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<h1>Nominees and Finalists Named for the 2026 HigherEdMilitary Spotlight Award</h1>

<div id="MainImg" style="margin-bottom:20px;margin-top:5px;"><img src="https://images.higheredjobs.com/images/articles/article_4784_1.jpg" alt="HigherEdMilitary Spotlight Award Image" class="" style="" /></div>

<div id="article-byline">by Monika Sziron</div>

<div id="article-content"><strong>Monday, July 27, 2026</strong> -
<p>The HigherEdMilitary Spotlight Award highlights those working in higher education who are exceptional at finding innovative ways to change, grow, and support the military-affiliated population on campus.</p>

 <p>Nominations for the 2026 award were submitted by the public and stakeholders across the higher education community.</p>

 <p>Please join us in recognizing the inspiring professionals who are leading the way in higher education and making a noticeable impact on military-affiliated student success. The following are this year's HigherEdMilitary Spotlight nominees.</p>

 <h2 class="">2026 HigherEdMilitary Spotlight Award Nominees:</h2>
 <ul> <li><b>Desiree A. Campos</b> - Manager of Financial Aid, Scholarships & the Veterans Resource Center, Mt. San Antonio College</li> <li><b>Ida Chan</b> - Associate Director, Center for Military-Affiliated Students, The New School</li> <li><b>Lisa Chandler</b> - Associate Director, Adult Learner and Veteran Services, Colorado State University</li> <li><b>Rebecca Cossaboom</b> - Assistant Director of Military-Affiliated Supports and Services and School Certifying Official, Towson University</li> <li><b>Coby Dillard</b> - Director of Military and Veterans Affairs, University of Texas at Tyler</li> <li><b>Jacob Estrada</b> - Director of Military Engagement, Indiana Wesleyan University</li> <li><b>Charlie Foster</b> - Director, Office of Student Veteran Engagement, William & Mary</li> <li><b>Agatha Funes</b> - Coordinator for Inclusion, Office of Veterans Affairs (COVA), The City University of New York</li> <li><b>Mia Garcia-Hills</b> - Director of Student Veteran Affairs, University of Illinois Chicago</li> <li><b>Kelvin Gumbs</b> - Executive Director, Military Educational and Strategic Partnerships, Purdue University Online Global</li> <li><b>Jamie Pacheco</b> - Coordinator, Veterans Success Center, California State University Bakersfield</li> <li><b>Adam Pierson Milano</b> - Clinical Instructor, Assistant Director, Global Engagement Programs, UNC Chapel Hill</li> <li><b>Alexis Sullivan</b> - Director of Military-Affiliated Student Services, Northampton Community College</li> <li><b>Leroy VanWhy</b> - Associate Professor of Business & Leadership, Southeastern University</li> </ul> <h2 class="">2026 HigherEdMilitary Spotlight Award Finalists:</h2>
 <p>Based on the quality of the nomination, the nominee's commitment to the field, and the nominee's innovative work, the finalists have been selected by the <a href="https://www.higheredmilitary.com/company/council.cfm" title="https://www.higheredmilitary.com/company/council.cfm">HigherEdMilitary Advisory Council</a>.</p>

 <ul> <li><b>Lisa Chandler</b> - Associate Director, Adult Learner and Veteran Services, Colorado State University</li> <li><b>Coby Dillard</b> - Director of Military and Veterans Affairs, University of Texas at Tyler</li> <li><b>Charlie Foster</b> - Director, Office of Student Veteran Engagement, William & Mary</li> <li><b>Agatha Funes</b> - Coordinator for Inclusion, Office of Veterans Affairs (COVA), The City University of New York</li> <li><b>Jamie Pacheco</b> - Coordinator, Veterans Success Center, California State University Bakersfield</li> <li><b>Adam Pierson Milano</b> - Clinical Instructor, Assistant Director, Global Engagement Programs, UNC Chapel Hill</li> <li><b>Alexis Sullivan</b> - Director of Military-Affiliated Student Services, Northampton Community College</li> </ul> <p>The 2026 winner will be announced in the coming weeks via the <a href="https://www.higheredmilitary.com/news/signup.cfm" title="https://www.higheredmilitary.com/news/signup.cfm">HigherEdMilitary newsletter</a>.</p>


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<p>This article is republished from <a href="https://www.HigherEdMilitary.com">HigherEdMilitary</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://www.higheredmilitary.com/news/articleDisplay.cfm?ID=4784">original article</a>.</p>
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