Veteran and Military Connected Students

Veteran & Military-Connected Students Resource

The Collegiate Veterans Success Center (CVSC) is a resource for any military-connected student. The CVSC provides a safe space where students are free to connect with one another, utilize our resources, and ask the questions necessary to navigate through their college journey and beyond. Here at the CVSC, we welcome you with open arms and strive to make your experience at UF one in which you are comfortable and equipped to take on the challenges that may arise as a military connected student.

The CVSC Mission: The CVSC serves student veterans and military dependents at UF by providing a designated location on campus to study, meet with on and off campus resources, and to spend time with and support each other in a fun and relaxing space.

Since 2013, the CVSC has long since expanded and improved to:

· Serve as a central point of contact for veteran students

· Exist as a beneficial approach to helping military connected students navigate campus

· Remained critical to building a strong support program for veteran students

The CVSC remains committed to strengthening the capacity of its services at UF to address the stressors that may be a hindrance to student success, by continuing to grow our veteran student services. We want to be able to continue many of our great events and activities, as well as continue to engage veterans and military affiliated students to help address academic, financial, physical, and social needs.

Linda Steele | Associate Director- CVSC | steelel@ufl.edu | (352) 392-1278

Aurora Turmelle | Program Coordinator, Veteran Success | Auroraturmelle@ufl.edu | (352) 294-3629

Kelvin Woodward | Outreach Specialist, Veteran Success | Kelvinwoodward@ufl.edu | (352) 273-0874

The CVSC is also honored to serve as the host site for the UF Veterans Affairs Vet Success On-Campus Counselor!

The CVSC is located at 418 Yon Hall, Gainesville, FL 32611.

• Head towards Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gate 14.

• Once at gate 14, enter the glass door within the brick wall leading to the elevator lobby.

• Take the elevator to the 4th floor.

• When exiting the elevator on the 4th floor, make a right and locate Room 418. The first door on the left side of the hallway.

PURPLE STAR CAMPUS

In 2024, the University of Florida received the distinction of being named a Florida Collegiate Purple Star Campus. Once given the purple star campus distinction, it is maintained at the university for three academic years. By getting this award, UF is now recognized as a college that demonstrates a commitment to supporting military members and their families.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION GRANT AWARDEE

The CVSC received the Centers of Excellence for Veteran Student Success grant for the 2023-2026 cycle. The grant encourages model programs to support veteran student success in postsecondary education by coordinating services to address the academic, financial, physical, and social needs of veteran students.

Within our grant Objectives we strive to:

Objective 1:

Establish a single point of contact veteran program coordinating with comprehensive support services for veteran students

Objective 2:

Expand veteran services and engagement to improve veteran enrollment, persistence, and retention and progress to graduation

Objective 3:

Train faculty and staff on military cultural competency and trauma-informed education