experience as an undergraduate

Located on the third floor of the HUB, the OSVL is laying the groundwork for the future of veterans on campus. It’s focusing on building relationships among faculty, staff and service members looking to complete their education. And it provides a place of gathering — and connection — for student veterans.The inspiration for the OSVL stemmed from graduate student Lindsay Zike’s personal experience as an undergraduate. Having arrived on campus after serving four years in the Navy and being medically retired, she made the challenging transition from military to civilian life largely on her own.

“I didn’t talk to anyone around me,” she says. “I didn’t fit in with my fellow college students.”

With the future of UW student veterans in mind, Zike set out to drive the change she wanted to see. She worked alongside several student veterans to establish the place she had been looking for all along.

“It feels amazing to be able to give this back to others,” Zike says. “It was huge to be able to lead the team to get this here, and I’ll always look back and be proud of this.”

“The space is instrumental,” says Air Force combat veteran Sam Powers, the office’s first director. “I’ve watched some wonderful connections and relationships develop here, and it has been instrumental in helping student veterans get through their classes. It’s also a safe place for student veterans, and I want to keep it that way.”