Veteran and Military Student Success Center

The Veteran Transition Success Advocates (VTSAs) are Clinical Psychology graduate students from USC Aiken who serve the VMSS by working to assist veteran students through the various hurdles in their transition into civilian and college life. The VTSAs work in conjunction with Robert Murphy, the Director of VMSS, and Tristan Stone, the Program Coordinator, to ensure that the needs of all veterans, service members, and family members are being met.

At the beginning of each semester, the VTSAs meet individually with each incoming veteran student to speak to them about their service experience, transition into higher education, level of support during schooling, and their plan for academic success. The VTSAs also regularly meet with veterans and family members throughout the semester to discuss any areas of distress that they may be experiencing, including the following topics:

1. Time Management
2. Stress Management
3. Goal Setting
4. Study Habits
5. Healthy Communication
6. Coping Skills

Further, the VTSAs work with the USC Aiken Psychology Clinic to ensure that any veteran or military family member who may benefit from additional behavioral health services is connected to appropriate resources.