Meet the PAVE Leadership Team
At Michigan State University, the Peer Advisors for Veteran Education (PAVE) Leadership Team is dedicated to serving not only our student veterans but also the dependents and family members who stand beside them. Supporting those who support our veterans is one of the most meaningful ways we give back. Through mentorship, connection, and resource sharing, PAVE Leaders help veterans and their families navigate university life, foster a sense of belonging, and thrive as part of the Spartan community. Together, we honor service by continuing it—caring for those who have served and those they care for.
Kyle E. Hiner
Title: Team Lead
Kyle E. Hiner is from Shepherd, Michigan, and served in the United States Marine Corps from 2011 to 2021. He began attending Michigan State University in 2024 and is currently majoring in Journalism with minors in Sports Journalism and Broadcasting. Kyle has a projected graduation date of 2026 and hopes to become a sports-feature documentarian. In his free time, Kyle enjoys staying active through fitness and wellness. He’s a proud dog dad to Rocco and cat dad to Alfie. Traveling and staying connected with friends and family is also very important to him. He loves attending sports events and playing fantasy football in the fall. Kyle has a passion for writing and is working to reconnect with his love for music through drumming.
He can be contacted via email: Hinerkyl@msu.edu or by text at (989) 444-4645.
Jay Velez
Title: Team Lead
Jay Velez is from New Bedford, Massachusetts, and served 22 years in the U.S. Army as a Cavalry Scout, retiring as a First Sergeant. He completed two deployments to Iraq and four to Afghanistan. Jay is majoring in History–Social Studies Education at Michigan State University. He is married to his wife, Sarah, and they have two sons, Joseph and Bradley. In his free time, he enjoys camping, SCUBA diving, mountain biking, and grilling.
Contact: Velezjer@msu.edu | Text: (757) 503-0056
Matdy
Title: Team Lead
Maddison Dick (Matdy) is originally from Erie, Pennsylvania and is a dependent of her father who served in the United States Army. Matdy is currently a sophomore (second year) at Michigan State University majoring in Criminal Justice and minoring in Defense Studies and Leadership as well as Law, Justice, and Public Policy. On campus, Matdy is a student employee with MSU Tours and a member of Alpha Omicron Pi. Off campus, she is a volunteer firefighter and certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and spends as much time as she can with family. During her free time, you can usually find Matdy studying, reading, or hanging out with friends.
Contact: dickmadd@msu.edu
Joshua Hill
Title: Military/Veteran Advisor
Joshua is from Battle Creek, Michigan and served in the United States Marine Corps from 2015–2019 as a Military Policeman. He is currently pursuing his Master’s in Human Resources and Labor Relations and is in his first year in the program. He enjoys his time at the range, mountain biking, and traveling.
Joshua can be contacted directly via email: hilljo17@msu.edu.
Christian Collins
Title: Military/Veteran Advisor
Bio coming soon.
Logan Buhl
Title: Military/Veteran Advisor
Logan Buhl is from Howell, Michigan, and is currently serving in the Army National Guard. He is pursuing a Master’s degree in Human Resources and Labor Relations at Michigan State University. Logan enjoys all things fitness-related and spending time with friends, family, and his two dogs, Drake and Barrett.
Logan can be contacted directly by phone at (517) 375-2288 or via email: Buhlloga@msu.edu.
Annalise Ransom
Title: Dependent Advisor
Bio coming soon.
Reilly McIntosh
Title: Dependent Advisor
Bio coming soon.
Liv English-Saunders
Title: Dependent Advisor
Liv English-Saunders is from Leesburg, Virginia. Her father served in the U.S. Army. This is her second year at Michigan State, where she is majoring in Games and Interactive Media with a focus in art. Outside of drawing and playing video games, Liv’s hobbies include crochet, spending time with friends and family, and travel. Feel free to contact her anytime. Email: engli159@msu.edu
Patrick Forystek
Title: Director of CVMAS / PAVE Advisor
Patrick Forystek served in the United States Marine Corps from 2008 to 2012 with the 1st Battalion, 11th Marines as an artillery section chief. During his service, he deployed on the USS Boxer with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) in 2009 and to Afghanistan in 2010.
Patrick’s own transition from military to civilian life was shaped by a team of caring professionals and peer advisors who helped make the process as smooth as possible. Inspired by that experience, he became a peer advisor and served in a role that helped guide his professional development and passion for supporting fellow veterans.
Today, Patrick enjoys mentoring and working with PAVE students, helping them translate their military leadership skills into success in a new environment. He values the opportunity to provide co-curricular learning experiences and to empower students through peer connection and support.
"PAVE is a great program for addressing common transition barriers faced by military-affiliated students all through the shared expertise of peers. Get involved and make a difference!".