From Alex Ortega, Veteran Services Coordinator, California State University, Fullerton: “Stephanie consistently demonstrates the leadership, integrity, and servant-hearted commitment that define the spirit of PAVE. She leads by example—showing up prepared, dependable, and fully invested in the success and well-being of the students she supports. Her ability to build genuine connections with fellow student veterans fosters trust, belonging, and meaningful engagement within our community.

Stephanie is a creative leader that is constantly looking for ways to innovate the way we deliver our services. Stephanie goes beyond fulfilling responsibilities; she takes ownership of her role and actively looks for ways to strengthen outreach, mentorship, and collaboration. She brings professionalism, empathy, and initiative to every interaction, ensuring that no student feels overlooked or unsupported. Her leadership reflects not only competence, but heart—she embodies the mission of PAVE by empowering others through connection and shared experience. Stephanie’s impact is felt in both the measurable outcomes of engagement and the intangible culture of support she helps cultivate. Working with Stephanie has been a true honor, she is what our department as a whole strives to be.”

From Stephanie Ramos: “Since stepping into the Team Leader role, I’m proud of the growth and momentum our team has built this semester. We welcomed three new Peer Advisors, bringing our team to seven Advisors, and expanded the number of peers we support from 27 to 32. However, it’s never been about the numbers. What truly matters to me is reaching and supporting as many student veterans as we possibly can in meaningful ways.

I understand how difficult it can be to reintegrate into civilian life and how overwhelming it may feel to navigate higher education after service. That perspective shapes the way I lead. I’m especially proud of how our team has come together to create intentional, welcoming spaces through engaging social events, skill-building workshops, and service initiatives that allow us to give back to our community. We see the impact of this work during our events such as when students who initially attend quietly begin engaging in conversation, when they exchange contact information with other veterans, when they return to future events, and when they share that they feel more connected to campus. Those moments are small on the surface, but they reflect real progress in belonging and reintegration.

My favorite part about being a Team Leader is mentoring and empowering others while building community at the same time. I enjoy creating a space where Peer Advisors feel confident sharing their ideas and taking initiative, and I find it fulfilling to watch them grow into stronger leaders. Seeing both our Advisors and the students we serve build confidence, connection, and community through our programming makes this role deeply personal and meaningful to me.”