After serving 20 years and four days in the U.S. Navy, working in nuclear power aboard aircraft carriers, Niccole Callahan decided to take a chance and pursue something new. Today, she is a full-time student at the University of Nevada, Reno, majoring in materials science and engineering. 

Before finding the Veteran and Military Student Center, Callahan wasn’t sure where her place was on campus. 

“John Pratt, the Veterans Services adviser, was the second person to greet me on campus and make me feel at ease, to make me feel at home in this place,” Callahan continues. “Deciding to come to the Veteran and Military Center was nice. It made a difference — I was able to connect with students because we have a lot more nontraditional students, students who are a little older, a little further along in life, students who have similar backgrounds.” 

The warm welcome Callahan received inspired her to begin working in the Veteran and Military Student Center. After a trial run over the summer to see if she could balance work and classes, she was determined to make it work.

Her favorite part of the job is connecting with fellow student veterans and hearing their individual stories from their service, classes, or life experiences — she finds it interesting and relatable.  

“The transition from Navy life to college wasn’t easy,” Callahan said. For a better transition into college, Callahan said that grit was key to her success.  

“Resilience is a big one because in the military you’re constantly challenged day to day, mission to mission. You’re on deployment, you’re away from family, and you must sometimes dig deep within yourself. I try to keep that in mind as I’m going to school and facing the challenges in the school world,” Callahan said. 

Despite her 20 years of experience in nuclear power, Callahan continues to learn something new in every class. 

“The college aspect of it is more in-depth. The way the Navy teaches you nuclear power, they only focus on what you need to know. But in school, specifically in one of my classes I’m taking now, it’s more in-depth, especially with math,” Callahan said. 

Callahan’s husband, also a Navy veteran, has been a key supporter throughout her adjustment to school, homework and life balance.  

“My husband’s been amazing. While I was serving on active duty, he was going to school for his electrical engineering degree. When he graduated, we switched, so now he works full time and I get to go to school,” Callahan continues. “He’ll try to help with math sometimes because he has a strong math background as an electrical engineer. He’s been essential in helping me make it through this.” 

Callahan emphasizes the value of perspective, a mindset she carries into both her education and daily life. 

“If you are thinking about going to school, talk to a veteran about their experiences. Some people will have great stories. Some people will be like, ‘it was terrible.’ It's all about perspective, especially in a classroom. Perspective is a big part of how you feel about an experience. If you are too negative sometimes, it ruins the entire experience,” Callahan said. 

To any student veterans or service members considering higher education, Callahan encourages giving school a fair chance.  

“It's probably going to be a little bit scary and unnerving in the beginning. But it's like all the other experiences that you work through being in the military and being a veteran. Lean into it, have fun with it, find your community on campus. Talk to people who have different experiences from you and try and have a good time,” Callahan said. 

Callahan is set to graduate this spring with a degree in materials science and engineering. She hasn’t mapped out her next step yet, choosing instead to keep her options open and embrace the excitement of whatever comes next. 

The Veteran and Military Center at the University of Nevada, Reno, is dedicated to supporting the transition of military-connected students through higher education, career and civic endeavors. More than just a location, the Center upholds traditions familiar to many service members — camaraderie, respect and belonging — while helping students achieve their academic, personal and professional goals. 

Veterans events in November 

This November, the Veterans Office will host Veterans Week, a series of events honoring those who served. 

“This year it will start on Monday, Nov. 3. We’re going to do a flag planting, which is traditional for what we do. We plant American flags in the shape of Nevada in front of the student union and leave them there for the whole week,” Callahan continues.  

“People walk by, see us out there, and jump in to help! We also do a flag retirement on Thursday, where we honorably retire flags that are either tattered or faded. We get plenty of support from the campus community — other students come and help us with all our events.”