The University of Florida’s Collegiate Veterans Success Center provides support and community to veterans and military-connected students year-round, not just during Veterans Day week.
Located in Yon Hall, the center serves as a resource hub for students who have served in the armed forces or who come from military families. Staff members and student assistants work daily to ensure that every veteran at UF can find the help and community they need to succeed.
“If you are a veteran or military-connected student and you do not know where to start, start with us,” Aurora Turmelle, CVSC program coordinator, said.
Turmelle helps manage the center’s operations and outreach. She said the CVSC exists to make navigating college life easier for students who have served or have ties to the military.
“We help break down barriers and connect you with the right people and resources,” she said.
Turmelle oversees the Peer Mentorship Program, which pairs new veteran and military-connected students with trained mentors who guide them through their first semesters at UF.
“The goal is to help students learn how to be successful both in and out of the classroom,” she said. “We train mentors to guide students in finding resources, setting goals and developing self-accountability.”
Student assistant James Treiber, a junior majoring in history and German, said working at the center has allowed him to stay connected to the military community that shaped his upbringing.
“I grew up in a military family, so being around veterans has always been something that feels natural,” Treiber said. “The center gives people a place to connect with others who understand what they’ve been through.”
Treiber said the events hosted by the CVSC, such as the Veterans Empowerment Fair and Stars and Strikes Family Day, help strengthen bonds among veterans and their families while encouraging students to get involved on campus.
“Going to the events and meeting other people is really important,” he said. “It’s a way for veterans to connect and make campus life feel like a home.”
Throughout the week of Veterans Day, the CVSC continued celebrating its veterans and military-connected community with several events.
On Wednesday, Nov. 12, the annual Military Program recognized UF’s active-duty, Guard, Reserve, veteran and ROTC students for their commitment to service. On Thursday, Nov. 13, Veteran Staff Appreciation took place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., inviting faculty and staff veterans to stop by Yon Hall for coffee and snacks.
On Saturday, Nov. 15, Stars and Strikes – Purple Star Family Day at the J. Wayne Reitz Union Game Room brought veterans and their families together from 1 to 3 p.m. for bowling and games. The week concluded on Monday, Nov. 17, with Rations and Reflections, a noon-to-1 p.m. lunchtime chat hosted by the CVSC that focused on career barriers and translating military experience into civilian life.
Linda Steele, associate director of the CVSC and an Air Force veteran who served eight years, said UF’s commitment to veterans is part of a long-standing UF tradition.
“Military service is a University of Florida tradition,” Steele said. “From World War I to today, our veterans have shaped this campus and community.”
Steele said that UF now serves more than 2,000 veterans, active-duty members and dependents, with the Collegiate Veterans Success Center and the Office of Student Veteran Services working together to ensure that every student receives the support they need.
“It is always inspiring to see how veterans find a home here,” Steele said. “Our goal is to make sure every student who walks through our door knows they belong.”
