Veterans Connections Program
Elizalde, JulianBranch: Coast GuardCollege/Department: Education – Bilingual Teacher Pathways Navigator
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CONTACT INFORMATION Email: elizaldej@wou.edu Phone: 8568 Location: RWEC 261 |
| Statement: Hello! I’m a WOU Alumni who currently serves as a Maritime Enforcement Specialist Third Class in the USCG Reserve. I work in the College of Education as the Bilingual Teacher Pathways Navigator. I help connect students to resources as well as licensure programs that work with them. Feel free to contact me or come to my office if you have any questions (or if you’d just like to meet a Coastie, we exist I promise). I may not know all the answers but we can learn together. | |
Braa, DeanBranch: ArmyCollege/Department: Sociology
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CONTACT INFORMATION Email: braad@wou.edu Phone: 88270 Location: BELL 215 |
| Statement: I advise many students with a diversity of needs. I am available to our veteran students as well. Many of my students do community service and practicums. So if veterans are interested in alternative forms of education with a focus on service, then I would be a serious asset. | |
Brooks, ChrisBranch: Air Force College/Department: Computer Science Division
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CONTACT INFORMATION Email: brooksc@wou.edu Phone: 89297 Location: ITC 302D |
| Statement: I was an officer in the USAF and separated as a Captain in 1996. I worked on cockpit research at Wright Laboratory at WPAFB, Dayton OH. I also have a son that is currently an officer in the Army, assigned to the 1st Armor Division in Fort Bliss, TX. I’m most interested in helping students that are considering careers in technology companies, even if they are not CS/IS majors. Veterans bring a unique perspective to organizations that need to innovate and execute on technology initiatives. I’m happy to mentor students to help them clarify and understand this perspective, and hopefully, be able to communicate that to future employers. | |
Bullis, LoriannBranch:College/Department: Library & Media Services
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CONTACT INFORMATION Email: bullisl@wou.edu Phone: 88884 Location: HL 117G |
| Statement: Hi! I’m glad you have chosen Western Oregon University. It is a wonderful campus where we do everything in our power to ensure you have a fabulous and smooth educational experience. For my part, I manage Hamersly Library’s Summit, Interlibrary Loan, Scan-and-Deliver (resource sharing) and mailing services. If you have any questions about these services, I’m your person. Please, do not hesitate to contact me. In addition to my library work, I have personal experience obtaining my BS and all-but my MS thesis as an older-than-average-college student who worked half-time while raising three daughters. In addition to my college experience, I have 20-plus years of personal and professional experience, and training providing support to military family members, friends, students who are or were active-duty, and may or may not be managing PTSD. I also provide support to a family member who is a 30-plus year USAF civilian employee who has traveled the world providing support via Airmen and Family Readiness. I am a great listener. I look forward to meeting and chatting with you. | |
Castellanos, AntonioBranch:College/Department: Financial Aid
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CONTACT INFORMATION Email: castellanosa@wou.edu Phone: 88682 Location: WC 140J |
| Statement: I’m a Bilingual Financial Aid Counselor in the Financial Aid Office. I currently apply Veterans Benefits like the Dependent Tuition Waiver and Yellow Ribbon awards to financial aid packages. To the many veterans and military members at our institution, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I’m happy to help any way I can. | |
Disney, PaulBranch: ArmyCollege/Department: Business/Economics Division
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CONTACT INFORMATION
Email: disneyp@wou.edu Phone: 88546 Location: WEST 208 |
| Statement: I served 29.5 years in Army Aviation and retired as a Colonel in 2010. I have served in Somalia, Germany, Korea, Hawaii and various places in-between. I am available to talk or provide assistance in anyway you need. | |
East, AaronBranch: ArmyCollege/Department: Graduate Studies & Research
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CONTACT INFORMATION
Email: easta@wou.edu Phone: 88792 Location: TH 104 |
| Statement: I am a former Army Officer who was commissioned at Western Oregon after graduating in 1987. I served on active duty from 1987 to 1990 as a First Lieutenant in the Ordnance Corps. I was a part of the first group of five who helped bring ROTC from Oregon State to Western Oregon. Proud to be Wolf, proud to be a veteran and honored to be a resource for you! | |
Erckenbrack, LetitiaBranch: Air ForceCollege/Department: Student Enrichment Program
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CONTACT INFORMATION
Email: erckenbl@wou.edu Phone: 88032 Location: AC 106 |
| Statement: My father was an Army medic. My uncle was a fighter pilot, flying Sky-hawk jets on the USS Coral Sea. 18 years after he was shot down over the Vietnamese jungle, his remains were finally returned to my family. My husband also served in Vietnam for the Air Force. I am an Educational Adviser in the Student Enrichment Program and would be delighted to assist our student veterans in any way I can. Thank you for your service. | |
Hall, CmBranch:College/Department: College of Education
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CONTACT INFORMATION Email: hallcm@wou.edu Phone: 88731 Location: RWEC 143 |
| Statement: I’m not a veteran but I started Veterans for Kerry when John Kerry ran for President and I worked closely with the veterans who served with John Kerry in Vietnam. Because of that work, I also have been to countless VFW and American Legion halls in my time. One of my dearest friends is a Vietnam vet, former US Senator Max Cleland. I also helped start a natl Veterans PAC in 2005. | |
Hughes, HenryBranch:College/Department: English Studies Department
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CONTACT INFORMATION Email: hughesh@wou.edu Phone: 89494 Location: BELL 316 |
| Statement: My father is a combat veteran of the Korean War, and many of my family members and friends have been in the military. Although I’ve never served in the armed forces, I often teach literature that deals with war, and I rely on veterans to help me better understand, to whatever degree possible, some of those experiences. As a civilian, I feel a great debt and responsibility to those men and women who have served this country. It’s a privilege and an honor to be a part of Veterans Connections at Western Oregon. | |
Olsen, MandyBranch:College/Department: Education & Leadership
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CONTACT INFORMATION Email: olsena@wou.edu Phone: 88471 Location: RWEC 163 |
| Statement: I have never served in the military myself but my spouse is an Iraq War Veteran and I have the experience of supporting a soldier throughout the entire process of training, deployment and reentry. My husband was deployed for 21 months as an infantryman in the Oregon National Guard. While in country he fought with Special Forces in the Battle of Fallujah and Najaf and received The Purple Heart when his patrol hit an IED and came under heavy fire outside of Baghdad. His platoon was honored with the Presidential Unit Citation Award because of heroism during the Battle of Fallujah. I am a strong advocate for Veterans and their families and passionately believe in supporting this important community as much as possible. I am a former elementary school teacher and am currently an instructor in the education program and my husband and I are both graduates of WOU. | |
Plec, EmilyBranch:College/Department: Communication Studies
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CONTACT INFORMATION Email: plece@wou.edu Phone: 88819 Location: BELL 114 |
| Statement: I have had family members and dear friends serve in various branches of the U.S. military and I’ve always felt that WOU is the kind of university where they would feel supported and be successful. Nobody knows how to navigate bureaucracy like Veterans, after all! As a result of some education about Veteran communication and cultural history, as well as the “Veterans on Campus” training, I feel I have a good foundation for understanding some of the issues students with military backgrounds may face, as well as how to be a support person to help you achieve your educational goals. | |
Scheck, StephenBranch:College/Department: Biology
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CONTACT INFORMATION Email: schecks@wou.edu Phone: 88277 Location: NS 221 |
| Statement: My father and all my (many) uncles and a fair number of cousins served in the military. But my most valuable experience with veterans was when I was a sophomore in college — contemplating dropping out of school. It was a handful of Vietnam veterans who pulled me into their group, mentored me and kept me going. I’ll forever be indebted to them. | |
Silbernagel, DarinBranch:College/Department: VP Finance & Administration
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CONTACT INFORMATION Email: silbernd@wou.edu Phone: 88176 Location: ITC 004 |
| Statement: I am not a Veteran but have been on campus since 1989 and can help students navigate many issues that arise, be it financial or business services related or in just knowing who to direct students to, to get needed services. Don?t hesitate in contacting me. | |
Singson, BeebBranch: Air ForceCollege/Department: Earth/Physical Science
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CONTACT INFORMATION Email: singsonb@wou.edu Phone: 89274 Location: NS 113 |
| Statement: I am the Lab Preparator for the Earth and Physical Science dept. I served as a mechanic in the USAF for 7 years and was stationed in Virginia, Korea, Germany and Utah with a little Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan for good measure. I am a WOU Graduate and am now WOU staff. I would be glad to provide any help I can to any of my fellow vets. | |
