RSU Veteran Affairs Coordinator Emily Tubbs
As a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Emily Tubbs is familiar with the USAF’s motto: “Aim High…Fly-Fight-Win.”
Now a technical sergeant in the Tulsa Air National Guard, Tubbs applies that same call to action in her role as RSU’s veteran affairs coordinator.
“I’m not sure about the ratio of student veterans attending RSU, but I do know we have at least 250 students using GI benefits, which help with tuition, books and housing, licensing and certification, specialized training and more.”
As veteran affairs coordinator, Tubbs serves as the main contact for military veteran students and their dependents utilizing educational benefits, converting prospective students from application to enrollment through the management of recruitment and admissions procedures. Not only is she a veteran, but she is also an RSU student, too, currently enrolled and working toward a bachelor’s degree in general studies with minors in history and psychology. She plans to graduate next spring.
“I’m the certifying official for the university, making sure students or their dependents are certified to use their benefits as veterans during the school year, as well as helping veterans wanting to use their GI Bill or tuition waivers. The process can be complicated, but it’s my job to help them use their benefits as veterans to get their education,” she said.
Formerly the Oklahoma Military Academy, Rogers State University has a storied history of military students on campus, and Sgt. Tubbs plays a central role in ensuring members of the military maximize their opportunities for an education at RSU while addressing the needs unique to veterans.
RSU Veteran Affairs Coordinator Emily Tubbs, pictured while she was a Staff Sergeant
“During my time in the Air Force and with the Guard, I’ve learned a lot about leadership, about the experiences of serving in the military. It’s something that civilians may empathize with but may not entirely understand, which is why it’s important for members of the military, whether past or present, to connect with one another,” she said, “and here at RSU, that’s something we encourage.”
Sgt. Tubbs also oversees the Student Veterans Center, located on the Claremore campus in the Fine Arts Annex between Preparatory and Baird Halls.
“The Student Veterans Center is basically a study and lounge space for student veterans and their dependents, active military and military students to study, relax and go to foster a sense of community,” she said. “Made possible in part by the OMA Alumni Association, the center is freely accessible to veteran students with their student ID. We’re currently working to get some new computers, an updated gaming system, and more.”
Ultimately, Sgt. Tubbs said her role is to serve as the primary financial aid, admissions and registrar contact for students who are military veterans or dependents of vets receiving educational benefits, and to make their time on the Hill as enriching and rewarding as possible.
“The camaraderie among veterans – of all ages – is something special, and the military is a great way to serve your country and to help pay for your education. If it wasn’t for the military, I wouldn’t be a student here myself,” she said. “It’s an honor for me to serve in this position and to help my fellow members of the military get the most from their time here.”
For more information about being a veteran student at RSU, contact Sgt. Tubbs at 918-343-7738, email at [email protected] or visit our Prospective Veteran Student page.