Robert Mitchell Bookland, a 2022 graduate of the University of Illinois, found a vital support system at the Chez Veterans Center during his transition from military to student life. After serving in the U.S. Air Force from 2014 to 2018, Robert faced the challenge of adapting to college while recovering from a recreational skydiving accident. “I was unsure about my decision to go directly to college after separation,” he recalls. “The Chez Center gave me the support and community I needed during that time and throughout college.” Surrounded by fellow Veterans, Robert discovered a network of peers who understood his journey, making his time at Illinois not just about academics but about connection and growth.