New Manager Brings Bond of Military Service to UC Veterans Programs

The transition from military service to civilian activities – like attending college – can be difficult for many veterans.

Terence Harrison knows. He experienced it firsthand. He wants to share what he's learned with the student veteran population at the University of Cincinnati and let them know they have access to many resources ready to help them succeed academically.

"Seeing that same bond of military service can put these students at ease because they know somebody's served in their shoes," Harrison says. "And I’m going to do my part to ensure they get everything they deserve."

Harrison is the new program manager of

UC's Office of Veterans Programs & Services

. He's also a Sergeant First Class in the 256th Combat Support Hospital out of Columbus, Ohio, in the Army Reserve, where he's served the past 26 years. Through the years, Harrison's military career has taken him to Germany, Iraq, Panama, Cameroon, Guatemala, Ecuador and various bases around the U.S.

Harrison recalls struggling to assimilate into civilian life upon his return from Iraq toward the end of Operation New Dawn in 2010-11. He worked in a hospital on a large military base, but he was not completely insulated from the dangers of war. The stress took its toll on him, even upon his return home. But he eventually managed to adapt.

"You’re going at such a high pace; you’re always on edge. Going from that back to being a family man again and expected to assimilate back into society, it’s tough. Thankfully I came out of that," he says.

Harrison plans to use his experience to help guide today's student veterans through their own transitions into the university lifestyle. He's a Bearcat himself, having earned a master's degree in Criminal Justice from UC. He's also a born-and-raised Cincinnatian and former director of the Veterans Upward Bound program at Cincinnati State. In other words, he has plenty of knowledge about what this region can offer student veterans.

"We have a robust student veteran population. We want to ensure they have a great experience here, like I did. I’m proud to be a Bearcat," he says.

Part of Harrison's plan for his office in the short term includes making students aware of the many resources available on campus and in the community that are tailored to suit veterans' needs. Among those near UC's campus are the Cincinnati VA Medical Center, the Vet Center and Volunteers of America. Harrison also wants to make students aware of the varied employers in the area looking to hire veterans.

Long term, Harrison says his office will continue to assist in UC's efforts to create a veterans center on campus – a place student veterans can call their own. And there's another future objective Harrison is working toward.

"I like to think big and be audacious," he says. "I really want UC to be the focal point – not only in the region, but nationwide – for other schools to emulate what we’re doing. Why don’t we become the standard bearer for how a successful veterans program is run?"

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