18th Annual Student Veterans of America National Conference (NatCon)
Recently, I had the opportunity to travel to Colorado Springs to attend the 18th Annual Student Veterans of America National Conference (NatCon). This was my first SVA event—and my first major experience of this kind since transitioning out of the Army in May 2025.
Going into it, I was honestly a little nervous. Leaving the military and stepping back into an academic environment can feel isolating, especially when it seems like everyone else already has their footing in the civilian world. I wasn’t sure what to expect.
Over the course of those three days, though, that uncertainty completely disappeared. From the moment I arrived, I was welcomed by student veterans from chapters across the country—Old Dominion University, Southern Missouri, The Ohio State University, and many others. Every interaction felt genuine. People were quick to welcome me, congratulate me on my service, and, more importantly, support my transition into civilian and academic life. It felt like being part of a community that understood exactly where I was coming from. The speakers and panels throughout the conference only reinforced that feeling. Hearing from General James Mattis, Sergeant Major of the Air Force Joanne Bass, the Medal of Honor panel, and numerous other speakers was both humbling and motivating. Each session reminded me that service doesn’t end with the uniform, it evolves.
By the end of the conference, I felt honored and grateful to be part of something larger than myself. NatCon didn’t just give me inspiration—it gave me direction. I’m returning to The New School University in Manhattan with a renewed sense of purpose and a clear goal: to help start and build an SVA chapter that can offer the same support and sense of belonging that I experienced in Colorado Springs. I genuinely believe that Student Veterans of America should not just be an option, but a standard for veterans pursuing higher education.
For anyone navigating the transition from military service to academia, SVA provides something invaluable: community, understanding, and a reminder that you’re not doing this alone.
By Roberto, US Army Veteran and BPATS Student
