Kentucky Center for Veterans Studies

The Kentucky Center for Veterans Studies (KCVS) at EKU serves both non-veteran and veteran students. We strive to be a leader in public education and discourse about veterans’ issues. Our academic program in Veterans Studies was the first in the nation, and partnerships with KCVS provide students with opportunities in service learning, mentoring, and community education. We hope to inspire collaboration between business, government, and non-profit entities who want to address the needs of veterans in tangible ways. We want to bring veterans and non-veterans together, address veterans’ needs as a civic responsibility, and send graduates out into the world capable of improving the lives of veterans in their future careers and home communities.

Understanding veterans through college-level studies

The founder of EKU’s Kentucky Center for Veterans Studies hopes veterans studies will become available at other schools around the country.

Serving those who Served

The Kentucky Center for Veterans Studies expands upon EKU’s unique veterans studies academic program, offering outreach to veterans and valuable experiences for students.

Hannah Woods Reflects on Her KCVS Internship Experience

Hannah Woods graduated with a Bachelor’s in Political Science, minor in Criminal Justice, and a certificate in Veterans Studies. She also won the 2021-2022 Lorden Co-op Award for her semester-long internship, during which she represented the university as liaison for a three-star Army General.

Students Lead Efforts to Reach out to Veterans

A pair of Eastern Kentucky University students made the day of veterans living at St. Andrews Retirement Community on Veterans Day as they presented each one with a bag full of gifts, treats and handmade cards and letters.

Veterans Studies Students Set Sights on Careers in Mental Health

WEKU’s Corinne Boyer interviews Veterans Studies students and Dr. Autumn McCane from the Lexington VA Medical Center about the new KCVS Mentoring Program.

KCVS Advisory Council Announced

The KCVS Advisory Council is inclusive of business, government, and academic leaders who believe in our mission. Their expertise will help us educate more students and engage with more veterans in the EKU service region.

Veterans Studies Graduate Christopher Stanfield

Christopher Stanfield graduated EKU with a minor in Veterans Studies and now specializes in veterans benefits, homelessness, and employment services.

Educating the EKU Community

Kalan Ingram (USMC) and Samuel Aponte (KY-NG) explain how Veterans Studies contributes to a campus inclusive of veterans and their perspectives.

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Emily's Passion for Service Dogs

Emily Woodburn earned a Veterans Studies certificate because she wants to provide veterans with easier access to service dogs.

Learning About the Vietnam War

Everyone who takes Intro to Veterans Studies archives a story for the William H. Berge Center. One student found a veteran to interview while stocking shelves at a local grocery story.

Earn the Certificate

The University-level Certificate in Veterans Studies is a 24-hour, standalone credential available on-campus and online. It is awarded by Eastern Kentucky University

Earn the Minor

The minor in Veterans Studies requires 18 hours of coursework and can be completed in conjunction with any major degree program. It is awarded by the EKU Department of Psychology.

Customize Your Experience

Learn more about course requirements, learning opportunities, and plan your path toward earning a Veterans Studies minor or certificate