John Armstrong has worked at UConn since 2001 where he has held leadership roles in Residential Life, Facilities Operations and Community Standards. He is currently the Director of Off-Campus and Commuter Student Services.  Through this role he serves as UConn’s liaison to the Faith Communities, Town Officials and State Police. Armstrong is a member of the Veteran’s Advisory Council and has been a long standing instructor for the First Year Experience class (FYE). John Armstrong joined the U.S. Army in 1986 and completed his Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.  Following his training, he was assigned to the 28^th Transportation Battalion, 69^th Transportation Company in Bremerhaven, Germany as a member of the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps.  During this time, he participated in multiple NATO led Reforger (Return of Forces to Germany) Campaigns across Germany during the Cold War; the 1988 Reforger “Certain Challenge” proving to be one of the largest European ground maneuvers since World War II.  Armstrong was fortunate to have served in Germany and witness a historical turning point of the Cold War, the fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989 which marked the end of communism is Eastern Europe and the Cold War. Armstrong left the military in February 1990, returned to his home state of Maine and started his career as a student at the University of Maine that fall.  In January 1991, the United States entered Operation Desert Storm and Armstrong was ordered back to active duty via a Presidential Executive Order through the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR).  Armstrong left UMAINE and reported to Fort Jackson, South Carolina for training and to await deployment to the Middle East. Operation Desert Storm concluded at the end of February 1991 and Armstrong returned to civilian life and completed his undergraduate degree at UMAINE and a Master’s degree in education at Springfield College.

Samantha Bolduc serves with the Air Force Reserves and has been assigned to Westover Air Reserve Base for 8 years. She is the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) of the Medical Readiness department at the Aeromedical Staging Squadron (ASTS). At her unit, she facilitates unit-wide total force trainings, manages scheduling for aeromedical evacuation courses, and inspects wing-level exercises for unit performance and compliance. Samantha also serves her unit as a strategic planner for quality improvements and as a mentor for junior enlisted personnel. While serving, Samantha expanded her administrative expertise by earning a B.S. in Healthcare Administration from Charter Oak State College. She currently works in the medical records department at Student Health and Wellness (SHaW) while actively pursuing her master’s degree in Health Information Management and Technology with the University of Maryland Global Campus.

Steven Fletcher served in the Air Force as an explosive detector dog handler from 1994 to 1998 in Korea, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Bosnia.  He continued to serve in the Air Force Reserves in Security Forces/Combat Arms from 1998 to 2002 when he separated from military service due to a service-connected medical injury.  Upon leaving the military, Steven earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Information Systems and then a Master’s degree in Educational Technology.  He’s been working the past 20 years in information technology, audio video, and Learning Space design.

Eric Kruger is the Executive Director of UConn Facilities Operations and has been at UConn since June 2014.  Eric specifically oversees the skilled trade shops at the Storrs Campus, all of the Facilities Operations at the Regional Campuses, and Facilities Operational Engineering for all campuses.  Prior to working at UConn Eric spent seven years with Eversource as a Manager in Operations and Engineering.  Eric is a retired Senior Chief Petty Officer – EMCS(SS) from the United States Naval Submarine Force and holds a BSAST in Nuclear Engineering Technology from Thomas Edison State College, an MA in History from Southern New Hampshire University, and an MBA from UConn.

Joseph Tinnel is an Academic Advisor serving students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the Storrs Campus. Joe served in the Connecticut Army National Guard for 6 years, was a Peace Corps volunteer in the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2 years, and has been a member of the UConn community since 2006.

Ed served in the CT Army National Guard from 2000 to 2009. In January 2003, Ed joined the 143rd MP Company, and deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom to Kuwait and Baghdad, Iraq. After one year they returned home to CT as the most highly decorated National Guard Unit in US history. Upon Ed’s return, he transferred to the 102d Army Band as a drummer, guitar player, MC, and sound engineer. Ed also volunteered to rejoin the 143rd MP Company on their humanitarian relief mission to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. His awards include the Humanitarian Service Medal, Combat Action Badge, and Army Commendation Medal for valor. Ed describes his transition from the military as “far from seamless.” At 21, after returning from overseas, Ed bought a house and started college at UConn. During his first semester he suffered from PTSD and really struggled academically. However, once he transferred to the Department of Dramatic Arts, he found his career path and a job he loved, which really helped with the transition.  The leadership training and experience Ed gained from the military uniquely prepared him for his career as Technical Director since he has to manage people and lead a team to build the sets for shows.  He currently serves as the Head of the Dramatic Arts Department at UConn.