positive presence in the Veteran and Military Resource Center. Personally, Alexis was the first friendly face I met when I transferred to UW Tacoma. Her welcoming energy and constant willingness to support others make her an asset to PAVE. She leads by example through compassion, reliability, and genuine care for others. For all these reasons and more, Alexis truly deserves to be recognized as Peer Advisor of the Month.”

From Alexis Perez: “I think that my work as a Peer Advisor is improving the college experience for my fellow student veterans by allowing them to feel seen, heard, and acknowledged. I do my best to be relatable by being genuine and transparent in personal experiences and outreach, which has been reciprocated with gratitude expressed by my fellow veterans. Based on exchanges with fellow student veterans, I think I’ve made at least a few feel that they are not alone in this educational journey, and that they have support and knowledge of resources should they need it. Hearing about opportunities or the results of a student’s work towards something paying off is one of my favorite parts. I also appreciate the gratitude student veterans share with me, particularly about the more vulnerable experiences where stigma may lie. Being able to brighten even one student’s day is ultimately my favorite thing.”