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Vet Success on Campus

Updated | Julie Provost

Vet Success on Campus

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) established the VetSuccess on Campus (VSOC) program to provide comprehensive on-site support to Servicemembers, Veterans, and eligible dependents as they transition to higher education.

VSOC is an essential outreach initiative that strategically places experienced VA Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors (VRCs) directly on college campuses. These counselors are liaisons between students and the VA, offering support where it is needed most, helping coordinate assistance with VA benefits, and addressing academic needs.

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A VA Vet Center Outreach Coordinator may also be co-located at the school, providing invaluable peer-to-peer counseling, vital mental health resources, and referral services. VSOC Counselors offer a range of support services designed to empower student Veterans. These include, but are not limited to, the following critical areas:

  • Offering Chapter 36 guidance in selecting career paths, choosing educational programs, and effectively utilizing VA education benefits.

  • Helping students access, understand, and successfully apply for various VA benefits, such as Disability Compensation, health care enrollment, and the proper use of the GI Bill.

  • Providing support to address personal or academic issues, often relating to the specific challenges of transitioning from military service to a student role.

  • Assisting students in obtaining appropriate and necessary academic accommodations within the classroom and campus environment.

  • Facilitating job placement assistance and providing referrals to external resources to help secure meaningful employment upon graduation.

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VSOC Counselor Contact Information by State

Here is a sampling of VSOC Counselors across several states. Please remember that counselor assignments can occasionally change; for the most up-to-date directory, always contact the VA directly or visit the official VR&E website.

VSOC Counselor Contact Information by State (Updated)

To ensure prompt and accurate communication, here is a sampling of the current VSOC Counselor assignments across several states. Please remember that counselor assignments can occasionally change; for the complete and absolute latest directory, always contact the VA directly or visit the official VR&E website.

Alabama

  • Troy University: Arika Dolman (Arika.Dolman@va.gov)

  • University of Alabama: Lisa Fells (Lisa.Fells@va.gov)

Alaska

  • University of Alaska – Anchorage: Sheedra Futrell (Sheedra.Futrell@va.gov)

Arizona

  • Arizona State University: Kiesha McGaugh (Kiesha.McGaugh@va.gov)

Arkansas

  • University of Arkansas: Vacant

  • Northwest Arkansas Community College: Vacant

California

  • California State University – Long Beach: Lois Daz (Lois.Daz@va.gov)

  • Long Beach City College: Lois Daz (Lois.Daz@va.gov)

  • Mt. San Antonio College: Maura Kazden (Maura.Kazden@va.gov)

  • Citrus College: Maura Kazden (Maura.Kazden@va.gov)

  • Saddleback College: Kelandra Anthony (Kelandra.Anthony@va.gov)

  • Irvine Valley College: Kelandra Anthony (Kelandra.Anthony@va.gov)

  • Pasadena City College: David Fierro (David.Fierro@va.gov)

  • California State University – Los Angeles: David Fierro (David.Fierro@va.gov)

  • Los Angeles City College: David Fierro (David.Fierro@va.gov)

  • University of California – Los Angeles: Stephen Lam (Stephen.Lam@va.gov)

  • Santa Monica Community College: Stephen Lam (Stephen.Lam@va.gov)

  • American River College: April Paganelli (April.Paganelli@va.gov)

  • San Diego State University: Ryan Morris (Ryan.Morris377@va.gov)

  • Mira Costa College: Victoria Hernandez (Victoria.Hernandez@va.gov)

Florida

  • Northwest Florida State College: Maronda Clark (Maronda.Clark@va.gov)

  • University of West Florida: Becky Baisden (Rebecca.Baisden@va.gov)

  • University of South Florida: Vacant

  • Florida State University: Carl Schorr (Carl.Schorr@va.gov)

  • Tallahassee Community College: Carl Schorr (Carl.Schorr@va.gov)

  • Florida International University: Marquay Smith (Marquay.Smith@va.gov)

  • University of Florida: Patricia Carswell (Patricia.Carswell@va.gov)

  • Santa Fe College: Patricia Carswell (Patricia.Carswell@va.gov)

  • Florida State College at Jacksonville: Brittany Beimourtrusting (Brittany.Beimourtrusting@va.gov)

  • Florida State College at Jacksonville: Jonathan Davis (Jonathan.Davis4@va.gov)

Georgia

  • Kennesaw State University: Margo Thompson (Margo.Thompson@va.gov)

Hawaii

  • Hawaii Pacific University: Gwen Dang (Gwen.Dang@va.gov)

  • Leeward Community College: Selina Higa (Selina.Higa@va.gov)

  • University of Hawaii – Manoa: Selina Higa (Selina.Higa@va.gov)

Idaho

  • Boise State University: Sean Burlile (Sean.Burlile@va.gov)

Illinois

  • Southwestern Illinois College: Brenne Ardrey (Brenne.Ardrey@va.gov)

  • University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign: Delmar Rhodes (Delmar.Rhodes1@va.gov)

Kansas

  • Johnson County Community College: Jonathan Grant (Jonathan.Grant@va.gov)

  • University of Kansas: Angela Warwick (Angela.Warwick@va.gov)

Kentucky

  • Eastern Kentucky University: Delora Holbrook (Delora.Holbrook@va.gov)

  • Elizabethtown Community & Technical College: Steven Johnson (Steven.C.Johnson@va.gov)

  • University of Kentucky: Cassandra Knight-Trevino (Cassandra.Knight-Trevino@va.gov)

  • Bluegrass Community & Technical College: Cassandra Knight-Trevino (Cassandra.Knight-Trevino@va.gov)

Maryland

  • University of Maryland – Global Campus: Danielle Johnson (Danielle.Johnson13@va.gov)

  • University of Maryland – Global Campus: Nicole Julien-Thomas (Nicole.Julien-Thomas@va.gov)

For a full, current resource detailing all 104 participating schools and counselor contact information, please visit the official VA resource page for VetSuccess on Campus.

 

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About the author

Julie Provost is a freelance writer, and blogger. She lives in Tennessee with her National Guard husband and three boys.

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