“The University of Oklahoma has done an excellent job reigniting their long-standing PAVE program. The energy brought by new leadership and the steadfast dedication to veterans services of both new and established team members promise robust and increasing support for the students they serve,” says Emma Czajka, PAVE Program Coordinator.

The University of Oklahoma (OU) PAVE team focuses on serving first-semester military-affiliated students. While there are between 1,500–2,000 military-affiliated students enrolled, this semester the PAVE team has been serving 120 new students on campus. The team is made up of Veterans Services Coordinators Justin Cook and Paris Earle, Campus Champion Ryan Stoddard, Team Leader Ryan Fishburn, and Peer Advisors Elise Williams, Christopher Albert, Joe Dunn, Justin Hurley, Shaun Davis, and Giovani Garcia.

The OU PAVE team is focusing on rebuilding their PAVE program with new leadership and renewed energy. Enhancing the sense of community through outreach and events has been a priority. They have held a variety of events like a football run and a veteran orientation. According to Ryan Stoddard, “There are really cool events happening, and the thought going into the events we are having is very inclusive of everybody military-affiliated.” When asked about what piece of advice they would give another school trying to reignite PAVE on their campus, they emphasized the importance of community, with Paris saying, “Focus on building up the community and being consistent with your purpose.”

Support from leadership is also an important factor contributing to the success of the OU PAVE team, and is having a positive impact on the community they are building. According to Ryan Fishburn, “It helps ease a lot of the burden for students because it lets you know that people at the school do care and it helps build, protect, and manage the community.” This effect is magnified by the students they have recruited to be Peer Advisors, “people who have had problems and have navigated campus help,” says Shaun.

Overall, the OU PAVE team has set themselves and their military-affiliated students up for sustained success. Paris summed it up simply, saying, “We treat PAVE like it is something that matters.” Keep up the phenomenal work, OU!