Penn State President Eric Barron created a similar position in his former role as president of Florida State University. Discussions with Penn State’s student veterans uncovered a need for a director for Veterans Affairs and Services here, too.
“We’re proud and pleased to welcome Col. McFeely to his new role at Penn State,” said Barron. “He brings to the position more than 27 years in the United States Air Force and more than 22 years of experience, in the military and at the University, assessing and mentoring cadets, junior officers and enlisted airmen.
“Penn State is already well recognized as a top destination for the nation’s veteran students; under Col. McFeely’s leadership we will ensure that we continue to deliver highly coordinated, integrated services to our veteran student population. It remains our goal to help them in the transition from the military to University life, and ultimately into rewarding and fulfilling careers.”
McFeely will be responsible for coordinating the various units that provide services and administer programs to veterans; advocating for and increasing the visibility of veteran student services and benefits through the implementation of innovative programs and new approaches; and developing events to recognize the service of veterans to the nation. He will collaborate with key university stakeholders to recommend policies and procedures as needed, and serve as liaison to develop and maintain relationships with key veterans’ organizations and engage with professional societies, as appropriate.
Veteran services at Penn State -- currently located in Educational Equity, World Campus, Student Affairs and elsewhere -- will remain in their current administrative homes, but work collaboratively with McFeely to coordinate efforts.
“Penn State has great meaning for me and my family in many different ways, not only because of our positive learning experiences,” said McFeely, who met his wife, Alexandra, when they were both students at the University. “I was excited about the opportunity to come back and be part of the ROTC program — I had a lot of good mentors, and I always wanted to end up back here, back in the program. I experienced firsthand how big of an impact the folks who are teaching the cadets have, and I wanted to make that impact. I’m very excited about this new opportunity to remain part of the Penn State team and to continue to serve our students.”
For the last two years, McFeely has served as Penn State professor of aerospace studies and commander of Detachment 720 in the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC), responsible for recruiting, educating, training and motivating officer candidates for the U.S. Air Force, and the largest of its kind in the Big Ten Conference. In addition to teaching ROTC sophomores and seniors, for two years he was the ROTC joint service coordinator, responsible for collaboration between the three Penn State ROTC units, the University, and outside organizations, to improve the quality of life, academic excellence, and training for cadets in the ROTC programs.