Article Written By: Natalie Koldenhoven
The Division of Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES) is a nationally and internationally recognized research and service unit at UIUC’s College of Applied Health Sciences. DRES began in 1948 providing accessibility, inclusion and educational services to WWII Veterans who had been injured in the war. The research and services of DRES enabled injured Veterans to utilize their GI Bill benefits and attend college. Since then, DRES has become the role model for colleges everywhere, creating programs that change the lives of students with disabilities.
As Dean of the College of Applied Health Sciences at the time, Dr. Tanya Gallagher played an instrumental role in extending this historic mission to meet the needs of a new generation of Veterans. Her leadership led to the establishment of the Chez Veterans Center, a facility that began by providing comprehensive services to student Veterans returning from service in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“DRES has always represented the University’s deep commitment to accessibility and inclusion of students with disabilities,” Gallagher explained. “When I became dean, I wanted to ensure that we continued that tradition of leadership by preparing to meet the needs of veterans from more recent conflicts and extended tours of duty. Their challenges – both physical and psychological- needed a renewed effort.”
Gallagher early on was made aware of the physical and mental challenges experienced by service members coming back to civilian life and jobs due to her professional career and longstanding relationships at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
“As the college responsible for providing accessibility services for Veterans attending the University of Illinois, it was essential that we were equipped to meet their needs,” she said. “Veterans such as Garret Anderson, who had already enrolled on our campus, were instrumental in helping us understand what that support should look like. They emphasized the importance of a dedicated facility—one that would allow Veterans to meet, to access rehabilitation services, and, for some, to live in state-of-the-art, disability-accommodated dormitory rooms.”
Once she understood what was needed, building the Center became her goal. Realizing her vision, however, was not without obstacles. “The greatest challenges were financial,” Gallagher recalled. “We lacked the necessary funding, and some even questioned whether a new facility was truly needed.”
The project was able to move forward after Ron Chez, a university alum, visited the campus. He asked to see the programs for students with disabilities. Gallagher guided him through DRES, sharing his distinguished history and her aspiration to develop a center for recent returning veterans. After she described the need for the center, Mr. Chez pledged to help by providing a major financial gift. Gallagher said, “His gift enabled us to begin planning in earnest and to raise the remaining funds that were needed. The center bears his name.”
Before its official opening ceremony – an event attended by the Governor of Illinois and senior university officials – Gallagher invited the donors whose contributions had made the facility possible for a private tour. During that gathering,
She thanked them and shared a reflection on perseverance and belief. “I reminded them that when all of us pursue something difficult to achieve, we sometimes lose confidence in our ability to be successful. She said:” At those moments of doubt, the belief and encouragement of others make all the difference. Your names inscribed throughout the building are permanent reminders of the faith you have in the success of the veterans who will come here that is so strong that you invested in it. There could not be a more powerful statement of what this center represents.”
Since its opening, the Chez Veterans Center has spent the past decade supporting student Veterans pursuing higher education. The facility provides not only housing and accessibility services but also fosters a sense of community and belonging among its residents and program participants. It stands as a tangible embodiment of the University’s enduring commitment to inclusivity, innovation, and service.
For Gallagher, the center’s success highlights how important ongoing research and evidence-based practice are in helping Veterans reintegrate into civilian life. She explained that while a lot has already been accomplished, there is still so much more to learn. “We must continue exploring the best ways to support Veterans and their families as they transition back to civilian life, especially when it comes to the physical and mental health challenges that come with that process,” she said.
Gallagher also pointed out that reintegration doesn’t just impact the Veterans —it affects their loved ones, too. “The reintegration process affects families as well,” she said. “We need to better understand how to support the families of Veterans returning with disabilities and those who have been separated for long periods because of military service.”
Looking ahead, Gallagher remains optimistic about the future and the center’s role in continuing the University of Illinois’ strong history of leadership in accessibility and rehabilitation. “I hope the Chez Veterans Center will continue the university’s tradition of innovation and excellence,” she shared. “Our goal is to help Veterans facing challenges reach their full potential—for their own growth and for the good of society.”
Through her leadership and vision, Tanya Gallagher has strengthened a legacy that started more than seventy-five years ago. Today, the Chez Veterans Center stands as more than just a resource—it’s a symbol of what can happen when a university community comes together with a shared mission of inclusion, research, and service.
As Gallagher often says, real success isn’t just about the buildings we create, or the programs we offer. It’s about the lives that are changed through belief, opportunity, and access.
