Colleges and universities often struggle to support service members and their families as they transition into college life and pursue fulfilling careers. Traditional campus services typically do not address the specific needs of military-connected students, who are usually older, used to a structured environment, and often have families.
Military-connected students bring dedication, valuable experience, leadership, and diverse skills. Unfortunately, these qualities are often overlooked.
The National Veterans Leadership Foundation (NVLF) partners with colleges and universities nationwide to enhance the higher education experience for military-connected students. Dedicated to improving their transition, NVLF equips students to excel academically and professionally by strengthening veteran support offices, fostering leadership opportunities and creating campus-to-career resources. Through innovative programs and comprehensive support, NVLF advances academic success, career readiness and a strong sense of belonging for military-connected students.
LEADERSHIP THAT DRIVES CHANGE
NVLF uses an integrated strategy to improve the higher education experience for military students.
EMPOWER STUDENTS AS LEADERS
The NVLF empowers military-connected students to lead and drive change on their campuses through initiatives like the Military Community Advocates (MCA) and Leadership Fellows program. By leveraging their dedication, these Advocates develop programs and events that support and engage military-connected students, acting as “force multipliers” for the Military & Veteran (mil-vet) office. By enhancing the college experience, NVLF Advocates positively impact thousands of students who have served their country.
ENGAGE CAMPUS LEADERSHIP
NVLF partners with more than 70 institutions of higher learning to develop best-practice programming and shared knowledge that contributes to the success of military-connected students. NVLF also offers a Digital Resource Hub, an online database of ready-to-use resources for military-veteran offices designed to support the replication of high-impact military-veteran programs.
GROW COMMUNITY SUPPORT
The NVLF helps universities build greater support for military-veteran students within their local communities, fostering connections and increasing financial support. The Leadership Forum is an annual event that brings together campus teams, including mil-vet directors, development officers, marketing, and career resource leaders, to grow both internal and external support for military-veteran students. The Advancement Awards provide seed funding for events and activities that increase the visibility of military students on campus while also bringing community leaders and supporters to campus.
BUILD CAREER PARTNERSHIPS
We provide resources to help military-connected students transition from campus to career. This includes an online job bank — Service Gradlign — that matches skills and education with job openings. Our Career Pathway programs focus on industry knowledge, career opportunities, networking, mentorship, and coaching. Advocates also recruit other military-connected students, enhancing the military-to-career pipeline.
REACH AND IMPACT
Our collaboration with colleges and universities enhances campus and career opportunities for our military-connected students,
enabling them to make a significant impact in both their workplaces and communities.
NVLF SELECTS 2025 LEADERSHIP FELLOWS TO
EMPOWER MILITARY-CONNECTED STUDENT LEADERS
Columbus, Ohio – The National Veterans Leadership Foundation (NVLF) is proud to announce the selection of its 2025 NVLF Leadership Fellows. This prestigious national fellowship recognizes top military-connected students—including veterans, active-duty service members, reservists, National Guard members, ROTC cadets, spouses, and dependents—for their service, leadership potential, and commitment to making a positive impact in their communities.
The newly selected class represents colleges and universities from across the country. As part of the fellowship, the Fellows will participate in development programs designed to help them grow as leaders, continue their lives of service, and support the military-connected community on their campuses.
The 2025 NVLF Leadership Fellows are:
| STUDENT | INSTITUTION | AREA OF STUDY | MILITARY CONNECTION |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caelie Bell | Ashland University | Biology/Pre-Med | Biology/Pre-Med |
| Grant Hayden | Bowling Green State University | Chemistry, Microbiology | Chemistry, Microbiology |
| Christopher Ogle | Bowling Green State University | Biology | Army National Guard |
| Marcedi Phillips | Howard University | Political Science | Military Dependent – Army |
| Morgan Scott | Howard University | Business Administration | Military Dependent – Air Force |
| Eniola Oke | Indiana University- Bloomington | Public Health | Air Force Reserve |
| Paul Walintukan | Le Moyne College | Physics/Pre-Engineering | Marine Reserve |
| McKinlee Goodloe | Norfolk State University | Psychology | Military Dependent – Navy |
| Jacob Sheaffer | Ohio University | Electrical Engineering | Air Force National Guard |
| Kennedy Simpson | Owens Community College | Occupational Therapy | Army Reserve |
| Kira Johnson | The Ohio State University | Social Work | Army Veteran |
| Eric Bailey | The Ohio State University – Marion Campus | Engineering | Marine Veteran |
| Courtney Elmore | The Pennsylvania State University | Anthropology | Air Force Veteran |
| Mia Keene | The University of Kansas | Political Science | Military Dependent |
| Ekene Obiesie | The University of Texas at Dallas | Computer Science | Army Veteran |
| Julie Herrera | The University of Texas at San Antonio | Cyber Security | Military Dependent – Army |
| Jaquaelyn Wallace | The University of Texas at San Antonio | Psychology and Business | Military Dependent – Marine |
| Shelby Dennhardt | University of Dayton | Communication | Air Force Veteran |
| Emily Caldwell | University of Nebraska – Lincoln | Psychology | Air Force Veteran |
| Finn O’Brien | University of Notre Dame | Philosophy | Active-Duty Marine |
| Ajith Brown | University of Wisconsin – Madison | International Studies | Navy Veteran |
| Bentley Kinzer | West Virginia University | Exercise Physiology | Military Dependent – Army |
| Arnold Hien | Wright State University | Cybersecurity | Army National Guard |
| James Evans | Wright State University | Nursing | Army National Guard |
| Jacob Sullivan | Youngstown State University | Business Marketing | Army Veteran |
“The NVLF Leadership Fellowships recognize the dedication and potential of military-connected students who are making a real difference on their campuses,” said James Miller, President and Founder of the National Veterans Leadership Foundation. “These Fellows exemplify service, leadership and resilience. By investing in their growth, we are strengthening the next generation of leaders who will continue to support and uplift the military-connected community.”
NVLF collaborates with more than 75 colleges and universities dedicated to supporting military-connected students. These institutions nominate outstanding Military Community Advocates or student leaders, with NVLF selecting the final Fellows based on the following criteria:
- Passion for service
- Commitment to supporting military-connected students
- Strong collaboration skills
- A principled, service-driven mindset
- A desire to represent their university with excellence
“Transitioning from military service to higher education comes with unique challenges, and strong student leaders play a critical role in fostering a supportive community,” said Mike Carrell, NVLF’s Chief Operating Officer and retired U.S. Air Force Colonel. “The NVLF Leadership Fellows are committed to service beyond self, and this program empowers them with the skills, connections, and opportunities to lead with purpose—both on campus and in their future careers.”