Mr. Robert A. Murphy is a graduate of the Darla Moore School of Business at University of South Carolina, with a Master of Business Administration, Bachelor of Science Business Administration, and a Minor in Professional Writing.

Mr. Murphy served over 30 years in a myriad of international, national, and community-based positions. He is a military veteran with zeal, passion of quality leadership and team success, and is highly regarded as an expert in community relations, military veteran community reintegration, team building, and results-based leadership.

Robert was born in Upstate New York, loves the Adirondack Mountains, and misses the “feet” of snow that comes with living in Upstate New York.

Prior to joining the USC Aiken Team, Mr. Murphy served on Capitol Hill as the Director, United Stated Capitol Police Special Operations Unit protecting Congress from Weapons of Mass Destruction threats. Before his time on the Hill, Robert completed over 20 years of honorable service as a United States Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer-4. He held the position of Immediate Response Force Executive Officer and Operations Officer assigned to 4th Marine Expeditionary Force Anti-Terrorism. Mr. Murphy led Marines in both national and international operations participating in Operations Enduring Freedom and Noble Eagle.

In his current position, he established the Office of Veteran and Military Student Success, which has seen a 116% enrollment increase, and a rapid increase in retention, progression, and graduation rates. Among several other prestigious awards, Military Times ranks USC Aiken as the #1 Best for Vets Universities in South Carolina. Mr. Murphy’s veteran and military student success practices are often cited as a national model for holistic reintegration and success services through collaborative community partnerships.

Mr. Murphy is also an Adjunct Professor in the University School of Business Administration. He loves the two courses he teaches: Principles of Management and Leadership, and Social, Ethical and Legal Aspects of Business. He is motivated to invest in the lives of students who aspire to realize their full leadership potential.

Robert’s community involvement includes being on the Board of Director’s for the Saratoga Warhorse Foundation. Saratoga WarHorse offers veterans a three-day experience that has proven to be effective and invaluable for those struggling to adjust to life after military service. The program is provided at no cost to the veterans.

Robert is proud to mention, he completed all of his formal education optimizing his Post 9/11 G.I. Bill.

Jessica Molidor graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science. She was born in Monterrey, Mexico and raised in Houston, Texas. She has lived in Texas most of her life until she recently moved to Fort Gordon with her husband.

Mrs. Molidor is enjoying the area so far and hopes to get more involved in the CSRA community.

In her current position, she serves the Office of Veteran and Military Student Success as VMSS Program Coordinator and the School Certifying Official for Veteran and Military Student benefits. She is very excited to be able to help USC Aiken students and be a part of the VMSS team.

She plans to get her Master’s Degree in Higher Education and hopes to gain experience that will help her become a great leader.

Chelsea Henry was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA and graduated from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She is currently enrolled at the University of South Carolina Aiken in the Master of Clinical Psychology Graduate Program.

Chelsea participated in the Army ROTC program throughout her years at Vanderbilt, and upon graduation she commissioned as an Active Duty officer. She spent a year in Korea and three years at Fort Gordon before departing the military.

Prior to working with the VMSSC, Chelsea also volunteered as a Crisis Counselor with the Crisis Text Line, where she was able to learn new skills in crisis management and coping skills. She joined the VMSSC team as a way to follow two of her greatest passions - the military family, and mental health.

Chelsea applied and was hired for the position as a Veteran Transition Success Advocate for the Office of Veteran and Military Student Success through the graduate student internship at USCAiken. In this role, she speaks with all incoming military affiliated members of the VMSS cohort on a one-on-one basis to ensure that their college transition is going as smoothly as possible. She makes continuous efforts to meet with students who are experiencing any mental health issues related to daily school, work, or personal stressors or concerns that may arise during their time at USC Aiken. This position was implemented in order to safeguard a successful and mentally healthy graduation for our military affiliated students.

After graduation Chelsea plans to continue her education through a PhD in Clinical Psychology, which will allow her to follow her dream of becoming a Professor of Psychology.

Ms. Samantha Dominguez is a sophomore pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Sociology. She is currently in charge of the daily administrative aspects of the Veteran and Military Student Success Center, as well as Front Office responsibilities. She is also a member of the national Society of Leadership and Success, as well as a MCL Riverfront Marine Photographer.

Samantha is a proud daughter of two Marine veterans, Stepdaughter to a Navy veterans, and Stepsister to a Navy Veteran. She was born in Oceanside, California, and like most military dependent children, she frequently moved to new locations. She had the privilege of living in Stuttgart, Germany, and all across the southern United States. This allowed her to experience many different cultures, languages, and many military functions.

She volunteered at Charlie Norwood, VA Medical Center of Augusta, Georgia while still attending High School, for three years. After her parents' retirement, she began volunteering her time to help military veterans, and acted as a photographer for the Marine Corps League, Riverfront Marines Detachment #1132.

The experiences she gained with her volunteer experience inspired her to seek out an opportunity to work with more veterans and led her to become a team member of USCA VMSSC where she is a lead team member in administrative facilitation and social media enterprises.

After graduation Samantha hopes to continue her education and gain a Master of Science in Sociology, and to eventually transition into a position as a social worker for the VA, so she may continue to help veterans.

Rebecca is a junior Sociology major with a focus on criminal justice. She is from Seattle Washington and has lived in South Carolina for almost 2 years now. Both of her parents were in the military; her dad was in the Navy for 20 years, and her mom was in the Army. She is one of the managers for the USC Aiken baseball team and has been doing that for 4 years now, both high school and college. She is excited to continue to be a part of the VMSS team with her friends and fellow students.

Ms. Kaitlyn Baxa is a freshman and pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education.

Kaitlyn was born in Slippery Rock, PA, but has been a South Carolina resident since she was the age of 4. Kaitlyn has always been one to give back to community and serve as a leader within her community and her school. Throughout middle and high school, she was captain of her cheerleading teams. While in high school, she became a part of FFA, culinary, volunteered with Helping Hands on Fort Jackson, and was captain of her bowling team. Kaitlyn is also a proud daughter of an Army Veteran of 29 years. Like her sister, she was raised on a set of moral and ethical values taught by her father.

With this in mind, Kaitlyn strived to be a part of the USCA community from the time she has arrived. She has joined the sorority Alpha Omicron Pi and has taken over the leadership positon of VP of administration and recording secretary. She became a part of the VMSS team in the Spring of 2019.

Once she graduates, Kaitlyn plans to pursue her dream of teaching kids so that she may have a part in molding the minds of the next generation.

Kylie Jupp was born and raised in Asheville, NC and graduated from Salem College with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. Kylie played soccer throughout her years at Salem where she was voted captain for both her junior and senior year. She is currently enrolled at the University of South Carolina Aiken in the Master of Clinical Psychology Graduate Program.

Kylie applied and was hired for the position as a Veteran Transition Success Advocate for the Office of Veteran and Military Student Success through the graduate student internship at USC Aiken. In this role, she speaks with all incoming military affiliated members of the VMSS cohort on a one-on-one basis to ensure that their college transition is going as smoothly as possible. She hopes to help encourage veterans, active service members, and family members to make the most of their time at USC Aiken through accomplishing their goals while simultaneously taking care of their mental health and personal lives.

After graduation Kylie plans to continue her education through a PhD in Clinical Psychology.

Jayma was born and raised in Greer, SC and graduated from Winthrop University with a Bachelor's of Arts in Psychology. She is currently enrolled at the University of South Carolina Aiken in the Master of Clinical Applied Psychology program.

Jayma applied and was hired for the position as a Veteran Transition Success Advocated for the Office of Veteran and Military Student Success through the graduate student internship at USC Aiken. In this role, she speaks with all incoming military affiliated members of the VMSS cohort on a one-on-one basis to ensure that their college transition is going as smoothly as possible.

After graduation Jayma hopes to continue her education by obtaining her PhD in Clinical Psychology, with the hopes of becoming a grief therapist.

Carlos was born in Oakland, California but has lived many different places. Carlos is a father of four daughters and five grandchildren, with one on the way. Carlos is also retired from the U.S. Navy after 20 years of active duty, Mine Warfare Specialist. He was a Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor in San Diego, CA at Aurora Behavioral Health. He also received his Associates in Psychology at San Diego City College.

When Carlos moved to Aiken, he wanted to return to counseling in SC but found out he needed a bachelor's degree to get licensed in the state which led him to pursue his bachelor's at USC Aiken.

Carlos hopes to finish his degree in the fall and get a job at one of the rehab centers in Aiken. His future goal is to open a recovery café in New Ellington.

Josh was born in Fort Bragg, North Carolina but was raised in North Augusta, South Carolina. After high school, he enlisted in the Navy as a Hospital Corpsman for 6 years. During his enlistment, he was attached to 3rd Battalion 2nd Marines in Camp Lejeune and assigned to a naval clinic in Port Hueneme, California prior to separation. After the Navy, Josh decided to return to where he had called home in hopes to make a positive impact on the community.

Josh elected to go USC Aiken in pursuit of higher education to prepare himself for the future. Becoming a part of the work study at USC Aiken was important to him because he wants to be an advocate for those involved with VMSS and help other veterans.

Josh hopes to graduate and find employment in the CSRA.

Kristin Hontz is a junior pursuing a bachelor’s degree in sociology with a minor in communication.

Kristin is from Hazleton, Pennsylvania and enlisted in the United States Navy directly after high school. After the Navy, she moved to Aiken and worked as a 911 dispatcher for Aiken County for four years. She is excited to join the VMSS team as a Student Success Advocate to help fellow students.

After graduation, Kristin hopes move to Florida and settle near the ocean.