Fellows

The NVLF Leadership Fellowship equips students with the skills and confidence to become effective, impactful leaders 

NVLF LEADERSHIP FELLOWS


The NVLF Leadership Fellowship honors and empowers student leaders who are advancing campus efforts to serve the military-connected community better.  

Representing NVLF-affiliated campuses across the United States, Fellows work to make sure military-connected students have the support they need to thrive on campus. The fellowship not only recognizes students for their service-oriented leadership but also equips them to create lasting change on campus and beyond.

A cornerstone of the program is the NVLF Fellows Forum—an interactive workshop where fellows develop leadership skills, network with peers, and gain tools to drive meaningful impact. Fellows also attend the NVLF Leadership Forum, bringing a student perspective to campus planning. 

Serving as Fellows gives students an opportunity to work with remarkable leaders, collaborate on initiatives to improve support for military-connected students and join a national network of dedicated advocates. 

Selection Process:

Affiliated universities nominate up to three top-performing Military Community Advocates or student leaders, with NVLF making the final selections. Candidates should demonstrate:

     •           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

Being an NVLF Fellow is an honor that celebrates service beyond self and provides a foundation for future success.

The 2025 NVLF Fellows participated in an intensive forum in Columbus, Ohio, focused on building leadership skills to better serve the military-connected community on campus. We applaud their dedication and are excited to see the positive impact they will continue to make in the years ahead.

While most Fellows were able to attend in person, three were unable to join us in Columbus due to military commitments. We proudly recognize:

  • Finn O’Brien, University of Notre Dame – U.S. Marine Corps
  • Ajith Brown, University of Wisconsin – Madison – U.S. Navy
  • Paul Walintukan, Le Moyne College – U.S. Marine Corps Reserve
Eric Baily
The Ohio State University – Marion Campus
Engineering
U.S. Marine Corps
Caelie Bell
Ashland University
Biology Pre-Med
Military Dependent
Ajith Brown
University of Wisconsin – Madison
International Studies
U.S.Navy
Emily Caldwell
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Psychology
U.S. Air Force
Shelby Dennhardt
University of Dayton
Communications
U.S. Air Force
Sarah Ellis
The Ohio State University
 Anatomy 
U.S. Air Force
Courtney Elmore
The Pennsylvania State University
Anthropology
U.S. Air Force
James Evans
Wright State University
Nursing
Army National Guard
McKinlee Goodloe
Norfolk State University
Psychology
Military Dependent
Grant Hayden
Bowling Green State University
Biology
Ohio Army National Guard
Julie Herrera
The University of Texas at San
Antonio
Cyber Security
Military Dependent
Arnold Hien
Wright State University
Cyber Security
Army National Guard
Mia Keene
The University of Kansas
Political Science
Military Dependent
Bentley Kinzer
West Virginia University
Exercise Physiology
Military Dependent
Ekene Obiesie
The University of Texas at Dallas
Computer Science
U.S. Army
Finn O’Brien
University of Notre Dame
Philosophy
U.S. Marine Corps
Christopher Ogle
Bowling Green State University
Biology
Army National Guard
Eniola Oke
Indiana University- Bloomington
Public Health
Air Force Reserve
Marcedi Phillips
Howard University
Political Science
Military Dependent
Morgan Scott
Howard University
Business Administration
Military Dependent
Jacob Sheaffer
Ohio University
Electrical Engineering
Air Force National Guard
Kennedy Simpson
Owens Community College
Occupational Therapy
Army Reserve
Jacob Sullivan
Youngstown State University
Business Marketing
U.S. Army
Jaquaelyn Wallace
The University of Texas at San
Antonio
Psychology and Business
Military Dependent