UNLV’s Military and Veteran Services Center (MVSC) reached its latest milestone with the arrival of Tanya Bradsher. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs deputy secretary’s visit on March 8 was the first of its kind for the campus – allowing student veterans to voice their thoughts directly to Washington, D.C.
Sec. Bradsher came with representatives from three congressional offices to speak with the university’s chapter of the Student Veterans of America (SVA), and learn more about the programs UNLV offers military veterans, active-duty service members, and their families.
“It’s phenomenal. UNLV has a really dedicated staff to be able to take care of one of the larger numbers of veterans in the country,” said Bradsher. “To listen and meet with the student veterans, as well as the program, I’m incredibly impressed.”
Sec. Bradsher is VA’s first female deputy secretary, first woman of color to serve in the position, and the highest-ranking woman in its over 90-year history. A fourth-generation veteran, she is a combat veteran of the Iraq War and served in the U.S. Army for 20 years, retiring as a lieutenant colonel.
The university, through its MVSC, currently enrolls more than 1,700 military-affiliated students. In 2023, UNLV ranked among the nation’s top 10 “Military Friendly” campuses of its size by G.I. Jobs Magazine, and it again earned a “Best for Vets” designation from Military Times.
More than a dozen student veterans attended the roundtable, along with certifiers and government officials, to discuss measures they’d like to see nationally to ensure their success and enrich their lives – such as shoring up unique blind spots in their benefits or speeding up the disbursement of funds.
“It takes all three branches of the federal government to build solutions,” said Bradsher. “Hearing from our veterans on all issues — from health care to education – is vital because that’s how we identify what policies need changes and adjustments.”
Health care support and mentoring programs such as Peer Advisors Veteran Education and Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership all continue to help elevate UNLV’s standing amongst the country’s elite schools for veteran education. The university is part of the VA VetSuccess program with a VA benefits counselor on campus. UNLV is one of just three universities in the nation to offer both VetSuccess and VA VITAL programs.
It also has an active student veteran organization, Rebel Vets, and UNLV student members have twice been named the nation’s Student Veteran of the Year by the Student Veterans Association of America. It also happens to be one of the most diverse student groups on campus.
“This was a good time to show what we do to take care of our veterans,” said Ross Bryant, a U.S. Army veteran and director of the MVSC. “I’m thrilled that our vets center has had this opportunity to shine.”
To date, UNLV has helped more than 9,000 military-affiliated students jumpstart their academic careers. That includes active-duty service members, National Guard, reservists, veterans, and military family members with transferred benefits.
