First director of Office of Military and Veterans Services begins duties

Jeremy McBroom began his duties as the first director of the Office of Military and Veterans Services at Southeast Missouri State University on Oct. 22.

The creation of the Office of Military and Veterans Services was discussed a little over a year ago, and a search for director of the newly created office was advertised late this summer, associate vice president for Enrollment Management and director of Admissions Debbie Below said.

The increasing number of troops being withdrawn from Iraq and Afghanistan is causing the number of veterans enrolling in college campuses to increase, Below said, which is one of many reasons the position was created.

"The Office of Military and Veterans Services will provide a much-needed resource for our students," Below said. "In its first days of operation, Mr. McBroom has welcomed several students and connected students with a variety of campus resources. Mr. McBroom's record of military experience and his genuine care and compassion for veterans will be a tremendous asset to this new office."

McBroom's wife is a new faculty member at Southeast, and he heard about the position while on campus with her for faculty training. McBroom mentioned his past military experience, and a couple people spoke up about the opportunity.

Jeremy McBroom. Photo by Nathan Hamilton

"It was one of those moments, you know, right place, right time," McBroom said. "I don't know, but it worked out."

McBroom graduated from the University of Memphis with a bachelor's degree in professional studies. He is a veteran and member of the U.S. Army Reserve who committed 15 years to military service.

McBroom was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, for seven years. As company commander he was responsible for leading 125 soldiers and earned the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service. While at Fort Hood, he also served as a battalion intelligence/electronic warfare officer and company executive officer and participated in planning more than 1,800 logistics convoys in Iraq.

McBroom recently completed two years as a battalion communications officer, earning two Meritorious Service Medals with the U.S. Army at Fort Hood and in Kuwait.

According to McBroom, his combat experience and the ability to relate to military personnel will help him assist veterans and military personnel in whatever they need.

McBroom believes the military and veteran population tends to be underrepresented on college campuses. A majority of military members and veterans are nontraditional students, some with families, who prefer online or blended courses, he said.

"But what happens is, when students in the military come back from war, in some circumstances, they look for structure," McBroom said. "They need somebody to help them translate their experience in the military to the civilian world. Someone to take them from point A to point B."

McBroom said those veterans who choose to attend Southeast after serving in the military are more accustomed to how the military operates, compared to how the university handles processing.

As the director of the Office of Military and Veterans Services, McBroom will be able to step in and help Southeast military students and veterans navigate their way through all application processes for financial aid, veterans' benefits and the transferability of coursework.

McBroom's office is located on the fourth floor of the UC in the Dean of Students' office suite Room 422. He can also be reached at veterans@semo.edu or at 651-2263.