Bowling Green State University (BGSU) offers a wide range of resources to help military and veteran students succeed academically, personally and professionally.
From advising and scholarships to mentorship and tutoring, the university aims to ease the transition from service to college while fostering a supportive community.
“The needs of military-affiliated students can be unique,” Bryan Bills, military program coordinator, said. “Our office is here to make sure they have the tools, guidance and connections to use their benefits to the fullest and succeed during their time at BGSU.”
The Nontraditional and Military Student Services (NTMSS) office provides benefit advising, resume workshops, tutoring and scholarships specific to military students. It also offers emergency funding, a laptop loan program and a Veteran Center with free printing, computers, CAC readers, snacks and a lounge space.
Peer support is another key element they offer. The Peer Advisors for Veteran Education (PAVE) program pairs incoming students with mentors from different military branches. These peer advisors help navigate benefits, course selection and the balance of military and college life.
“Sometimes the best support comes from someone who has already walked in your shoes,” Bills said.
For Annie Smaciarz, a junior in visual communication technology, member of the Air National Guard and PAVE team lead, the office has been essential.
“They’ve helped me every semester with scholarships and making sure my benefits are running,” she said. “The free printing, tutoring and just having a space to relax makes balancing student life with military life so much easier.”
Senior Will Shirey, marine reservist and president of Student Veterans of America, echoed that adjustment to college can be difficult.
“Boot camp and military training are highly structured environments,” he said. “Coming to college where people are quiet and you suddenly have so much free time, it’s a big adjustment. Having the office and PAVE mentors really helped me figure out how to manage it.”
Support also extends to dependents. Senior Ethan Edelbrock, dependent student and tutor, said tutoring helps keep students on track.
“Whether it’s exam prep, ROTC prep or just general tutoring, we’re here to make sure students don’t fall behind.”
BGSU’s approach is student-centered and proactive. Students who indicate military affiliation during the application process are contacted directly, while workshops and faculty outreach ensure resources remain visible year-round.
For Bills, the mission goes beyond academics: “This is about more than just helping students graduate. It’s about helping them transition, find balance and prepare for meaningful careers after college. We want them to know they’re supported from day one.”
