How Higher Ed Can Turn Appreciation Into Action for Veterans

Infinite_Eye/Shutterstock

This special Veterans Day compilation episode of the HigherEdJobs Podcast brings together past conversations with military-affiliated staff, faculty, and leaders. Producer Mike Walker opens the episode by reflecting on how campuses can meaningfully recognize veterans’ contributions. “Saying ‘thank you’ for your service is powerful and meaningful, but actions speak more than simple words,” he said. His framing sets the tone: honoring veterans requires more than acknowledgment; it requires support and opportunity.

The episode includes the story of Courtney Swoboda, director of military and veteran’s services at the University of Central Missouri and an Air Force reservist, whose service shaped her pathway into higher education. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without my service,” she said. Her work supporting military-affiliated students led her to help form a statewide network of colleagues in Missouri, building consistency in how campuses support veterans and their families.

Another segment features Alan Kellogg, a senior athletics administrator at the University of Louisville and retired U.S. Air Force colonel, who served more than 30 years in the military before transitioning into collegiate athletics administration. He speaks to the shared expectations of readiness and responsibility across both environments. “There’s a sense of urgency in everything we do,” he said. “Once the decision is made, we’re moving.” His perspective highlights how veterans bring steadiness and leadership to campus roles that require coordinated action under pressure.

The compilation also includes insights from LeNaya Hezel, director of military-connected communities at the Warrior-Scholar Project, who noted that the structure of higher education is more familiar to veterans than many assume. “Universities are mini-cities,” she said, describing the parallels between military and campus communities where logistics, instruction, community care, and teamwork shape daily life. Her comments encourage institutions to recognize the skills veterans already possess, rather than expecting them to translate or reinvent themselves.

Another featured guest Josh Allen, a vice president of human resources and U.S. Air Force veteran, emphasized that supporting veterans on campus requires clear communication and purpose. “If they know the why, they’re going to understand it and execute it,” he said. Aligning work with mission can support retention and long-term engagement for veterans in campus roles.

Nick Lavery, an active-duty U.S. Army Green Beret, offers a reflection on discipline and personal direction. “Discipline is the willingness to exchange what you want now for what you want most,” he said. His perspective speaks to the sustained commitment that often carries from military service into civilian professional life.

The transition into higher education is not always simple. In a recently published HigherEdMilitary article, Dr. Adam Pierson Milano, clinical instructor in the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Social Work, felt caught “between worlds” when he entered higher education after serving. Veterans may find themselves adjusting to new professional norms while still carrying the identity and instincts shaped through service. Over time, he found that his military experience was not something he had to set aside in order to belong in higher education. It was central to the value he brought to it. “My learning arc was no longer in opposition to my experience; it was informed by it,” he wrote.

Though Veterans Day reminds us to say thank you, the deeper tribute lies in what happens after when appreciation becomes action. By supporting and empowering veterans to continue making an impact throughout higher education, we ensure that their service and leadership are honored every day of the year.