Student Veterans of America

Hi, my name is Celimar, and I’m a veteran too. I served as an Aids to Navigation Technician in the US Coast Guard. I was stationed on the coastal buoy tender Katherine Walker, in Bayonne, NJ. I currently serve as the Public Affairs Officer for the Student Veterans of America at FGCU. In this role, I focus on communications through social media and other outlets. Through the SVA, I have participated and planned fun social outings, networking events, community service, and more. It was also through the SVA that I connected to the Office of Military and Veteran Success at FGCU. Now I’m completing an internship at this office. The main focus of my internship is coordinating events for FGCU student veterans, digital marketing, and other student veteran awareness initiatives. As a student at FGCU, I'm studying International Business with the hopes of getting hired locally when I graduate.  

My name is Nicholas Haug, Nick for short. I served in the United States Navy for 4 years as a Damage Controlman (2014-2018). I am currently studying Software Engineering and serving as the Treasurer of Student Veterans of America at FGCU.

I joined the navy right out of high school. I wanted to get out of my hometown even though I didn’t want to go to college. I didn’t know what I wanted to do, except travel the world and not get in any more trouble. So, I joined the navy a as a damage controlman which is basically a fire fighter. I did two deployments in my 4 years and got to see countries people dream of going to, I was very fortunate for that.

I plan to use my role in SVA to help veterans transition from the military lifestyle. As someone who struggled with that transition from military to civilian lifestyle, I want to be able to help that not feel alone, to be themselves. I knew nothing about applying to schools and scholarships when I got out, so I want to be able to help with that as well.

I am studying Software Engineering because I want to be able to create something from nothing in a sense. I’ve always had a creative mind, just never knew how to put it to use. Coding gives me that ability to do just that. My 5-year plan is to create an app that helps people in one way or another.

I'm Payton DeMay, a current undergrad and Navy veteran studying Criminal Justice and Environmental Studies. I'm serving as the FGCU Student Veterans of America Outreach Coordinator, and am also involved with Outreach and Sustainable Practices for the Military and Veteran Student Success Department.  I served from 2014 to 2021, for the first 3 years as an IT and then as a Corpsman for the remaining. I had the opportunity while in to manage and supervise various projects, personnel, and units, obtain both associates in Criminal Justice and Health Sciences, as well as attend many schools such as Field Medical Training Battalion, Aircrew, and Flight Medical Training. My future aspirations include searching for an occupation in wildlife law enforcement, environmental protection, or anything that makes a difference in the betterment of the natural world. I'd ultimately like to find myself on a sustainable ranch homestead in the Northwest before too long, but will always take special care to give a helping hand, instill sustainable habits in those around around me, and to always Leave No Trace.

Troy is a Navy veteran and first-generation college student who graduated with honors from  Florida Gulf Coast University where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Interdisciplinary Entrepreneurial Studies. While pursuing his degree, Troy volunteered for the Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program at the Daveler & Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship, and was hired full time to manage and grow the program after graduation. Troy’s entrepreneurial research has been published in an entrepreneurship educational workbook, he has published multiple entrepreneurial research papers, and he has been invited to speak at different expos and conferences. While at the School of Entrepreneurship Troy worked with over 100 veterans and over 70 launched their businesses. He is now the Director of Veteran Success at FGCU where he is developing new programs, processes and initiatives to help veterans obtain a meaningful and successful college experience. Troy considers himself an intrapreneur and an advocate for veterans.  Troy is currently a member of the Staff Advisory Council, Horizon Council - Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and the SWFL Inc, Veteran Business Council Advisory Board, and the Staff Advisor for the FGCU, Student Veterans of America Chapter.