From Dante Strother, Veteran Services Coordinator, Wayne State University: “Josh is a fertilizer. He acts as a catalyst for growth, and nurtures the potential of others each and every day he steps into the Student Veteran Resource Center (SVRC). His natural gift for connecting with people has allowed our program to grow in ways I had not seen before — building bridges for new partnerships with departments around campus and outside of the university, increasing our visibility and awareness that peer support makes a difference. He inspires me to be a better Coach and he is a champion of the core values of PAVE.”

From Joshua Anderson: “My favorite part about being a Peer Advisor is helping fellow veterans while also giving me a sense of purpose I lost after leaving the Army. Going from high tempo to slow halt can be discouraging. A rediscovery of my sense of purpose through helping fellow veteran students became a catalyst. Now, my studies have led me toward a career in social work. I am currently a student pursuing a Bachelor of Social Work, so I can help more veterans in more areas of their lives.

My time working with other student veterans helped me regain a sense of communication that many veterans lose during the transition out of service. Leaving behind the everyday structure of military life changed how one connects with others and affects the sense of identity. Finding a community of people who understand that adjustment and can support you when things feel off is invaluable. Helping student veterans discover familiarity and belonging in this new phase is truly rewarding, and I believe it makes their college experience overall easier, knowing that someone is there ready to listen and support them.”