Advisory Council

Daniel Avegalio currently serves as the Dean of Students at Missouri Western State University (MoWest), where he oversees multiple student-facing departments and initiatives across campus. His career in higher education spans over 16 years, with a strong focus on student success, veteran support, and strategic leadership in student services.

Before joining MoWest, Daniel worked as the Military Strategic Partnerships Manager for the Midwest Region at Western Governors University, where he built partnerships to support military-affiliated learners. Prior to that, he served as the Dean of Student Services at State Fair Community College in Sedalia, Missouri, leading departments including Advising, Financial Aid, Veteran Services, TRIO, Testing, Admissions and Records, Outreach, Housing, and Student Life. He also held responsibilities as the institution's Title IX and Student Conduct Officer.

Daniel's earlier roles include serving as the Director of Student Services at Sierra College in Rocklin, California, where he oversaw DSPS, Veteran Services, and supported Health Services and Residence Life. His professional journey began at American River College, where he held several leadership roles in Student Services, including as Student Services Supervisor for the Veterans Resource Center and TRIO Veterans Program.

A proud first-generation college graduate and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Daniel served from 2004 to 2009 and deployed three times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. His transitionfrom military to college life inspired a deep commitment to helping others navigate pivotal life changes - whether from high school to college, military to civilian life, or returning to education later in life.

Daniel holds an associate degree from American River College and a bachelor's and Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling from California State University, Sacramento. He has taught personal development courses, led faculty workshops on student veteran support, and served on the California Community College Veterans Advisory Committee.

Michael Brown served for 4 years on active duty in the Army, and during his time in, deployed to Bosnia with the 1st Armored Division. Upon getting out of the military, he went to college at Northern Michigan University, majoring in Political Science and Applied Ethics.

Michael accepted the role of Director of the Office of Veterans and Military Service Members at Villanova in October of 2018. This is a new position at Villanova, and he is tasked with growing the programs, opportunities and community at the university to include students from across campus, and alumni.

Monteigne Long, Ph.D. is the Director of Veteran & Military Services within The Texas A&M University System. She has dedicated herself to supporting student veterans in higher education since 2010, when colleges and universities saw a large influx of Post-9/11 veterans. Before joining The Texas A&M University System, Monteigne served as the Veterans Coordinator at Antelope Valley College in Lancaster, CA, and established the first Veterans Resource Center at California State University, Northridge.

Monteigne earned a doctorate in Educational Administration from Texas A&M University and a master's degree in Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs from the University of Southern California.

As an alumna of the 2022 George W. Bush Institute Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program, Monteigne has held notable positions including past-Co-Chair of the NASPA Veterans Knowledge Community. She presently serves on the advisory council for HigherEdMilitary.

Throughout her career, Monteigne has received numerous accolades for her service to the military-affiliated community. In 2023, the Texas A&M University System Office of Veteran & Military Services was honored with the Student Veterans of America William Pearson Tolley Award for their exceptional advocacy. In 2018, she was awarded Special Congressional Recognition from Congressman Steve Knight (CA), and a Commendation from Los Angeles County Supervisor, Kathleen Barger. Additionally, the University of Chicago recognized her as an Outstanding Educator for her exemplary teaching and student support.

Monteigne is a Gold Star Wife and Military Spouse, which fuels her deep passion for serving military-affiliated students.

Jessie Murnock currently serves at the University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, as the Deputy Chief of Staff for the Office of the President. Jessie joined the University of Louisville President's team in January 2020 as the Executive Officer to the President through the Army Career Skills Program. Jessie retired from the United States Army after 20 years of active-duty service in June 2020. Although she was new to the Office of the President, she was not new to the University of Louisville. Jessie previously served as the University of Louisville's Army ROTC Professor of Military Science and Department Chair from 2015 - 2019. In her current role as the Deputy Chief of Staff, Jessie seeks opportunities to advocate and mentor those transitioning service members seeking a professional career in Higher Education.

Over the course of her military career, Jessie served in various leadership positions and senior human resource manager roles. Some of her key assignments include Executive Officer and Board Recorder for the Department of the Army Secretariat for Selection Boards at Human Resources Command, Fort Knox, KY; Brigade S1/Senior Human Resource Manager for 1st Space Brigade, Peterson Air Force Base, CO and 101st Sustainment Brigade, Fort Campbell, KY/Afghanistan; Company Commander, Basic Combat Training, Fort Jackson, SC and Human Resource Detachment Commander, Fort Carson, CO/Iraq. Jessie is a combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq, and Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan.

Jessie is a native of Cottage Grove, WI. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Justice Administration from Columbus State University, Columbus, GA, and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Criminal Justice from Auburn University, Auburn, AL.

Jessie resides in Crestwood, KY with her husband (US Army Retired) and their daughter.

Hira Byrne Paulin is a disability and higher education professional. She is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and focuses on empowering individuals in becoming an equal participant in their services and care. She provides professional development for campuses interested in universal design practices to support service-connected veterans in their classrooms and helps build collaborative interdepartmental pathways to connect service-connected veterans with campus disability services. She has held positions as a disability specialist in the community college and four-year setting. In addition to her formal roles, she is also actively involved in the veteran transition space where majority of her time is spent providing mentorship to service- connected veterans on the topics of: functional impacts of disability; disability identity and self-advocacy development; as well as translating VA Rating into federal and state programs or accommodations veterans may be eligible for.

Mrs. Byrne Paulin has been working in higher education since 2014 and has held faculty and staff roles. She is currently an Advisory Council Member for HigherEdMilitary, a Grant Project Specialist for NSF Resource Center DeafTEC's Veteran Program, and Advisory Member for two councils at Springfield College. She started her educational journey in community college and is currently a PhD Candidate at Northern Illinois University, her research focus in military moral injury. She is the spouse of an active-duty career enlisted Marine.

Rob Prah served as the Director of Military & Veterans Affairs at the former California University of Pennsylvania for more than 15 years. He served as the third director in nearly 50 years, a full-time Military & Veteran position that began in 1973 in an effort to serve Veterans returning from Vietnam. Rob is a Pennsylvania native. He joined the Pennsylvania Army National Guard in January 2001 and participated in Operation Noble Eagle (Homeland Security) and Operation Iraqi Freedom 2009-11. In addition, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Master of Science in Law & Public Policy with a concentration in Homeland Security from California University of Pennsylvania. He is a recent graduate of the Army's Command and General Staff College. Rob has served in the Army National Guard & Army Reserve components for over 22 years and currently holds the rank of Major. He is currently assigned to the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Norfolk, VA. Rob is also an adjunct at Westmoreland College in Youngwood, Pennsylvania. He remains very active in the local community by serving as a Post Commander at his local American Legion, a District Deputy for the Westmoreland County American Legion (31st District), and is also active with organizations such as Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America, Team Red, White & Blue, Military Officers Association of America, and a life member of the Outer Banks (NC) Veterans of Foreign Wars.

He resides in Rostraver Township, PA, with his wife and two children. His wife is also an Officer and is serving on active duty with the Pennsylvania National Guard.