Honoring Duck Veterans 2024

Set against a green-and-yellow backdrop with Ducks and veteran imagery, six student veterans discuss how PAVE helped them succeed at the University of Oregon

Peer advisers PAVE the way for student vets to flourish

For Veterans Day, Ducks who served recognize the support group that helped them navigate college life

Story by MATT COOPER
Photos by UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS

One Duck found a group of like-minded individuals who helped her feel comfortable in her own skin. Another created beautiful paintings — and tangible memories. A third felt the satisfaction of helping with a tour for prospective students who, like him, are people of color with low income.

One thing binds the three: They are student veterans who found their way at the University of Oregon thanks in large part to PAVE, the Peer Advisors for Veteran Education.

The peer support program connects incoming student veterans with student veterans already at the UO to help them overcome challenges, find resources, and succeed in academic and personal ventures. Peer advisers have been at the university for at least two quarters, are in good academic standing and have been trained on university resources.

PAVE serves not just UO student veterans but any student connected to the military. That includes students in the reserve or National Guard and also those with family members who are in the military or have served.

The program was extolled earlier this year by Deputy Secretary Tanya Bradsher of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, who visited the UO in May to meet with student veterans for a roundtable on education benefits and other matters.

 

PAVE is a very unique program and definitely one that we should expand nationwide. 

—Tanya Bradsher, US Veterans Affairs

 

Bradsher called PAVE “phenomenal” in its support of student veterans and a model for such programs at universities and colleges nationwide.

“A lot of the schools across the nation have just one person who does basically just the (financial support) piece,” Bradsher said, “not the additional support and connections and being able to ensure that student veterans have knowledge on the additional resources that VA has. That’s what PAVE can provide in a unique way.”

But don’t take it just from the VA deputy secretary. The PAVE advisers who follow will tell you that the benefits of the program are as diverse as the student veterans who tap them to thrive at the UO.

8
Years of PAve at the university of Oregon
794
UO student veterans served
15
groups, benefits programs and other veteran resources

Jackie Bennett

Jackie Bennett

Hometown: Salamanca, New York
Major: Art and technology, Class of 2025

Branch of Service: U.S. Navy
Dates of Service: Active duty, October 2012 to October 2016, and reserve status until 2020
Rank: Petty Officer Second Class

What’s the best thing PAVE has done for you?

“Getting me in touch with other students like myself. I get to help them transition gently and get them in touch with a broader community of like-minded individuals. I don’t want anyone to feel alone or helpless. PAVE is a great resource to have on campus. We are always there for them and we want to help! Even if students aren't interested in PAVE, we want them to come and enjoy everything that the Student Veterans Center has to offer.”

Justin Krier

Justin Krier

Hometown: Denver, Colorado
Major: Doctoral candidate, earth sciences

Branch of Service: Marine Corps
Dates of Service: November 2011 to November 2016
Rank: E-5 Sergeant

What’s been your favorite PAVE experience? 

“I once got to help with a tour of student veterans from California who were thinking about graduate school. These students were all people of color who came from low income and using their benefits to help improve their lives. This is my background as well and it was really nice to meet with people who had similar ambitions and hopefully be able to help them on their path forward.”

Trevor Manaois

Trevor Manaois

Hometown: Tracy, California
Major: Business administration with a concentration in entrepreneurship, Class of 2025

Branch of Service: Air Force and Air National Guard
Dates of Service: Air Force active duty: January 2012 to October 2022; Air National Guard: October 2022 to September 2024
Rank: E-6 Technical Sergeant

What should student vets know about PAVE? 

“That the PAVE program is as low commitment as the advisee wants. Advisers are not there to check up on you or trick you into ‘mandatory fun,’ as we called it in the service. We are literally there to be a go-to resource on campus. We understand there is a lot to take in and sometimes campus life is a huge adjustment. We want to help relieve some of that stress and ensure veterans are focusing on academics instead.”

Marklin Nixon

Marklin Nixon

Hometown: Acampo, California
Major: Law, Class of 2025

Branch of Service: Marine Corps
Dates of Service: May 2012 to November 2022
Rank: E-6 Staff Sergeant

What’s been your favorite PAVE experience? 

"A guided painting session at the UO Craft Center. This event was co-coordinated by the UO Student Veteran Center and the Eugene Veteran Center and it was open to family members. My wife and I created beautiful paintings — my wife did, at least! — that are hanging in our home. It was an amazing time where I interacted with veterans from the school and local community, and I created a tangible memory with my wife.”

Elizabeth Quintanilla

Elizabeth Quintanilla

Hometown: Pico Rivera, California
Major: Master’s, nonprofit management and public administration

Branch of Service: Dependent of parents in the Army

What has PAVE given you?

“A sense of community and support for this new chapter in life. PAVE has helped me connect with student veterans who may or may not be struggling. It has been helpful to get to know the student veteran community and be the best support system for them as some of them transition into an academic setting. Student veterans should know that PAVE is there for them to better transition into this new chapter in life. PAVE helps provide resources, make friends, network, and build community within the military-connected groups.”

Priya Sage

Priya Sage

Hometown: Bay Area, California
Major: Dual master’s, strategic communication and immersive media communication

Branch of Service: Coast Guard
Dates of Service: 2014 to 2017
Rank: Petty Officer Third Class

What should student vets know about PAVE? 

“Through outreach and trained peer support, PAVE creates a sense of community that many of us miss after leaving service. A peer adviser can help navigate everything from managing educational benefits (often tricky to understand!) to finding the right resources for mental health support. PAVE is a partnership between the Eisenberg Family Depression Center at the University of Michigan and Student Veterans of America. While the military taught us to never leave anyone behind, PAVE ensures no veteran has to navigate college life alone.”

For more information, visit the Peer Advisors for Veteran Education or the Student Veterans Center.