This Veterans Day, USC Upstate proudly extends its gratitude to the veterans within our community, celebrating their service and showcasing the university’s dedication to supporting veterans’ educational and career pursuits. Recognized on the prestigious Best for Vets: Colleges list, USC Upstate is committed to creating a welcoming and empowering environment for all veteran students.
This year, we’re sharing stories from three veteran students and one faculty member through a series of videos that provide a personal look into their experiences transitioning from military life to campus life. These inspiring stories reflect the strength, resilience, and dedication our veterans bring to their education and to the USC Upstate community.
“Being acknowledged as a ‘Best for Vets’ institution furthers our dedication to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for those who have served,” said Chancellor Dr. Bennie Harris. “Our veterans are an integral part of our campus, and we are honored to support them as they work toward their academic and career goals.”
In addition to earning this recognition, USC Upstate offers robust resources through its Veterans Affairs office, which provides specialized services to ensure a smooth transition and successful college experience for our veterans. From counseling and career development to student support groups, we’re proud to create pathways for our veteran students to thrive.
We invite our community and prospective students to watch these videos and join us in celebrating the extraordinary contributions of our veterans. Their dedication to both country and education enriches our campus, and we are grateful for the opportunity to support them at USC Upstate.
USC Upstate’s Veterans Affairs Office assists student veterans and families with service-related inquiries, benefits, education, and career guidance, while also handling V.A. benefit certifications. If you are a veteran looking for to continue your education, let USC Upstate take you to those greater heights. Please email Robin Hollis, Records Specialist, Veterans Coordinator, or call 864-503-5273 for further details.
Captain Lisa Lopez, USC Upstate Adjunct Professor of Mathematics And Computer Science
Zachary Billings, USC Upstate Sophomore, U.S. Army Specialist 4 (SP4) Veteran
Cecilia Salas-Hoffhaus, USC Upstate Senior, U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Veteran, currrently serving in the National Guard
Chante Jones, USC Upstate Senior, U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Veteran