By Mona Lisa Faris, Publisher, U.S. Veterans Magazine
The 17th Annual Student Veterans of America (SVA) National Conference (NatCon), held from Jan. 2-4, 2025, at the beautiful Broadmoor Resort and Convention Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, brought together around 1,800 diverse student veterans, academic leaders, employers and advocates. Colorado Springs, known for its picturesque backdrop, is also home to the prestigious United States Air Force Academy, demonstrating its deep connection to military excellence. The event celebrated empowerment and opportunity, aimed at helping student veterans transition successfully from military service to higher education and professional careers.
At the heart of the event was SVA’s National President and CEO, Jared Lyon, whose dynamic leadership continues to drive the organization’s efforts to empower student veterans. Through transformative initiatives, Lyon has been instrumental in providing students with the resources they need to succeed in higher education and beyond. His charisma, vision and commitment to the cause make him a true leader in advancing the mission of SVA.
The conference featured a lineup of distinguished speakers who shared their expertise and experiences with the attendees. Israel Del Toro, U.S. States Air Force SMSGT (Ret.), delivered a powerful message about overcoming adversity, while Kristina Keenan, Deputy Director of National Legislative Service at the VFW, discussed the importance of advocacy and policy in supporting veterans. Jay Bowen, Chairman of the American Legion, also spoke on leadership and the need to continue supporting veterans’ communities. The event was narrated by the beautiful and talented actress and model Jamie Gray Hyder, whose presence added an extra layer of elegance to the proceedings. These speakers and many others helped make this two-day event an unforgettable experience filled with valuable insights and motivating messages.
Since its inception in 2008, SVA has grown to support nearly 1,600 chapters across the U.S. and internationally, benefiting over 750,000 student veterans. At the heart of SVA’s mission is the commitment to helping student veterans navigate their educational journeys while preparing them to become the leaders and innovators of tomorrow.
One of the standout features of this year’s conference was the 2025 Employment Summit, hosted in partnership with Hiring Our Heroes and LinkedIn. This summit provided valuable resources for job-seeking student veterans, including professional headshots and workshops focused on career development and networking. Keynote speaker Sallie Clark, from the office of the mayor of Colorado Springs, offered insightful perspectives on leadership and community involvement, inspiring attendees to take action toward their futures.
In addition, sessions such as “The Economic Opportunity Landscape for Student Veterans” highlighted student veterans’ critical role in shaping the workforce. These discussions emphasized how student veterans’ unique skills and leadership qualities make them valuable assets in the job market and how they can be equipped to succeed in an ever-changing landscape.
The conference also featured the SVA Campus Networking event, where exhibitors and employers actively engaged with student veterans, further reinforcing the event’s commitment to career advancement. It was clear that NatCon aimed to inspire student veterans and provide them with the practical tools and connections they need to excel in their careers.
View these exhibitors for opportunities!
American Military University
Brown University
Charles Drew University
Claremont Lincoln University
FDIC
Fiserv
KBR
Lockheed Martin
Lowe’s
MFRI
National Science Foundation
Navy Mutual
NCUA
Northrop Grumman
Peace Corps
Rocket Mortgage
RSM
RTX
Spectrum
The Ohio State University
USDA
Looking ahead, the 18th Annual SVA National Conference will return to the Broadmoor Resort and Convention Center in January 2026. This event continues to serve as an essential gathering for student veterans, advocates and organizations eager to support the student veteran community and empower the next generation of leaders.
As I reflect on the success of this year’s conference, I encourage all student veterans, advocates and organizations to join us at future events. “Attending the SVA National Conference is more than just an opportunity to learn—it’s a chance to connect, grow and be inspired. Together, we can empower the next generation of leaders.”
Find out more about the SVA at: https://studentveterans.org
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