Military-affiliated and veteran students at the University of South Carolina Upstate now have a dedicated place on campus to study, spend time with fellow service members and find a sense of belonging.
The Military and Veterans Lounge, located in the library, was officially dedicated Sept. 11 during a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The idea for this space began several years ago with Patrick Saracino, Ph.D., CSCS, CISSN, assistant professor of exercise and sports science in the College of Education, Human Performance and Health and a former Army service member.
When Saracino joined USC Upstate, the university did not have a committed space for military and veteran students. As the university developed its strategic plan, he was asked to serve as the tactic leader for enhancing services and support for military and veteran students. Creating this type of space became one of his priorities.
“This has been many years in the making,” Saracino said.
Saracino envisions the lounge as more than a place to gather. He hopes it will grow into a veteran resource center where students can access assistance with military benefits, mental health services and other needs while building relationships with fellow veterans.
“Community is a huge piece of it,” Saracino said. “It’s what most folks miss most when they get out of service, they want that camaraderie.”
For Zacheriah Richards, Student Veterans Association student president, the lounge fills a need he experienced firsthand.
“Before the Student Veterans Association club, we had nowhere to really meet or talk to other veterans. I had no clue who was a veteran at USC Upstate,” Richards said.
“Having our own space for veterans and active-duty service members means a lot to me as both a veteran and a student,” he said.
Paulette Dunn, Upstate regional integration officer with the South Carolina Department of Veterans’ Affairs, said the lounge represents more than a physical space.
“The USC Upstate Military and Veterans Lounge represents more than a place for military-affiliated students to hang out,” Dunn said. “It reflects the commitment to honoring the service of the students.”
The lounge includes a quiet study area, a collaboration area with a conference table and television for virtual meetings, and a relaxation area where students can take a break between classes.
Military and veteran students will receive access through their USC Upstate ID cards and can use the lounge whenever the library is open.
The space will provide a setting for USC Upstate to work with military- and veteran-serving organizations throughout the region. Representatives will be invited to meet with students and provide information about services, mentorship and other opportunities available in the community.
“The lounge will serve to engage local, regional and statewide partnerships invaluable to ensure students thrive,” Dunn said.
For Saracino, the project is personal. He left the Army in 2022, and his own experience helped shape his desire to help students navigate the transition from military service to civilian and academic life.
“No matter how long you serve, that transition from military to civilian side can be tricky,” Saracino said. “Having the support to get through that is going to be helpful for our students.”
Jacob Jackson, a student veteran, said that transition can make finding a sense of belonging difficult.
“Most veterans, myself included, struggle to find a community and belonging once they get out of the military,” Jackson said.
He hopes the lounge and the Student Veterans Association will give students a place to find that sense of belonging while also making it easier to seek assistance when needed.
“My hope is that the lounge and the Student Veteran Association will be a safe and helpful place for veterans and service members to come together and seek the help and resources that we need to be as successful as possible,” Jackson said.
During the dedication, Chancellor Harris emphasized the university’s commitment to creating a place where military-affiliated students feel welcome.
“At its heart, this lounge sends the message that our military-affiliated students and veterans have a place at USC Upstate where they are welcome, supported and connected both to this campus and to the broader community,” Harris said.
For Richards, the hope is that the lounge and the Student Veterans Association continue to grow well beyond the dedication.
“I really hope that when I graduate, this program and the SVA club are still alive and thriving,” Richards said.
Jackson has a simple measure for what success will look like.
“My biggest hope for this lounge and association is that we are able to make a difference in at least one veteran or service member’s life,” Jackson said. “Even just a small change, whether that be just to have a space to come and relax or just have a place to study in-between classes, is all I am hoping for.”
For more information on the resources available to our military and veteran students, please visit our Veterans page. More photos can be found in our Flickr album.