ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A University of Central Florida student is marking a first for women veterans on campus with the official registration of the Women Veterans Association as a student organization.
Founded by senior business management major Alexandria Marcellus, the WVA is dedicated to empowering female veterans and fostering a supportive network on campus.
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Marcellus expressed her excitement about becoming a registered student organization.
“Becoming an RSO means that UCF recognizes our organization as a need just as much as we did and what we’re all about,” she said.
Marcellus said the benefits of RSO status include access to funding, event spaces and marketing assistance.
While UCF has the Military and Veteran Student Success Center, the WVA provides a new unique space for women who have served to network, grow and thrive in a community that understands their specific experiences.
Jessica Carr, a former U.S. Navy gas turbine engine technician (electrical), recently joined the WVA at UCF, contributing her diverse experiences and perspectives to the organization.
“Outside of making friends, I want to know who I am outside of the uniform. Until about a year ago, all I’ve known was the military. With so many supportive women around me, I am able to start a journey of rediscovering me and all that I can be as well,” Carr said, reflecting on her transition to student life,
Marcellus expressed the necessity for a women-focused organization, citing the prevalent desire among women veterans to connect with peers after military service who understand their experiences in a predominantly male-dominated field.
According to data from the U.S. Department of Defense, women comprised only 17.3% of military personnel in 2021.
The WVA recently held a “Salute to Women Veterans” event at UCF last Thursday, marking a significant milestone for the organization.
The event served as both the WVA’s official kickoff as an RSO and a welcoming event for the entire UCF community and local women veterans. Held at the UCF Student Union, the event featured a panel discussion on women empowerment and challenges faced by women veterans, including PTSD, mental health issues, imposter syndrome and navigating continuing education.
The event, co-organized with the UCF Military and Veteran Student Success Center, signified a collaborative effort to support veterans on campus.
Mike Kepner, director of the Military and Veteran Student Success Center, expressed his admiration and confidence in Marcellus and her team, emphasizing their dedication to supporting military students at UCF.
“She was my first pick to lead the WVA because I know she has the skills and desire to make an impact for the women veterans on our campus. From working with military students on their academic journey to standing up for the WVA, she is focused on helping every military student unleash their potential,” Kepner said.
Moving forward, the WVA plans to focus on promoting mental well-being among its members and collaborating with organizations to address common challenges faced by women veterans, such as depression, anxiety, imposter syndrome and military sexual trauma.
“I am immensely grateful for the dedication and hard work of the WVA leadership team, Brianna Torres, Lydia Pandorf, Norma Flores and Sage Muentes. Without their commitment and passion to serve our women veterans here on campus, the WVA wouldn’t be possible. Each of them fulfills a vital role in our organization’s success, and I am honored to have them as part of our team,” Marcellus said.
For students looking to join or women veterans seeking to connect for events, they can reach out via email at womenvet.wva@outlook.com