MSSC Centennial Newsletter 2014

UTEP MILITARY STUDENT SUCCESS CENTER PRESENTS

ISSUE No.2 / CENTENNIAL EDITION 2014

Calendar of Events/ UPCOMING EVENTS September 5, 2014

· Minerpalooza October 6-10, 2014

· Homecoming November 10-14, 2014

· Veteran’s Week

MILITARY APPRECIATION WEEK AT UTEP!

December 6, 2014

· 2014 Fall Graduation Reception

By Alicia Johnson

U

TEP held a weeklong of events in celebrating and recognizing our military affiliated students (MAS : includes our active duty, veterans, and dependents) beginning April 28, 2014, a few days before Military Appreciation Month. We wanted to show our appreciation to our MAS for staying focused and dedicated in continuing their education here at UTEP. Besides MSSC there were multiple departments that partnered in planning the wide variety of events that were held. These events were not only for MAS but for all students to partake in.

MSSC Campus RECON was a scavenger hunt of fourteen different locations around campus for students to find. This was a creative way to get students familiar with the campus and certain departments that can be very helpful while attending UTEP. All 10 winners received prizes donated from UTEP departments and some local businesses in El Paso.

We kicked off Military Appreciation Week with the Military Students Association open house.

Giving students the chance to speak with current members and get information on how to join this student organization.

Thanks to Coney Island of El Paso, we had a successful turn out for MSSC monthly Lunch Socials.

The Block Party was a semiformal ceremony, including ROTC presenting colors, guest speakers Dr. Smith the Vice Provost of EU, Xavier Jones a ROTC student here at UTEP, and a guest singer

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Content BRAVO ZULU: MSSC Success Stories. . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Centennial Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Ft. Bliss Office Description. . . . . . . . 4 A Message from the MSA . . . . . . . . . 6

Visit us at military.utep.edu

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| MILITARY APPRECIATION WEEK AT UTEP!

By Alicia Johnson

The Guidon newsletter is published by UTEP staff members through the Military Student Success Center.

It is published once every fall and spring semester.

The Guidon newsletter is not responsible for any claims made by advertisers. Views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the University.

The Guidon newsletter welcomes your comments. Please contact us at mssc@utep.edu.

From left to right: Becky Carlos, MSSC Assistant Director, Dr. Michael Smith, Vice Provost and Dean of Extended University, Tiffany Henley, MSSC Spring Intern, Priscilla Tremenheere, MSSC Counselor, Nadia Munoz, MSSC Director, Alicia Johnson, MSSC Outreach Work Study, and Josie Carmona, Assistant Dean of Extended University.

The Military Student Success Center (MSSC) at the University of Texas at El Paso is your designated starting point if you desire to pursue a college degree.

The MSSC and their dedicated staff (many of whom are veterans and students) are here to help personnel in any branch of the service to reach their educational goals.

The University of Texas at El Paso boasts a stellar nationwide reputation and offers the lowest out-ofpocket tuition cost of any national research University.

Whether you are a new, transfer, returning or continuing student, the MSSC is a one-stop starting point for virtually all phases of enrollment and education benefits information.

MSSC Staff DIRECTOR

NADIA MUNOZ, BS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

BECKY CARLOS, BA MSSC COUNSELORS

PRISCILLA TREMENHEERE, MPA VETERAN BENEFITS ASSISTANT

Kayla Bellows a military spouse. The ceremony ended with the cutting of the cake and free cupcakes to those students who wrote on a postcard to send to our active duty soldiers showing our appreciation for what they do every day for our country.

“Military to Miner Day” an event held by UTEP ROTC and MSSC was for those students who were either interested in any ROTC programs or just needed some information on transitioning from military to student here at UTEP. Our final event to end Military Appreciation Week was the 2014 Spring/Summer MAS Graduation Reception. This was a simple reception to show our congrats to our MAS here at UTEP on graduating, by distributing MSSC graduation cords to those who are ROTC, active duty and veterans, along with a commemorative coin to all MAS including dependents as well.

VICTOR RAMIREZ

Contact MSSC Staff at: MSSC@utep.edu 915-747-5342 Library Room 205 military.utep.edu

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Military Appreciation Week (MAW) Events

April 28- May 3, 2014

April 4 to May 2, 2014 • MSSC Campus RECON Scavenger Hunt April 28, 2014 • Military Student Association Open House @ Library April 29, 2014 • UTEP CASS Open House • MSSC Lunch Social @ Student Union East April 30, 2014 • Block Party @ Union East Center Lounge on 2nd floor • Resume and Interview Workshop for MAS @ UTEP Career Center May 1, 2014 • UTEP ROTC and MSSC “Military to Miner Day” @ Library May 2, 2014 • Resume and Interview Workshop for MAS @ UTEP Career Center • Get Real Film Series Movie @ UTEP Union Cinema May 3, 2014 • 2014 Spring/Summer MAS Graduation Reception @ Ft. Bliss Centennial Hall • Get Real Film Series Movie @ UTEP Union Cinema

MILITARY STUDENT SUCCESS CENTER | ISSUE NO. 2 • CENTENNIAL EDITION 2014

Did you know?

The meaning of “Bravo Zulu”: This is a naval signal, conveyed by flaghoist or voice radio, meaning “well done”; it has also passed into the spoken and written vocabulary.

Information obtained from the Naval History & Heritage Command site: http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq101-2.htm

BRAVO ZULU: MSSC Success Stories Interviewed by Jeff Gonzales

MSSC wants to acknowledge our military affiliated students with our BRAVO ZULU success stories, featuring a student and their journey here at UTEP.

Name: Muhammad Saad Sheikh (Shake) Hometown: Orange County, CA Major: Communications Advertising / Minor Marketing MSSC: What was your role in the military?

Sheikh: I served on active duty for the U.S. Army for nine years as a 92A Automated Logistical Sergeant. I was in Korea for a year and then arrived at Ft. Bliss where I spent the majority of my time training for Iraq and deploying and re-deploying. I worked with the SAMS-E system, properly inventorying our supplies at hand and ensuring that all products were shipped on time and were sent out to the proper units. I was heavily involved in the BOSS (Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers) program as a soldier and eventually was elected BOSS President of Ft. Bliss my last few years in the Army.

We managed to get a BOSS Bus, an office at the new Soldier Activity Center and provided countless hours of community service for the surrounding areas. I was with the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea, then the 1st Cavalry Division at Ft. Bliss and then the 1st Armored Division. I deployed twice to Iraq and was part of the huge transformation that Ft. Bliss went through expanding exponentially into East Bliss.

MSSC: What brought you to El Paso/UTEP? Sheikh: The Army brought me to El Paso and I fell in love with El Paso as the people were friendly and reminded me of Southern California. I decided to attend UTEP since I have been in El Paso for quite some time and made new friends here as well.

MSSC: What are your hobbies and interests?

Sheikh: I like being involved on campus and joining many different organizations. I love sports and am currently involved with Phi Delta Theta as their Recruiting and Public Relations Officer, Student Government Association as their Attorney General, Military Student Association as their Outreach Chair, Inter-fraternity Council as their Vice President of Internal Affairs and will be the incoming Campus Activities Board intern for the Student Engagement and Leadership Center fall 2014.

MSSC: Can you express your short and long-term goals?

Sheikh: I currently am a sophomore at UTEP and plan on graduating in December 2016 while looking at the job market here in El Paso. I also would like to get as many students involved with organizations here at UTEP as my short term goal. I would like to pursue my Masters and possibly going back into the military as an officer here in El Paso while having a full time job here as my long term goal.

MSSC: Do you have any advice for other military students who are transitioning to college life?

Sheikh: The most important thing I would say is to get the paperwork in place as soon as possible to get accepted into college and use their GI Bill benefits. I would also highly recommend them to get involved on campus and join organizations to stay active on campus and meet new people.

MSSC: What do you hope to do with your education?

Sheikh: I hope to help veterans continue their education and get involved both in and out of campus. Knowing what departments to go to and just getting out of the comfort zone to try something new and adventurous. I would eventually like to work for a marketing or advertising firm that helps veterans transition from military to civilian life whether it be in the work force or to help pursue their education.

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Visit us at military.utep.edu

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BRAVO ZULU: MSSC Success Stories Interviewed by Jeff Gonzales

for military personnel deploying to various areas in CENTCOM. MSSC: What brought you to El Paso/UTEP? Driscoll: I was working as a government contractor at White Sands Missile Range but contract work is getting increasingly harder to find, so I decided to go back to school to obtain my Masters in History.

Name: Patrick Driscoll Hometown: El Paso Major: Master of Arts in History MSSC: What was your role in the military?

Driscoll: My story with the U.S. Army actually started at UTEP. I was taking classes here as a freshman when I was approached by a recruiter from the UTEP ROTC program. I tried it out, stuck with it, and four years later ended up commissioning as a Second Lieutenant in Military Intelligence in 2005. From there I served four years on active duty at Fort Bliss with 4th Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, where I deployed to Mosul, Iraq in October 2006 for 15 months. My initial role while deployed was the assistant S-2 for 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment where I assisted in mission analysis during planning for operations that mostly consisted of anticipating enemy courses of action, as well as counter IED analysis and requesting Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance assets for missions. After I got off of active duty I served three years in the U.S. Army Reserves with the 647th Regional Support Group and deployed for ten months to Qatar where I was the Officer in Charge of joint logistical support section that handled Reception, Staging, Onward-movement and Integration

MSSC: Do you have any hobbies and interests outside of UTEP student life?

Driscoll: Music festivals, running, road trips, and trying strange and exotic foods at hole in the wall restaurants.

MSSC: What about your short and long-term goals, do you have any in place?

Driscoll: My short term goal is to graduate from the Master’s Program at UTEP, but I would eventually like to get my Ph.D. as well.

MSSC: Any advice for other military students who are transitioning to college life?

Driscoll: I would say study all the available benefits that you are eligible from your military service as well as any benefits that your school offers to all students well in advance. Besides the G.I. Bill there are many other programs that are available to students such as the Hazlewood Act if you are a Texas veteran, as well as financial aid and work study positions.

MSSC: What do you hope to do with your education?

Driscoll: I hope to get certified to teach dual credit courses to high school students that count for both high school and college credit. I would also like to teach history at community college as well.

GRADUATING THIS DECEMBER? PICK UP YOUR GRADUATION CORDS! All active duty, veterans and ROTC students that will be graduating this Fall can pick up their cords at the Graduation Reception.

- December 6 - 3pm to 5pm - Tomás Rivera Conference Center (Union Building East - 3rd Floor - Room 308) OR the week of December 8th at the MSSC Office (Library Rm 205).

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FORT BLISS OFFICE DESCRIPTION By Samantha Ungos MSSC Outreach Graduate Assistant Army Veteran

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s a military friendly school, The University of Texas at El Paso – Military Student Success Center (MSSC) takes pride in assisting our military-affiliated students to the best of our ability. Besides assisting students here on the UTEP campus, we are also conveniently located at the Fort Bliss Education Center in Building 406. The MSSC supports military service members and their dependents by providing assistance with admissions, degree program information, and education benefits. Our trained staff is dedicated to helping you navigate the admissions process to set you on the path to achieving your educational goals.

Every Thursday, a representative from the MSSC briefs incoming service members and their dependents at the Fort Bliss Welcome Center Briefing.

General information about UTEP, degree programs, and tuition assistance is provided. Service members are encouraged to visit the MSSC office to further discuss their educational goals.

Location: Fort Bliss Education Center Building 406 (East Bliss across from 1AD HQ)

Phone: 915-744-1382

Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 am – 12:00 pm or by appointment

Website:

www.military.utep.edu Contact:

Victor Ramirez E-mail: mssc@utep.edu

MILITARY STUDENT SUCCESS CENTER | ISSUE NO. 2 • CENTENNIAL EDITION 2014

Centennial HIGHTLIGHTS

• Extended University P3 Volleyball Tournament

By Alicia Johnson MSSC Outreach Work Study Navy Veteran

UTEP Women’s History Month Conference March 24-27, 2014 • MSSC panel “Perspectives of Women in the Military”@ Union East Rm 102D MSSC hosted a panel at UTEP Women’s History Month Conference on March 27, 2014. It presented every background which included two active duty women from the Navy and Army, two veteran women from the Navy and Army, and a military spouse. A variety of topics were discussed along with a few questions asked by viewing students.

• B-Strong 5k Event

Ft. Bliss MWR Easter-Avaganza Color Explosion April 19, 2014 • MSSC Information Table @ Biggs Park In bringing awareness as April being the Month for Military Children, the MSSC volunteered to participate in a 1 mile parade on Ft. Bliss as well as having an information table along with UTEP’s P3, providing active duty and dependents with information on programs offered here at UTEP. UTEP Centennial Open House April 12, 2014 • MSSC Information Table @ Miner Alley Thanks to the Army National Guard in El Paso, we had a great time climbing the rock wall along with giving interested students information of how to use military benefits at UTEP if they qualify.

• MSSC participated in the UTEP Women’s History Month Another highlight to MSSC is the UTEP Women’s History Month. We were cordially invited to hold a panel discussing the topic of “Perspective of Women in the Military”. This discussion included every aspect of experiences from women associated with or in the military, such as, active duty, retired, reserve, and a military spouse. The turnout was great and the MSSC hopes to continually be involved in an event like this in the near future!

• We were invited to hold a panel discussing the topic of “Perspective of Women in the Military.”

UTEP Alumni Pick Nic

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hat a way to cap the end of UTEP’s Summer break than with the Alumni Pick-Nic that took place July 12, 2014. This event allowed the Military Student Success Center to show off their new look with orange camouflage t-shirts, along with participating in the fun festivities , such as hula hoop contest, tug of war, basketball, Zumba and several raffles. It was an awesome turn out and the MSSC is looking forward to doing this event again next year.

Visit us at military.utep.edu

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MILITARY STUDENT SUCCESS CENTER | ISSUE NO. 2 • CENTENNIAL EDITION 2014

UNIVERSITY CAREER CENTER RESOURCES

A Message from the MSA ( Military Student Association)

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ear Active Military Member, Veteran or Dependent,

The MSA is a student organization of UTEP. We were created with the intention to support, advocate, educate, and bring together all our military, veteran, family members, and patriotic students.

My name is Jeff Gonzales and I am currently the President of UTEP’s Military Student Association (MSA). Besides being a current UTEP student, I served on active Army for 9 years and then I continued to serve in the Texas National Guard for 8 years until retirement; a total of 17 years. For the past semesters, our club has attempted to recruit new members to meet and discuss their opinions, suggestions and ideas on improving the college environment for new and current military affiliated students.

Our organization encourages making a better way of enhancing our members and other military affiliated students’ educational journey.

We strive to ensure all members are taken care of! We all deserve the right to make a difference in transitioning from military to civilian, and what better way to do that than through this organization.

Joining the Military Student Association is a great way to become involved in campus activities. Also it is a great opportunity to meet new people and possibly even rekindle old military friendships. This organization consists of a team

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of Air Force, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, Army, National Guard, and Reserves. There are no membership fees, and membership is open to all students of UTEP! If you are a current member of the MSA, we look forward to seeing you once again. If you are not currently a member, we look forward to meeting you at our monthly meetings. In the future, you will receive periodic emails specific to your interests of membership. I’m certain you will be pleased with the benefits our club offers. This will also be a perfect opportunity for you and our club leaders (listed below) to become acquainted with each other.

Vice President: Alicia M. Johnson Secretary: Samantha Ungos Treasurer: Richard Alegria Outreach Chair: Muhamad (Shake) Sheikh Advisor: Nadia Munoz If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact us. You can “Like” us on Facebook and find us on minetraker.utep.edu.

Sincerely,

Jeff Gonzales MSA President Outreach VA Utep jgonzales9@miners.utep.edu UTEP Office - Library, Rm 205

Ever wonder how to craft a ‘military to civilian’ resume’ and why it’s different from a standard resume’? What about how to land a top-paying federal job, or what it’s like inside a U. S. Embassy? The University Career Center now has resources for our military Miners to check out and get informed. There are wide assortment of helpful titles, so come by our offices in room 104 of the Union East building and check one out!

To see a complete list of resources available, go to www.military.utep.edu

Did you know?

After WWII ended in 1945, the Vet Village was established on campus to accommodate the large number of veterans attending the College.

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK AT FACEBOOK.COM/UTEPMSSC Visit us and pick up scantrons and blue books for your final exams!