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 various international, national, and community-based positions. He is a military veteran with zeal, passion of quality leadership and team success. He 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 come with living in Upstate New York.

Before joining the USC Aiken Team, Mr. Murphy served on Capitol Hill as the Director, United States 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 the 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 GI BILL®.

Tristan Stone graduated from the University of South Carolina Aiken with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Originally from Bel Air, Maryland, he moved to the CSRA to pursue his degree and has since placed his roots in Aiken, South Carolina.

He remains involved with his community by serving as an advisor to his local fraternity and participating in both local and national philanthropic campaigns.

He currently serves the Office of Veteran and Military Student Success as VMSS Program Coordinator and the School Certifying Official for Veteran and Military Student benefits. As a veteran, he has an affinity for the veteran and military community. He is very excited to be able to help USC Aiken students and be a part of Team VMSS.

Mr. Stone is currently pursuing his Master of Business Administration from the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina.

Adam is currently a sophomore pursuing a Bachelor of Applied Computer Science with a concentration in Cyber Security at UofSC Aiken. He is excited to be part of the VMSS team as a Student Success Advocate in support of fellow veterans.

Adam was born in California but moved around frequently due to his father being in the Navy – growing up in Maine, Virginia, Illinois and Florida. After high school and a brief stint in college at Pensacola State, Adam joined the US Air Force and served at Tinker AFB OK, Daegu South Korea, Eglin AFB FL, and went on several deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

After departing the USAF, Adam worked for several years as a Defense Contractor in the Middle East – primarily in Iraq and Afghanistan. He then moved to Southeast Asia and spent a few years travelling with his wife. Now, back in the US after more than 10 years abroad, he is focused on completing his current degree and finding employment in the CSRA region.

Shamiya Pringle is currently a junior pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Management at the University of South Carolina Aiken.

Shamiya was born and raised in Georgetown, SC. She enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in September 2019 and this opportunity has offered many traveling experiences that she enjoys every minute of. Around campus you can find Shamiya promoting Pacer Pride and dedicating her time to a variety of student organizations she is involved in, such as the Rotaract Club, C.U.R.L.S, and Pacer Union Board (PUB). She also serves as an admissions ambassador to incoming students. In her free time, Shamiya enjoys traveling, exploring new places and trying new food. Shamiya has many places on her bucket list to visit, but her number 1 spot is Thailand to swim with the elephants!

Knowing how difficult it can be at times to juggle military life and student life, Shamiya was inspired to join the VMSS team to support and encourage students along their educational journey through the university and onto their prospective career paths. Shamiya is delighted to be a part of the VMSS team and looks forward to working with you all.

Marcus is a transfer sophomore student at the University of South Carolina Aiken, seeking a degree in Exercise and Sports Science. He wants to one day becoming a Physical Therapist and aid people on their road to recovery so they can get back to the lives they want to live.

Born in Goldsboro, North Carolina, but raised in South Carolina, this remarkable young man has always been focused on making a difference and helping those in need since his days of volunteer work at church. Some of the community work he did in high school for JROTC involved providing water for marathon runners or picking up trash on the roads. This young man has always sought to be a pillar of the community.

Once he graduates, Marcus intends to pursue a career in Physical Therapy, along with pursuing a Master's Degree in Psychology, because he believes that to heal the body, you must heal the mind.

Grace Lewis is pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Pre-Law. She plans to go to law school and pursue military law JAG. She is doing ROTC to ensure her commission upon graduation.

She was born and raised in North Augusta, South Carolina. She graduated from North Augusta High School, where she was heavily involved in ROTC and did many community service events through the organization. Some of her favorites were VA Bingo, where she played bingo with disabled veterans, the food bank, where she organized and checked expiration dates for food; and the animal shelter, where she cleaned and read to the animals.

Grace joined the Army National Guard at seventeen. She completed her basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and her Advanced Individual Training at Fort Lee, Virginia. Grace is the first in her family to join the military and enjoys every minute of it. She knows how vital and hard it can be to step out and do something for the first time. That is why she is here to help with all your processing needs.

Brandi DeHaven is a current Student at USCA pursuing a degree in computer science with a concentration in cybersecurity. Approaching her third year in the National Guard as an Information Technology specialist, she has witnessed how much the military can kickstart a professional career. She aims to become a procedure writer and an advocate for those who seek higher education but lack the tools and privileges to do so.

As a current student success advocate on the VMSS team, Brandi strives to connect the student to their resources and benefits to pursue their degree with minimal financial stress. She works in this role through her work-study program.

In her spare time, surrounded by her eight cats, Brandi enjoys hiking, home brewing, and road trips. Brandi looks forward to helping each student have a little less confusion and stress in their lives and finds it pivotal to network as much as possible. Meet her at the office!

Ian is a transfer sophomore pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at the University Of South Carolina Aiken. He has a goal of entering the aerospace industry to design new aircraft.

Originally born In Tampa, Florida, Ian moved to Aiken in second grade, eventually graduating from South Aiken High School. After a brief stint of college in Kentucky, Ian moved home and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He took advantage of multiple opportunities to travel and have incredible experiences. Ian enjoys reading, lifting weights, and watching movies in his free time.

Growing up with an Air Force Veteran father, Ian developed a deep respect and gratitude for service members, veterans, and their families. He joined the VMSS Team to lend a hand in putting students in the best positions possible to achieve all their life goals!

Ashley Ouellette was born in South Bend, Indiana. As a Navy brat, she lived all over the world (Florida, Virginia, Japan, Rhode Island, Italy, and Nebraska) and eventually settled in Augusta, Georgia. She attended the University of Georgia. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a minor in Human Services in 2022. Ashley is currently enrolled at the University of South Carolina Aiken in the Applied Clinical Psychology Master’s Program.

Ashley currently works as a Veteran Transition Success Advocate (VTSA) for the Office of Veteran and Military Student Success at USC Aiken. As a VTSA, she assists military-affiliated students by ensuring they are connected to resources around campus to help provide a smooth transition to higher education. She offers services in the development of study skills, time management, goal-setting, stress relief techniques, healthy communication in relationships, etc. Ashley also works to provide a safe space for military and veteran students to talk. Her goal is to do her part (alongside her fantastic team) in assisting all military and veteran students in reaching their career, educational, and life goals.

Ashley enjoys baking, traveling, reading, and hanging out with her two cats. She also loves talking to people, especially students in the VMSS office! After graduation, Ashley intends to begin working as a licensed professional mental health counselor.

Kaitlyn Lund graduated from The University of Tennessee Southern with her undergraduate degree in behavioral sciences and a minor in biology. She played volleyball all four years and is continuing her fifth year of eligibility here at USC Aiken while obtaining her master’s degree in Applied Clinical Psychology. Her current goals are to become either a sports psychologist or an equine-assisted therapist. Currently, she would love to pursue a Ph.D. after graduating.

As a Veteran Transition Success Advocate on the VMSS team, Kaitlyn aims to provide resources to enhance learning, navigate stress, and reach life goals. She works with students one-on-one to help make the transition to higher education as smooth as possible. She works in this role through her assistantship for her graduate program.

When she isn’t at school or on the court, you will find her reading or napping with her 15-year-old Jack Russel, Lizzy. Kaitlyn looks forward to growing with the team and is excited to make connections to assist as many students as possible.

Derek Marshall is a current senior at the University Of South Carolina Aiken, seeking a double degree in Business Marketing and Communications with a concentration in Emerging Media. He plans to one day become a Social Media Marketer/Coordinator and assist businesses in advertising/promoting their companies the ways they vision it. In line with his goals and working in the Veterans and Military Success Office, Derek has been working on Social Media Management, Social Media Analytics and gaining leadership qualities.

Born in Greenwood, SC but raised only an hour away in Greenville, SC, Derek is a Military Family Member to his Veteran Father, who served in the Army before he was born. He is the youngest of four siblings and has four nieces & two nephews. He loves to spend time with his friends & family and play video games in his spare time.

To remain active around campus, Derek took on the role of the Veterans Senator on the SGA board, a Social Media Internship, and a USCA Esports Gaming Team member. He enjoys the time that he can spend time with friends and network with potential employers/employees every day.

B.S. in Business Management & Psychology Minor, Current Music Major at University of South Carolina Aiken.

Zachary A. Griffin is a senior transfer student at the University of South Carolina Aiken, currently seeking a degree in Music with a concentration in Vocals. He is also interested in attending Graduate school for Applied Clinical Psychology or Mental Health Counseling.

Born in Gastonia, North Carolina, but raised in Gaffney, SC. After completing high school, he pursued and received a degree in Business Management with a minor in Psychology in 2017. After a few years working in Industrial Sales, he decided to enlist with the South Carolina Army National Guard on August 28th, 2019. After a year of military training, he returned and volunteered to assist the state of South Carolina with the Covid Relief Effort from 2020-21. After finishing these orders, he moved to Aiken and enrolled at USC Aiken to do a year of psychology to better prep himself for Graduate School Application. Now he is a Music Major while waiting to get accepted into a Graduate Program.

After entering Graduate School, he intends to do ROTC as well, so he can become an officer and join the med corps in the Army to do Behavioral Mental Health.