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UConn’s Student Veteran of the Month – Zhiling Lin

Zhiling Lin

The Office of Veterans & Military Programs (VAMP) at UConn is pleased to recognize Zhiling Lin as UConn’s Student Veteran of the Month.  Zhiling Lin is a cadet in the Air Force ROTC Program at UConn. Within Air Force ROTC, Zhiling is active in UConn’s Arnold Air Society, ensuring proper protocol is followed for our regional conclave where hundreds of cadets from across New England gather to select the next regional headquarters. Last year, Zhiling oversaw an event that brought together over 100 students and cadets from four states. She currently serves as the Color Guard Officer for the Cloutier Rifles Precision Drill Team, training cadets in color guard procedures and leading performances at UConn sporting events. She shares that she has personally participated in more than 15 color guard events, representing both UConn and the Air Force with pride. Beyond campus, Zhiling has helped regenerate the Flying Yankee Chapter of the Air & Space Forces Association and currently serves as its Executive Vice President, working with regional and national leaders to strengthen the military–civilian bond through service projects. Recently, Zhiling led the UConn’s POW/MIA Remembrance Event, a 24-hour service run where participants carried the POW/MIA flag to honor those who never returned home. The event brought together 138 participants, including six marathon runners, and showcased the incredible energy and dedication of the UConn community.

Currently a junior, majoring in Mathematics – Actuarial Science, Zhiling’s primary goal is to graduate from UConn and commission as a U.S. Air Force officer, with the dream of becoming either a C-17 cargo pilot (11MX) or an Intelligence Officer (14N). Academically, Zhiling aims to deepen her knowledge, form close relationships with others, and, above all, fly. To support this dream, she has been awarded two Air Force ROTC scholarships for flight training, which have allowed her to log 21 flight hours toward earning her private pilot license. Zhiling plans to commission as Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force in Spring 2027.

Zhiling values UConn’s welcoming environment, which fosters a strong sense of community and support as she pursues both academic and military goals. Advice Zhiling shares with fellow students is that “cognitive growth is not about sudden inspiration, it comes from consistent, deliberate practice. First, seek out high-quality information and challenge yourself to break free from information bubbles so you can reflect deeply. Second, force yourself to share what you learn through conversation or writing, because explaining ideas exposes gaps in understanding and sharpens thinking. Finally, create personal rituals for reflection, such as setting monthly topics for self-evaluation, to build steady progress over time. The goal of cognitive improvement is not to be superior to others, but to take fewer detours, avoid manipulation, and live with purpose. With steady input, thoughtful output, and intentional habits, you can achieve success in any career path.”

If you would like to nominate a student, faculty, or staff member for “Veteran of the Month,” please contact Nikki Eberly at with the name of the person and reasons for your nomination.

October 2025

VA Visits

VA Healthcare Visit

October 7th

10:30a.m. to 1:30p.m.

Hawley Armory Rm. 105 (Storrs)

Do you have VA healthcare or benefits questions? Meet with VA staff to ask about healthcare enrollment, services and resources available, claim questions, file a claim, and more. No appointment needed.

VR & E Visit

Thursday, October 16th 9am – 3pm

Hawley Armory Rm. 105 (Storrs)

Stop by and learn about the Chapter 31 benefits, whether you’re interested in learning about it or want to check in with a counselor.

Jared Buchanan at sitting with an energy drink in one hand, at the end of an ultra-thon wearing image of his father on his t-shirt.

Beautifully Broken Film Screening

Monday, October 6th at 6p.m. in the Student Union Theater

UConn’s Office of Veterans & Military Programs and SHAW is hosting a FREE film screening on-campus of Beautifully Broken. Please stay at the end of the film for a Q & A with film-maker Daniel Herzog, and the main character of the film, Jared Buchanan.

Interested? Please RSVP HERE!

Dean of Students
Drop-In Hours

First Wednesday of Each Month

1-3 p.m.

Hawley Armory, Room 105

During the Fall 2025 semester, the Dean of Students Office will hold drop-in hours in Hawley Armory (Storrs), so students can drop in without an appointment to ask any questions they may have.

Dates include:
October 1st
November 5th
December 3rd

Halloween Party

FOOD, FAMILY FRIENDLY ACTIVITES, COSTUME CONTESTS, KARAOKE, AND MORE! EVENT IS BYOB

When: October 18th at 5pm

Where: Start – Hawley Armory (Storrs)


Meet Our Veteran of the Month

Student Veteran of the Month

Zhiling Lin in the cockpit of a plane with a helmet and harness on.

August/September 2025

Dean of Students
Drop-In Hours

First Wednesday of Each Month

1-3 p.m.

Hawley Armory, Room 105

During the Fall 2025 semester, the Dean of Students Office will hold drop-in hours in Hawley Armory (Storrs), so students can drop in without an appointment to ask any questions they may have.

Dates include:
September 3
October 1st
November 5th
December 3rd

POW MIA image on dark background with You are not forgotten written underneath

POW/MIA Service Run

24-HOUR RUN/WALK CARRYING POW/MIA FLAG

When: Sept. 19th to Sept. 20th

Time: 12 p.m. to 12 p.m. the following day

Where: Start – Hawley Armory (Storrs)

U.S. Flag raised on top of Hawley Armory, the location of UConn's Office of Veterans & Military Programs.

VA Visit

October 7th

10:30a.m. to 1:30p.m.

Hawley Armory Rm. 105 (Storrs)

Do you have VA healthcare or benefits questions? Meet with VA staff to ask about healthcare enrollment, services and resources available, claim questions, file a claim, and more. No appointment needed.

Jared Buchanan at sitting with an energy drink in one hand, at the end of an ultra-thon wearing image of his father on his t-shirt.

Save the Date! Film Screening

Monday, October 6th at 6p.m.

UConn’s Office of Veterans & Military Programs and SHAW is hosting a FREE film screening on-campus of Beautifully Broken.

Please stay tuned for more details and to RSVP.


Meet Our Veterans of the Month

Student Veteran of the Month

Olivia Giuffria standing next to her father in National Guard uniform in front of military aircraft in a hangar.

Employee Veteran of the Month

Roger Nadeau in his workspace at UConn, wearing a hat that says Veteran on it.

UConn’s Employee Veteran of the Month

Roger Nadeau

The Office of Veterans & Military Programs (VAMP) at UConn is pleased to recognize Roger Nadeau as UConn’s Employee Veteran of the Month.  Roger served as an Aviation Electronics Technician, 2nd Class (AT2) from 2001-2006.  During his time in the military, he got to work on some of the most notable military aircraft in the world, F-14 Tomcats with squadron VF-101 Grim Reaper’s, F/A-18 Super Hornets with squadron VFA-106 Gladiator’s, and SH-60B Seahawk Helicopters with squadron HSL-44 Swamp Fox.  He was honored as VF-101 Plane Captain of the year and got to fly a T-34 plane. 

Roger was hired at UConn as a Power Plant Operator, and soon after as an Electronics Technician at the Cogeneration Plant.  He says that he has been able to do what he loves for nearly 20 years:  working with electronics, troubleshooting, programming, calibrating.  Nearly 8 years ago, Roger and one of his co-workers started UConn’s Metering Department where they design and build electronics that help monitor energy usage and collect data UConn.  Roger also programs graphical interfaces to allow us to see the data and report it so that everyone can see how efficient the university is doing, helping to achieve the University’s goals.

Roger’s advice to his colleagues and students on-campus, and in recognition of the recent Mental Health awareness month, and his own struggles through life, he says “that one way or another, we are all here, together, striving to make the best of our futures;  we all experience highs and lows in life, and at times we may need a helping hand to get back up.  Mental health can be debilitating at times, and sometimes we need to talk to someone about our struggles.  The tools you’ll get to help yourself, can very well lead you to helping someone else in need.”   

If you would like to nominate a student, faculty, or staff member for “Veteran of the Month,” please contact Nikki Eberly at with the name of the person and reasons for your nomination.

UConn’s Student Veteran of the Month

Olivia Giuffria

The Office of Veterans & Military Programs (VAMP) at UConn is pleased to recognize Olivia Giuffria as UConn’s Student Veteran of the Month.  Olivia is a member of the Air National Guard in Health Management Administration (4A0X1) within the 103rd Medical Group. Her additional duties include CPR instructor and CUI manager in addition to being a functional training manager for her section where she oversees the education and training. She enlisted in January 2021 and was just promoted to Staff Sergeant. Olivia’s dad is an Air Force veteran, and her brother is also active-duty Air Force, so it’s a great experience bringing her family to promotions and other family-oriented events for the military.

One of her most memorable experiences was going to Okinawa, Japan for AT in September 2024 where she trained & shadowed at the naval hospital for 3 weeks, learning how the different services work together and see how a military hospital works. On the way to/from Japan they also stopped in Alaska and Seattle and had the opportunity to explore those places too.

Olivia came to UConn in January 2022 after coming home from initial bootcamp/tech school training. She started on the pre-med track as a Physiology & Neurobiology student, but last year she realized that she wanted to do nursing.  So, she applied to the Nursing program, got in, and is now a nursing student set to graduate in 2027! Her goal is to become an ICU nurse and commission as a nurse into the Air Force and join the Critical Care Air Transport Team (CCATT). She currently works as a patient care technician at Hartford Hospital in the Neuro-Trauma ICU to gain experience. Besides her academic goals, Olivia wants to get out of her comfort zone and build close relationships. Over the past few years, she shares that it’s been important to join different clubs and get involved, to meet new people and build friendships. One of Olivia’s favorite parts about being a UConn student is going to the sports games and working as an RA. She loves putting on events for her residents and making different goodies for them such as treats or goodie bags to help build community and foster friendships. She has also met amazing people within the different RA staffs which has been amazing.

One piece of advice Olivia would give to fellow students is “to not be afraid to change paths mid college and to reach out if you need help. College is not easy, but there are so many great resources available to us that can make our life a little easier! Choosing a career path can also be very intimidating and challenging, so don’t be afraid to switch majors or paths if you feel that is right for you. It is better to get a degree in something you know will be right for you, even if it takes a little bit more time.”

If you would like to nominate a student, faculty, or staff member for “Veteran of the Month,” please contact Nikki Eberly at with the name of the person and reasons for your nomination.