A look at the military-connected community at the University of Illinois and the Chez Veteran Center’s impact during the Fall 2025 semester. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is home to a vibrant and diverse military-connected community. From student veterans pursing graduate degrees to military-connected dependents beginning their college journey, each student brings unique experiences and […]
Finals Week can be a stressful time for students, but thanks to the generosity and heart of longtime supporter Naomi Winslow, the Chez Veterans Center was filled with warmth, comfort, and the sweet smell of homemade cookies. Naomi Winslow spent time baking Finals Week goodies in the Chez Veterans Center kitchen—bringing a much-needed dose of […]
For many students, the holidays are a time to gather with family and share traditions. But for some, especially military-connected students, returning home for Thanksgiving isn’t always possible. This year, the Chez Veterans Center hosted a Thanksgiving dinner with one simple but powerful goal: to make sure no one had to spend the holiday alone. […]
The Chez Veterans Center proudly hosted its annual Veterans Day Celebration, honoring the courage, resilience, and sacrifice of those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. This year’s program brought together students, staff, and community members to reflect on the continued impact of military-connected individuals within the University of Illinois and beyond. The […]
Senior Interdisciplinary Health Sciences major Joan Biyok, an Air Force ROTC cadet and current intern at the Chez Veterans Center, recently organized and facilitated the Nutrition Workshop in partnership with McKinley Health Center. As part of her internship, Joan played a key role in coordinating this evidence-based program, helping bring meaningful wellness education to military-connected […]
“When I first returned to campus in August to complete my Master of Music degree, I was commuting weekly from Chicago—riding Amtrak and FlixBus, staying in hotels, and trying to balance travel with graduate coursework,” he shared. “It was exhausting, and it quickly became clear that something needed to change.” That change came when he […]
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 […]
At the Chez Veterans Center, our Student-Led Workshop Series gives students the opportunity to lead meaningful conversations that foster connection, learning, and growth. Recently, junior Communication major Natalie Koldenhoven led an engaging session titled Career Fair and Interview. The workshop invited students to explore the evolving world of career fairs, first impressions, and networking, sparking […]
Our Student-Led Workshop Series continues to shine a light on the powerful conversations happening within the Chez Veterans Center community. Recently, Grace Best, a sophomore Social Work student led an engaging session called Stress, Burnout, and the Transition Brain. This workshop explored how stress impacts both Veterans and students, and how small changes in perspective—and […]
As part of our Student-Led Workshop Series, we love highlighting the voices and experiences of those who lead discussions in our community. Recently, one of our student leaders, Zach Winthers, a junior majoring in Integrative Biology—led a workshop titled Preventing Burnout and End-of-Year Transition Planning. Here’s a look at their reflections and what they learned […]