Meet the SVA Leadership Team
The Student Veterans of America chapter at Michigan State University is led by students who are committed to advocacy, connection, and leadership development. Together, this team works to strengthen the military connected community on campus and ensure student veterans have both a voice and a place to belong.
Christian Mandarino
Title: President
Hello, my name is Christian Mandarino. I am majoring in International Relations and Supply Chain Management, with a minor in Defense Studies and Leadership. I am a United States Marine Corps veteran and served four years with 1st Battalion, 7th Marines from 2015 to 2019 as an Infantry Rifleman. I deployed to Al Asad Airbase, Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve in 2019.
My academic and professional interests focus on national security and logistics. Before coming to MSU, I helped lead the Glendale Community College Veterans Club. That experience taught me the importance of consistency, adaptability, and building strong veteran communities. As SVA President, my goal is to continue moving this organization forward with purpose while strengthening connection and opportunity for military connected Spartans.
Dominic Pucillo
Title: Vice President
My name is Dominic Pucillo, and I am the Vice President of the undergraduate Student Veterans of America chapter at Michigan State University.
I served in the United States Marine Corps from July 2021 to June 2025 as a Motor Transport Operator with Combat Logistics Battalion 6 at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. I participated in multiple large scale training exercises, including NATO operations in Finland and Norway. Those experiences reinforced the value of teamwork, leadership, and showing up for the people to your left and right.
I began attending Michigan State University in Fall 2025 and am pursuing a degree in Social Studies Education with an Italian minor. Through CVMAS, I found a community built on genuine care and shared experience. As Vice President, I aim to strengthen that sense of connection through events, advocacy, and continued growth of veteran resources at MSU.
Contact: pucillod@msu.edu
Joshua Hill
Title: Secretary
Joshua is from Battle Creek, Michigan and served in the United States Marine Corps from 2015 to 2019 as a Military Policeman. He is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in Human Resources and Labor Relations at Michigan State University.
Joshua enjoys time at the range, mountain biking, and traveling.
Contact: hilljo17@msu.edu
Ian Knapp
Title: SVA Organization Advisor / Coordinator, CVMAS
Ian Knapp serves as the advisor to the Student Veterans of America chapter at Michigan State University. As Coordinator of the Center for Veteran and Military Affiliated Students, he works alongside student leaders to support organizational growth, strengthen partnerships across campus, and ensure continuity from year to year.
His role is to mentor student leadership while empowering the chapter to remain student led, mission focused, and community driven.