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In �鶹��Ƶ’s College of Science—where nearly 16% of students are connected to the military—Air Force veteran Rylee Ledoux is using her public health experience and passion for the environment to support fellow veterans and pursue a future in environmental science. A former Air Force public health technician, she now serves as the senior military transition coordinator in �鶹��Ƶ’s Office of Military Services while completing her bachelor of science in environmental science and policy.

�鶹��Ƶ alumnus and U.S. Marine Corps veteran Christopher Michael “Mike” Johnson, MAIS ’11, was recently appointed University of West Georgia’s ninth president. He stepped into his new role on August 1.

Keith Renshaw joins President Gregory Washington to discuss the role George �鶹��Ƶ plays in providing service members, veterans, and their families the means to find community, purpose, and fulfillment beyond their military service.

Navy veteran Becca Simon says coming to �鶹��Ƶ and her experience as a student in the College of Public Health Department of Social Work has been life-changing.

�鶹��Ƶ continues to distinguish itself as a top academic institution and a top 50 public university. Today, U.S. News & World Report released their 2025 Best Online Programs rankings, highlighting the university’s exceptional offerings across several disciplines, especially for veterans.

�鶹��Ƶ’s commitment to the military community was officially recognized with a top designation as a 2024-25 Gold Military Friendly® School in the latest Military Friendly listings.

Jennifer Connors, director of �鶹��Ƶ's Office of Military Services, is the first recipient of the Admiral John Harvey Career Achievement in Military Education Excellence Award, which was presented by the Virginia Department of Veteran Services in September.

As associate director of the Office of Military Services, Barnett provides military-affiliated students with one-on-one support for everything from financial aid to counseling to career services.

�鶹��Ƶ doctoral students LeNaya Crandall Hezel and Lt. Col. Michelle Ruehl are part of the 2021 class of Tillman Scholars, named in honor of Pat Tillman, the former NFL star who was killed in Afghanistan in 2004 while serving with the U.S. Army Rangers.

For his dedication to �鶹��Ƶ’s military community, Ryan Barnett is one of only 19 people nationwide recognized as a 2021 Veteran Champion of the Year in Higher Education by G.I. Jobs.