Building Belonging: How the Student Veterans Association Is Creating Community at the University of Louisville

The Student Veterans Association at UofL is more than a student organization,  it’s a community built on connection, support, and shared purpose.

For many military-connected students, transitioning to campus life can feel isolating. The Student Veterans Association (SVA) exists to make sure no one makes that transition alone. Through peer support, mentorship, and service, members are building a space where veterans and military-connected students feel seen, welcomed, and understood.

Corey Hunter, president of the organization, says the sense of belonging is what makes the group special.

“It’s family. It’s belonging and connection, something a lot of us struggle with on campus, especially because many of us are older than the average student.”

Hunter explains that SVA isn’t just about meetings or events. It’s about building lasting relationships and creating a support network that extends beyond the classroom. Members help one another through academic stress, career planning, and personal challenges, offering a reminder that no one has to carry everything alone.

Catherine Roth, a member of the organization, describes the impact in simple terms:

“For me personally, it was finding a new family. Having that support system makes everything easier. You’re never really alone with SVA.”

That sense of community is intentional. The organization’s mission centers on empowering student veterans and military-connected students through advocacy, leadership, service, and connection. Members actively give back through volunteer efforts and philanthropy, strengthening ties not only within their group but across the broader Louisville community.

The Student Veterans Association is supported by the Center for Military Connected Students, which provides academic, career, and social resources tailored to military-connected students. The Center serves as a hub where students can access advising, benefits support, and community programming designed to ease the transition into university life.

The Center for Military-Connected Students (CMFCS) also provides the staff and faculty advisor for the SVA chapter and helps connect the organization to other parts of the institution as needed. The Center links SVA members to campus and community resources, advocates for policies and procedures that support military-connected students, and assists with undergraduate admissions processes for currently serving members and veterans. It also advises students on Department of Veterans Affairs education benefits and offers a range of engaging and meaningful programming that strengthens both academic and social success.

Kyle Hurwitz, Director of the Center for Military Connected Students, sees the organization as a powerful example of student leadership in action:

“All of our members are success stories. They identified a need and stepped in to fill it while balancing school, life, ROTC, and other responsibilities. They’ve invested time and energy into building an organization that benefits many people now and will continue to help future students. Reactivating the chapter and generating interest has created strong examples for other military and veteran students.”

Beyond serving veterans, members emphasize that SVA is a place of openness and learning. The organization welcomes collaboration across campus and encourages dialogue between students from all backgrounds. Their work demonstrates how shared experience can become a foundation for broader connection.

As Hunter puts it:

“We’re people trying to come together, build family, and give back as much as we can.”

Students interested in getting involved or learning more about the Student Veterans Association can connect through the Center for Military Connected Students. Information about membership, events, and resources is available through the university’s military-connected student support office.

For veterans and military-connected students arriving on campus, SVA offers something invaluable: a place to land, a group that understands, and a community ready to grow with them.