UWF establishes Office of Military Services

Rick Outzen

4 months ago

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The University of West Florida established the Office of Military Services (OMS), bringing together the University’s Army and Air Force ROTC programs and the Military and Veterans Resource Center under the Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis and Overholtz Center for Leadership.

WHAT? OMS aims to streamline support for military-affiliated students, fostering a cohesive environment that enhances their academic and leadership development. By uniting these programs, the University seeks to strengthen its commitment to serving those who have served or are preparing to serve our nation.

“Northwest Florida is home to so many military and veteran communities that it is only natural for UWF to have all of them served from a single place of prominence at the University,” said UWF Interim President Manny Diaz Jr.

Diaz Priority

Strengthening UWF ties with the military bases in Northwest Florida is priority for Diaz. At his first conference in July, Diaz said of making UWF a more military-friendly institution: “I know a lot of work has been done with that, but we have to make sure we can continue to leverage that and maximize that potential from what access, affordability and strong student outcomes. Every student that walks on this campus should know that they belong. We are committed to helping them cross that graduation stage and thrive as they take what they’ve learned at UWF into the world.”

OMS will serve as a priority program under the President’s Office. Diaz has named AWKO Center for Leadership’s Dr. Andrew M. Del Gaudio as the OMS executive director. Del Gaudio will work closely with Clifford Humphrey, vice president of strategic initiatives, as well as Christian Cosner, director of institutional reporting and strategic research. The office was created to collaborate with the President’s Office on “military and veteran equities” both on campus and in the community.

“I’m excited to have Dr. Del Gaudio lead this effort,” Diaz said. “The Office of Military Services will not only assist in the development of our Officer Cadets, but also assure that we continue to provide excellent service to our military-affiliated students while forging a pathway forward with our strategic government and military partners alike.”

Dr. Del Gaudio is the Department Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart in Alabama. He was hired to head the Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz Center for Leadership in February 2025.
I have interviewed retired Marine Lt. Col. Del Gaudio several times over the past five years. He served in combat in Ramadi, Iraq and was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat V — and the Purple Heart.

For more information about UWF, visit uwf.edu.