PAVE - Peer Advisors for Veteran Education

06/12/2026

Today is a bittersweet but also joyous day for the PAVE National Team. Please join us in wishing Emma Czajka, our Program Coordinator, all the best as she completes her last day with us and prepares to move to Oregon to begin a graduate program.

Thank you for all of your work and contributions to the program since 2019, Emma!

We will miss you tremendously, but we are excited for you and your next chapter.

05/25/2026

On this Memorial Day and every day, may we never forget those who gave their lives in service to our nation.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

May we always live worthy of their sacrifice, honor their memory, and never forget the brave Americans who paid the ultimate price.

05/01/2026

Lauren Sarver of Johnson County Community College is our Peer Advisor of the Month!

From Gerardo Ruiz, Veteran Services Coordinator, Johnson County Community College: “Lauren is a genuinely caring person who deeply cares about the program, its mission, and the well-being of her PAVE peers. Throughout the year, she has been a consistent and active participant in our events, always encouraging others to get involved and stay engaged. Her commitment is evident in how she manages her PAVE group; she schedules time to meet with them and prepares thoughtful questions in advance to ensure she understands their needs and gets to know them better.

Beyond her interpersonal skills, Lauren has demonstrated exceptional leadership by being present, organized, and proactive in seeking out resources, even while serving in the Air National Guard and having recently been called to active duty. She has made arrangements to ensure her cohort continues to receive the support they need to be successful. Lauren’s ability to balance her military service, academics, and her PAVE responsibilities speaks volumes about her character, her work ethic, and her commitment to the PAVE program.”

From Lauren Sarver: “I feel that my work as a Peer Advisor is improving the college experience for my fellow student veterans by being that missing puzzle piece that truly unpacks their individualized issues and connecting them with the correct resources and benefits. Having someone acting as a central hub who invests in solving their issues, whether it be benefits, academic, or personal, holds such value during this time of transition. I love being that person for them!

My favorite part about being a Peer Advisor is connecting with veterans and the learning experience that follows. Whether it’s over a cup of coffee, or on a phone call with an online student currently on military orders, these conversations have had a profound effect on both how I continue as a Peer Advisor, but also how I advocate for the military patients I assist who are currently in the Military Health Network. I would have never guessed this position would turn into such a wonderful learning experience!"

JCCC Veteran & Military Student Resource Center

04/30/2026

Melissa Gavin of The University of New Mexico - UNM is our Team Leader of the Month!

From Jesse Preciado, Veteran Services Coordinator, University of New Mexico: “Melissa has been an instrumental part of our PAVE team's success this year. She has gone through and cleared old students from the PAVE system who are no longer enrolled in UNM. She has assigned students to all Peer Advisors and assisted those Peer Advisors through training. She also maintains the PAVE system and ensures that Peer Advisors are completing their logs. Melissa is a liaison between the Veterans Service Coordinator and Peer Advisors. She has also played a role in coordinating multiple events for our student population throughout the year.”

From Melissa Gavin: “As a PAVE Team Leader, my proudest accomplishment is growing and strengthening our program in ways that directly impact our community. I secured $1,500 in funding from a local credit union, led a program revamp, and expanded our team to include military dependents — creating a more inclusive support system. I also helped develop and launch our first structured training in Fall 2025. Most importantly, I’m proud of how our team has come together to better serve student veterans and their dependents.

What I love most about being a PAVE Team Leader is the opportunity to truly connect with people. My background as a Religious Affairs Airman taught me how to care for others in meaningful ways, and over time I realized my gift is finding the one thing someone needs most in that moment. I often think of City Slickers — that idea of “the one thing” — and I carry that into my work with PAVE. Whether it’s supporting my team or helping a student veteran feel understood, those connections are what make this role so rewarding."

UNM Veteran & Military Resource Center

04/27/2026

The University of Oklahoma is our Featured Campus for April! "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.

Keep up the phenomenal work, OU!

UO Student Veterans Center

03/29/2026

Joshua Anderson of Wayne State University is our Peer Advisor of the Month!

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.”

Wayne State University Student Veterans Organization

03/28/2026

Justin Downey of University at Buffalo is our Team Leader of the Month!

From Dan Ryan, Veteran Services Coordinator, University at Buffalo: “Justin exemplifies what it means to lead with purpose as a student veteran within the PAVE program at the University at Buffalo. For three and a half years, he has been a steady and committed Team Leader investing deeply in the success of military-affiliated students. In addition to serving as a PAVE Team Leader, Justin also leads as President of UB’s Student Veterans of America chapter and President of the School of Management’s Veterans Business Association.

His involvement reflects a genuine commitment to strengthening the veteran community from multiple angles: academically, professionally, and socially. He understands that transitions and reintegration can look different for everyone. When peer mentees are slow to respond or are disengaged, he doesn’t take it personally. Instead, he remains patient, persistent, and consistent… checking in regularly to ensure students know that support is always available. That kind of reliability builds trust and reinforces the message that no one is forgotten.

As he completes the final semester of his MBA program, Justin continues to prioritize mentorship and community-building. His leadership is grounded in humility, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to service. The impact he has made with our school is lasting and deeply appreciated."

From Justin Downey: “Serving as a Team Leader with PAVE has been a pretty meaningful experience. PAVE has allowed me to support fellow student veterans in ways that are more personal and purposeful than the limitations of being a full-time staff member. Transitioning from military service to a campus environment can be both understandably isolating and overwhelming. Whether someone responds immediately to messages or needs space, my goal is to make sure these mentees know that I am consistently there to support and advocate for them as best I can. Sometimes support simply means checking in and reminding them that help is available. Watching students gain confidence, find connections, and take ownership of their own journeys can feel so rewarding. Leadership, to me, is about consistency and ensuring no one navigates this transition alone without support.

My favorite part about being a Team Leader is mentoring the Peer Advisors and witnessing their ripple effect on mentees as they ease the transition for incoming student veterans. I find it incredibly rewarding to build a community where veterans feel an immediate sense of belonging and having a 'vets-helping-vets' camaraderie on campus. I am proudest of the overall commitment our Peer Advisors and staff have to keep this program running at our university has been a source of pride. I’ve had over a handful of mentees tell me over the years how much they appreciated my support and it helped them get on the path towards self-advocacy, proactiveness, and graduation."

03/26/2026

University at Buffalo is our Featured Campus for March! “The University at Buffalo PAVE team has shown a steadfast commitment to their military-affiliated students on campus. They are consistently performing outreach and working to connect students with campus resources; efforts that exemplify their dedication to supporting military-affiliated students,” says Emma Czajka, PAVE Program Coordinator.

Keep up the fantastic work, UB!

03/03/2026

David Hernandez is our Peer Advisor of the Month!

From Kendall Burch, Veteran Services Coordinator, University of Washington - Tacoma: “David brings a consistently positive and "get it done" attitude to our PAVE Team. He is proactive, reliable, contributes new ideas during meetings, and takes initiative when faced with a problem. Working on campus at the Disability Resource Office, he makes sure that his assigned PAVE students (or any student in the program) know where to find him. We are fortunate to have him on our team!"

From David Hernandez: “When I was getting out of the military and returning to college I found the experience to be slightly terrifying. I went from a very structured environment with a steady paycheck to navigating the whirlwind involved with applying to schools, financial aid, VA benefits, while worrying about my financial security. I took the orientation for veterans at my school, which helped, but I failed to reach out to my Peer Advisor. I learned how to navigate many obstacles that could have been eased with the help of an advisor. Now that I am a Peer Advisor myself, I work hard to reach out and make sure other veterans are aware of me and of how I can help. It has been extremely cathartic passing on my knowledge about what benefits are available to them and how to go about applying for them. I have assisted students with finances, filling out paperwork, academic guidance, and simply being a friendly face to ease the transition.”

University of Washington Tacoma Veteran and Military Resource Center

03/01/2026

Stephanie Ramos of California State University, Fullerton is our Team Leader of the Month!

From Alex Ortega, Veteran Services Coordinator, California State University, Fullerton: “Stephanie consistently demonstrates the leadership, integrity, and servant-hearted commitment that define the spirit of PAVE. She leads by example—showing up prepared, dependable, and fully invested in the success and well-being of the students she supports. Her ability to build genuine connections with fellow student veterans fosters trust, belonging, and meaningful engagement within our community.

Stephanie is a creative leader that is constantly looking for ways to innovate the way we deliver our services. Stephanie goes beyond fulfilling responsibilities; she takes ownership of her role and actively looks for ways to strengthen outreach, mentorship, and collaboration. She brings professionalism, empathy, and initiative to every interaction, ensuring that no student feels overlooked or unsupported. Her leadership reflects not only competence, but heart—she embodies the mission of PAVE by empowering others through connection and shared experience. Stephanie’s impact is felt in both the measurable outcomes of engagement and the intangible culture of support she helps cultivate. Working with Stephanie has been a true honor, she is what our department as a whole strives to be."

From Stephanie Ramos: "Since stepping into the Team Leader role, I’m proud of the growth and momentum our team has built this semester. We welcomed three new Peer Advisors, bringing our team to seven Advisors, and expanded the number of peers we support from 27 to 32. However, it’s never been about the numbers. What truly matters to me is reaching and supporting as many student veterans as we possibly can in meaningful ways.

I understand how difficult it can be to reintegrate into civilian life and how overwhelming it may feel to navigate higher education after service. That perspective shapes the way I lead. I’m especially proud of how our team has come together to create intentional, welcoming spaces through engaging social events, skill-building workshops, and service initiatives that allow us to give back to our community. We see the impact of this work during our events such as when students who initially attend quietly begin engaging in conversation, when they exchange contact information with other veterans, when they return to future events, and when they share that they feel more connected to campus. Those moments are small on the surface, but they reflect real progress in belonging and reintegration.

My favorite part about being a Team Leader is mentoring and empowering others while building community at the same time. I enjoy creating a space where Peer Advisors feel confident sharing their ideas and taking initiative, and I find it fulfilling to watch them grow into stronger leaders. Seeing both our Advisors and the students we serve build confidence, connection, and community through our programming makes this role deeply personal and meaningful to me."

Cal State University, Fullerton Veteran Resource Center