EMPOWER STUDENTS AS LEADERS
NVLF supports military-connected students who serve as leaders in creating a more supportive and inclusive campus.
Military Community Advocates
Military Community Advocates (MCAs) are student leaders who serve across campus to help meet the needs of the military-connected student population, ultimately creating a more military-inclusive campus.
The NVLF helps universities launch and support this service-scholarship program for veteran and military-connected students. Advocates are placed in departments and colleges across campus and develop innovative programs and events. They also develop valuable leadership experiences that set them up for future career success.
Past advocates have changed campus policies regarding service obligations, created suicide prevention programs, improved campus recruiting, established mentoring initiatives, organized community-building events and more.
NVLF Leadership Fellows
This prestigious fellowship program recognizes and serves top military-connected students on National Alliance campuses across America. The transformative, six-month program combines virtual and in-person events designed to support veterans and other service-related students as they transition into leadership roles on their campuses.
2023 NVLF Leadership Fellows
Gwendalyn Smith
Ashland University
Early Childhood Education
U.S. Air Force
Dwight Williams II
Columbus State Community College
Strategic Communications
U.S. Air Force
Christopher Mahn
Cornell University
Biology & Society/Pre-Med
U.S. Navy
China Abron-Roots
Howard University
Radiation Therapy
U.S. Navy
Nikki Morris
Norfolk State University
Psychology
U.S. Navy
Edwin V. Juarez, Sr.
The Ohio State University
City & Regional Planning
U.S. Army
John Buckley
Penn State
Forest Ecosystem Management
U.S Navy
Adiba Hassan
University of California, Los Angeles
Epidemiology
Military Spouse
Aurora Turner
University of Kansas
Strategic Communications
Military Dependent
Jenalee Wimer
University of Nebraska
Animal Science
U.S. Marine Corps Reserve
Chad Lutz
University of South Florida
Business Analytics and Info Systems
U.S. Army
Cat Kim
University of Texas – Dallas
Business Admin
U.S. Army
Onica Stapleton
University of Texas – Dallas
Global Business
U.S. Army
Gabriel Zavala
University of Texas – San Antonio
Cybersecurity
U.S. Air Force
Leah Henning
University of Wisconsin
Health Promotion, Health Equity & Nursing
U.S. Marine Corps + USMC Reserve
Benjamin DeRoos
West Virginia University
Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering
U.S. Air Force National Guard