By james art “Like many veterans, I felt a little older and a little different from the other students in the class. We’re going through a very different experience than everyone else and it can be a little difficult to get back into the swing of school. You have a different understanding of things,” said David Alizadeh, a United States Army veteran, University of Nevada, Reno student and president of the Wolf Pack Vets Club.
The transition to college life after serving in the military can be difficult to navigate. David Alizadeh, quoted above, and Josh Abbott, a member of the United States Air Force Reserve, a university student and treasurer of the Wolf Pack Vets Club, discussed the challenges they each face and how they are now involved on campus , working to help other student veterans with the same transition.
There are about 1,200 self-identified veterans at the university, the couple said. According to the 2023 College Climate Survey, 91% of student veterans and military-affiliated respondents strongly agreed or agreed that they would recommend the University of Nevada, Reno to someone with prior military experience.
“Veterans have to make their own decision to be part of the student veteran community on campus,” Alizadeh said.
This decision can be difficult. According to Alizadeh and Abbott, while some veterans are more vocal about their service history, many veterans returning to civilian life after service may try to distance themselves from their military background. Abbott, who left active duty in 2015 and transitioned into the reserves while working for a time as a civilian, said he wishes he had learned sooner about the resources offered through campus veterans services.
“My sense of humor was very different from the other students in the class, and so were the ways I communicated,” Abbott said, referring to his early days as a post-service student. “But for the most part I was unaware of the military resources available to me. If I had known about the university’s military resources, it would have made a big impact.
After moving around several states, Abbott decided to attend the University of Nevada, Reno because it was a Tier 1 university and the degree programs offered in the College of Business really appealed to him. He has a specialty in marketing and management.
Alizadeh knew what to expect from student life and culture when she transferred to the university after attending an out-of-state junior college. He originally moved to Reno for work, but decided to enroll at the university when he researched his graduate program and discovered that the University of Nevada, Reno also had one of the best programs for his geology and engineering degree. Having attended school elsewhere, he knew he wanted to seek out campus resources and build a strong social network.
This is where Chai Cook and John Pratt step in. Cook is director of campus veterans services and Pratt is coordinator of veterans services. Both are incredibly dedicated to the students and communities they serve and want to share resources, help navigate student life, and create opportunities for student veterans to build friendships as members of The Wolf Family.
Student veterans and alumni of the university gathered at Crystal Peak Park for a community cleanup.“Both Chai and John were amazing,” Alizadeh said. “John was the first person I met connected to veteran resources in the community. John proactively talked about social events and services available to veterans and their families on campus, and that was very encouraging and helpful.”
The Department of Veterans Services operates the Veterans and Military Center of the Nevada Military Support Alliance, located in the Pennington Student Achievement Center. The center offers information on education benefits for veterans, helps navigate veteran tuition payment plans, has an emergency fund for student veterans and family members in need of financial assistance, and more. In addition to supporting the programs offered on campus and providing a physical space to gather, study and learn together, the center also helps organize events.
“The Veterans Center gives us a safe space. It gives us freedom to express ourselves and behave more the way we are used to during military life. It’s convenient,” Abbott said. It doesn’t hurt that they also provide coffee, free printing, and the occasional snack!
University of Nevada, Reno Student Veterans at Pinon Pub Social.Both Alizadeh and Abbott admit that the hardest part of building a community is taking that first step to connect. They encourage student veterans to check out social media resources, stop by the Veterans and Military Center, or come and say hello if you see them on campus to learn more.
“It can really change the game. For people who decide to get involved, it’s an amazing experience. We go to dinners, we go out for drinks, we do socials, we do community service together, we go to soccer games together… It’s a great way to make friends and meet new people,” Abbott said.
Veterans Day Events
The Wolf Pack Vets Center and Club will be holding several events in honor and celebration of Veterans Day, which is always celebrated on November 11th.
Flag Raising Ceremony on November 4th from 10am to 2pm on the lawn in front of the Joe Crowley Student Union
2,500 flags are planted on the lawn to visually represent the commitment to remember veterans and active duty military. Each flag placed symbolizes a life dedicated to the service of country and reminds the campus of the sacrifices made for freedom. It also aims to remind the campus of the continuing presence of veterans among us. It helps create dialogue and is a way for students and faculty to reflect on the service. Everyone is welcome to come out and help put up the flags.
Flag Retirement Ceremony Nov. 8, 11:30 a.m., in front of the Joe Crowley Student Union
A brief retirement ceremony honoring flags no longer fit for service. Learn more about the flag placement ceremony and flag retirement ceremony on the Office of Veterans Affairs Facebook page.
VetSmart training for faculty and students on November 7 at noon, via Zoom or in person in the Rita Laden Senate Chambers in the Joe Crowley Student Union
VetSmart is a training of the university’s Department of Veterans Affairs to create awareness of the potential challenges that student veterans may face during the transition from the military to the academic environment. This training will discuss the intersectionality of different identities and abilities, along with socioeconomic and racial challenges. It will also explore some of the military cultural differences that student veterans face on campus.
People can learn more or register here.
Veterans Day Parade on November 11th. Parade staging is from 9 to 11 am and the parade starts at 11:11 am in downtown Reno
The Veterans Alumni Chapter hosts the university’s participation in the Veterans Day Parade. They usually meet near the courthouse in downtown Reno and walk together in the parade. Email [email protected] to learn more.