The Worcester State University Department of Military Affairs and Veteran Services has been busy over the past year, highlighted by several key accomplishments and events that have expanded support and recognition for military-connected students.
The department’s director, Dr. Stephanie Teixeira, was recently awarded an Outstanding Leadership Award at the Education 2.0 Conference, an international gathering of education innovators held last March in Las Vegas. The award recognizes her “proven track record of supporting Veterans and military connected students in higher education” and her work establishing strategic objectives to serve this student population.
Teixeira began her educational journey as an adult student at Quinsigamond Community College while working in the Veteran center on campus, which ignited her passion for public education and the success of student Veterans.
She obtained a master’s degree in higher education administration with a focus on the student Veteran experience Bay Path University and a doctorate in law and policy Northeastern University concentrating on the federal laws that govern earned military education benefits.
She has previously served as a segmental advisor to the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education, a member of the state Community College Board of Trustees and was the Massachusetts Student Advisory Committee chair and the organizing director of public schools for Every Voice Massachusetts, an organization that addresses campus sexual violence through legislative reforms.
She served on the board of trustees of Grafton Public Library and as the regional board co-chair for the Commission of the Status of Women for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
“Dr. Teixeira’s efforts over the past year have focused on improving the infrastructure and support systems for military-connected students in central Massachusetts, and have gained her statewide partnerships and national recognition,” the award citation states.
In addition to Teixeira’s individual honor, the department itself has gained several important designations, including being named a “Military Friendly” school for the 2024-2025 academic year, earning both a “Military Friendly Silver” designation and a “Military Friendly – Spouses” designation. Worcester State is one of 537 institutions to receive a gold, silver, or bronze designation out of the more than 1,800 that participated in the 2024-25 Military Friendly® survey.
“These accolades showcase Worcester State’s commitment to providing a supportive environment and resources for military service members, veterans, and their families,” Teixeira said.
The department also organized and participated in a variety of on-campus and community events over the past year. This included sponsoring a Worcester Railers military appreciation night, hosting a graduation dinner to celebrate veteran graduates, and participating in the Worcester Veterans Day parade for the first time.
For the first time in many years, the Worcester State Military Affairs and Veteran Services Department held a military commissioning on campus. The honoree was Lieutenant John Regan, who was a summer graduate and was immediately leaving for active-duty service, so he could not participate in the normal graduation or commencement celebrations. Lt. Regan’s family, ROTC members from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and President Berry M. Maloney were among attendees to share their pride in his accomplishments and wish him well on his next journey.
Additionally, the department collaborated with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Veterans’ Services to host a statewide Veterans Education Conference on the Worcester State campus last January.
Other notable initiatives included the launch of a “RED Fridays” (Remember Everyone Deployed) campaign to increase awareness and support for deployed service members, and the hosting of the department’s first-ever dodgeball tournament, which engaged both veteran and civilian students.
“Through these and other efforts, the Worcester State Military Affairs and Veteran Services Department continues to demonstrate its dedication to serving those who have served as we aim to solidify the university’s position as a leader in supporting the military-connected students,” Teixeira said.
Beyond the Classroom
Scholarship Brunch brings nearly 300 donors and students together
Nearly 300 donors and students gathered for conversation and food on Sunday, November 3, for the university’s annual Scholarship Brunch. The brunch gives scholarship donors and recipients a chance . . .