Welcome and Mission

Welcome back Huskie scholars!

This year has been an interesting one to say the least but fortunately we are back to begin or continue our journey together for your academic goals. NIU, the Dean of Students Office, the Center for Student Assistance, Commuter and Off-Campus Programs and the Office of Military and Veteran Services has worked throughout the summer to create the best environment possible to get you through this difficult time. As veterans, reservists, and/or dependents, we come from an environment of leadership and shared responsibility for the well-being of our brothers and sisters around us. I ask that we continue to lead from the front to ensure the safety of our fellow Huskies by adhering to the guidelines of wearing masks, social distancing, and following the Protecting the Pack plan.

A few new wrinkles to ensure we are successful with the new guidelines:

• Our office is now called Military and Veteran Services. We are still aligned with Commuter and Off-Campus Programs. So if you see Jeff Salmon, give him a wave! (He’s still with us…along with Chris and Marissa.)
• In person questions for staff regarding benefits will be by appointment only. To set an appointment, please email mss@niu.edu. 
• The Military and Veteran Services lounge will be closed until we receive guidance on how it will be cleaned to meet health guidelines.
• Please continue to email (first method of contact) and call the office with questions about benefits to ensure benefits have been processed.
• If you have any amazing ideas that can be implemented to engage each other during this time, please let us know! mss@niu.edu.

This semester marks my fifth year as the director of this office and I will say that I truly love working with you. One of our hallmarks is our interactions. Some returning students I know better than others but I’ve seen each of your names to know you are here. I’m sure that we will see each other on campus (behind masks) and we can give a wave or have a socially distanced conversation outside. Working with the student veteran Huskie community has rarely felt like work…you all make this fun! Our benefits counselors, Associate Director Jeff Salmon and I will continue to “work” to make this semester as seamless as prior semesters as much as we can. Welcome back!

Huskie Pride,

Eric Armstrong, MBA
Director, Military and Veteran Services

Mission Statement

The Office of Military and Veteran Services serves as a central resource for our unique and diverse population of students at Northern Illinois University. By developing student centered programming and providing excellent customer service, we strive to enhance the learning environment and develop a culture of inclusion for all military students.