The SPSCC Veteran & Military Family Resource Center has transformed to better serve our military community on campus. With a new location, a complete remodel, and new leadership with Coordinator Atraeyu Addessi joining in March 2025, the Center is enhancing support for veteran and military-adjacent students pursuing their educational goals.
Atraeyu brings valuable perspective from his service in the Navy and his own educational journey at the University of Oklahoma, working alongside Veteran Specialist Michelle Erzen to help students navigate VA benefits and campus resources. “Working with other veterans and military-adjacent students was an easy decision,” shares Atraeyu. “I enjoy the interactions, learning about their experiences and hearing stories about the places they’ve been. I understand the student perspective and want to work to remove the hurdles I encountered in seeking my education”
United Through Collaboration
The Center serves roughly 500 students as well as family members and other military-connected students. To learn how it supports veteran and military-adjacent students, we asked Atraeyu about the different services it provides.
Q: Who uses the Veteran & Military Family Resource Center, and how do they utilize the space?
A: "Veterans, military-adjacent students, and their families can find a welcoming space that serves as a resource hub for academic advising, VA benefits assistance, mental health support, peer mentorship, and a sense of community and fellowship. Many use the space to study, connect with peers, attend workshops, seek assistance with benefits or registration, or just unwind in a supportive environment. The Center serves students who are connected to the military in various ways, including veterans and non-veteran students who are military adjacent such as family members, dependents, and friends. Some students who have degrees are returning to college to make a career change or advance their skills and knowledge in a new field."
Q: How has the expansion and move to a larger space impacted the Center?
A: “Students have shared that the expansion has been transformational—creating more room for networking, study space, and a family-friendly area. Michelle Erzen’s long-term planning and her efforts to collaborate with students were instrumental to the success of the move. Now, it’s more accessible and provides greater visibility on campus.”
Q: What do you like most about working with the Center team and veteran student community?
A: “Hearing students’ success stories and their encouraging and supportive conversations. At the Center, they actively support one another by offering suggestions on how to navigate classes and sharing their experiences. It’s always a proud moment to hear the camaraderie actively developing. Providing support and offering resources is exactly what the Center is for!”
To learn more about services, activities, and upcoming events, contact the Veteran & Military Family Resource Center at VeteransServices@SPSCC.edu and visit the Veteran & Military Services webpage.
Looking Ahead
As the Center continues to grow, staff are committed to creating opportunities for students to be heard and included in the process. "My hope with the online presence is to broaden the scope and encourage more engagement from students. I look forward to gathering feedback on what the students want to see," explained Atraeyu.
Michelle has organized family-friendly events for Veteran's Day plus an annual Vets-Giving event over the past three years, creating opportunities for connection within the military community. Looking ahead, Atraeyu commented, "I hope the Center can host a variety of events, such as welcome socials, a guest speaker series, career readiness workshops, family events, and continue Memorial and Veterans Day celebrations. We also plan to connect with off-campus community resources, expand career-aligned services, increase community awareness, and offer more family-friendly events.”
Make a Difference for Veteran Students Today
You can support student success by making contributions to Foundation scholarships and grants. To provide emergency grant support for veteran students, visit the SPSCC Foundation’s Give Now webpage and designate the “Veteran’s Support Fund”.
Learn more by contacting the Foundation office at Foundation@spscc.edu or 360-596-5430.