Peer Advisors for Veteran Education (PAVE)
Make a difference. Find your community. Support your fellow veterans.
Transitioning from military to college life comes with unique challenges, but you don’t have to do it alone. PAVE pairs incoming student veterans with trained Peer Advisors, fellow student veterans who understand the unique challenges of adjusting to academic life after military service.
PAVE at MSU helps new student veterans navigate campus resources, address academic and personal challenges, and build community.
- Help new student veterans navigate campus resources
- Offer guidance on academic, personal, and professional challenges
- Foster a sense of belonging and community
- Connect students to on- and off-campus support services
Since 2016, the Peer Advisors for Veteran Education (PAVE) program at Michigan State University has been a foundation of connection and belonging for the military-connected community. What began as a support network for student veterans has grown to include spouses, dependents, and families; recognizing that service touches everyone at home.
At MSU, we believe that supporting veterans means supporting those they care for. PAVE’s outreach is intentional and inclusive, helping every member of the veteran community find the resources, confidence, and community they need to thrive.
Through partnerships with campus departments, community organizations, and national initiatives, PAVE at MSU continues to expand its reach; building a culture of care, resilience, and shared purpose that strengthens the Spartan military community every day.
At Michigan State University, the Peer Advisors for Veteran Education (PAVE) program is built on the belief that military service shapes more than the individual who wears the uniform, it influences families, spouses, and children whose lives are deeply woven into that experience. PAVE at MSU recognizes this shared impact and extends support not only to veterans, but to all who have been part of the military journey.
Each incoming student veteran, spouse, or dependent is welcomed into a network of trained Peer Advisors who understand the unique transitions that come with life after military service. These advisors, who are veterans or military-connected students themselves, reach out proactively to offer guidance, share resources, and provide personal encouragement throughout the semester.
PAVE at MSU fosters authentic connection through consistent outreach, small-group activities, and collaborative partnerships across campus. Whether it’s helping a student navigate university systems, find community support, or simply talk with someone who “gets it,” the program ensures that no member of the veteran or military family feels unseen or alone. At its core, PAVE at MSU stands apart because it honors every story shaped by service, the veteran, the spouse, the dependent, each with experiences that deserve to be understood, supported, and celebrated as part of the Spartan family.
There are many ways to get involved with PAVE at MSU, whether you want to lead, connect, or simply be part of a community that understands your journey. Every role contributes to strengthening the Spartan network of veterans, spouses, and dependents who support one another through every stage of university life.
Join a team that leads with empathy, service, and experience. Peer Advisors receive training in mentorship, leadership, and resource navigation to help veterans, spouses, and dependents feel at home in the Spartan community. By sharing your own story, you can help others find confidence, connection, and success at MSU.
Whether you served in uniform or shared that journey through family, PAVE connects you with someone who truly understands military life and the transition to campus. Peer Advisors reach out early and often to offer encouragement, answer questions, and connect you to the right resources, ensuring you never have to navigate alone.
Throughout the year, PAVE hosts events that strengthen bonds within the veteran and military-connected community, from welcome socials and family-friendly gatherings to professional development workshops and service projects. These spaces bring together those connected by service to share stories, celebrate resilience, and build lasting friendships as Spartans.
The Peer Advisors for Veteran Education (PAVE) program is a national initiative developed by M-SPAN at the University of Michigan to empower student veterans through peer support, connection, and leadership development. PAVE bridges the gap between military and campus life by creating a nationwide network of veterans helping veterans, so no one has to navigate higher education alone.
PAVE’s mission is to build community, increase access to resources, and strengthen student success. Through peer mentorship and proactive outreach, the program improves retention and graduation outcomes, supports well-being, and develops the next generation of veteran leaders on campuses across the country.
Since its founding, PAVE has expanded to more than 21 colleges and universities nationwide, serving over 39,000 student veterans with the support of more than 2,200 trained Peer Advisors. Each campus tailors the model to meet local needs, and at Michigan State University, that commitment extends even further to include spouses and dependents as part of our military-connected family.
By participating in PAVE, MSU joins this larger network of empowerment while uniquely honoring the experiences of veterans, their spouses, and their children. Together, we honor service by continuing it, through connection, mentorship, and a shared commitment to helping every military-connected Spartan thrive.
39,000+ veterans supported across 21+ campuses — one peer connection at a time.
By participating in PAVE, MSU joins this larger effort to empower student veterans, ensuring they have the tools, support, and community needed to thrive.