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Learn today. Lead tomorrow.

It’s a shared mindset amongst many military students at Bloomsburg University. Also, the theme of the largest annual gathering of student veterans in history — an event in fact several members of BU’s Student Veterans Association (BUSVA) played a part in this winter.

“This was a great opportunity, because gave military students (especially vets) a voice in how their university supports, or in some cases, need to support their military students to help them excel,” said Jenna Lutz, an AFROTC cadet majoring in languages and cultures with a Russian and European Studies emphasis. “(We) make up a significant portion of people seeking a higher education, and going to a conference like this can help open your mind up to new ideas or show you something that needs changed.”

Lutz, vice president of BUSVA, was one of more than 2,500 military students and student veterans attending the National Conference for Student Veterans of America (NatCon), held this year in Los Angeles. She was joined by fellow BUSVA members Savhanna Paul. Ezekiel Saleh, Komeh Lansanah, John Rearick, Alec Leese, and Tim Blaine.

“NatCon provides a community of individuals who have either served themselves, understand the military lifestyle, or greatly support the military in their efforts,” said Paul, president of BUSVA who is majoring in speech-language pathology. “That type of community is not always found. Yes, BUSVA has provided me that community on campus and has tremendously helped with my transition to civilian education, but to be able to gather with thousands of others in a larger community provides the ability to network and communicate with others from different areas across the nation.”

Alec Leese, a BUSVA member who is majoring in business administration finance, agreed.

“I believe this is a great opportunity for students here at Bloomsburg, because it provides military students the opportunity to be with others that share similar interests and experiences,” Leese said. “It allows both young and older veterans the opportunity to network and begin a friend group. Having this coming into college makes the transition easier.”

Lutz said she enjoyed learning veteran’s perspectives and seeing what they need on their campuses, why they need those particular things and discovering resources to help them excel.

“Because I’m in ROTC and in a leadership role in an organization centered around veterans, I need to seek out ways to help those who have more military experience than myself,” Lutz said. “And learn what they go through, to not only to help make BUSVA as beneficial for them as possible, but also take that into my hopeful future career as an officer.”

Right after college, Lutz plans on going active duty in the Air Force.

“There is still so much I need to learn about leadership, so talking to people who’ve served or are currently serving helps me get as much perspective as I can,” Lutz said. “Seeing what people want and need in a leader is important for me to think about when I’ll be in that position. This has also helped me think about jobs and internships I’d be interested in after my military service.”

Leese saw the lasting impact as well.

“This event was a huge social networking opportunity,” Leese said. “While there was plenty of time to learn and ask questions at the sessions, it was a great opportunity to set up internships and other opportunities to find jobs. There were people from all over the country looking for veterans who are well suited to earn a job. It was a unique event geared to helping veterans succeed and grow in their desired dreams and careers.”

For Paul, who has attended NatCon before, this year was about transition.

“I learned methods of preparing myself for graduate school transition, as well as preparation for a civilian career,” Paul said. “Not many realize the transition needed to adapt to the differences in the military versus civilian careers. Even wording your military experience in a way that civilian employers understand on a resume can be difficult.”

Paul says she’ll be forever indebted to NatCon and its lasting impact on her.

“I’ve gained a plethora of connections with individuals across the nation who can assist me with varying aspects of the transition that lay ahead,” Paul said. “NatCon has not only helped to improve BUSVA for the military community here on campus but has also provided opportunities for me to develop professionally and prepare for the future that lays ahead.”