PRESS RELEASE – Elizabeth Jones recently became the first student veteran at the University of West Florida to receive a scholarship through the Student Veterans of America. Jones was selected for the Rockwell Collins-Student Veterans of America Wounded Veteran Scholarship, totaling $5,000.

The scholarship is awarded to five wounded student veterans each year to support them as they pursue a degree in higher education.

“I was so excited when I heard I had been chosen to receive this scholarship,” said Jones, a senior electrical engineering major. “It is going to make it a lot easier and less stressful financially on my family as I continue my education at UWF.”

Jones served 23 months in the Marine Corps before being medically discharged under honorable conditions at the rank of corporal. She said she hopes to use her engineering degree to make it easier for residential and commercial buildings to utilize efficient power and energy renewable resources.

Jones said her experience at UWF has inspired her to broaden her future career goals.

“Higher education has changed how I look at what I’m capable of and the opportunities I could pursue,” Jones said. “The faculty has impacted what I want to do with my career, and with their support, as well as my involvement with the math association on campus, I have been encouraged to pursue not only my engineering degree, but also my professional engineer’s license.”

Jones credits the UWF Military and Veterans Resource Center, as well as the Student Disability Resource Center, for assisting her throughout her college career.

“The MVRC has been instrumental in helping me transition to a four-year university, from registration to applying for Veteran Affairs benefits,” she said. “They were more than willing to stay open late just to help me determine my senior status as I was applying for this scholarship. The Student Disability Resource Center also encouraged me to apply for scholarships, and without their support and motivation, I wouldn’t have pursued this opportunity. They are excellent at letting disabled students know they can succeed.”

UWF has an extensive history of supporting veterans as they pursue higher education, showcased by its recognition as a top military-friendly school by both Military Advanced Education magazine and G.I. Jobs magazine consecutively since 2008. The MVRC at UWF serves as a resource center to assist military and veteran students as they transition from the military environment to campus life. Tutoring, advising and counseling are some of the services that are provided through the center.

For additional information about UWF’s support for military and veteran students, visit the MVRC website, uwf.edu/militaryveterans.

The mission of the Student Disability Resource Center is to deliver innovative and high quality service through collaborative networks that ensure educational access and support for students with disabilities. They aim to empower students with disabilities in their pursuit of educational and career opportunities by assisting in the creation of an inclusive and supportive campus environment that facilitates graduation and participation in the global community. For additional information, visit uwf.edu/offices/student-disability-resource-center.

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