Richard Hlavaty of Montgomery, Alabama, served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2006 to 2010, completing two combat tours, one in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. When he looked for a college to attend, Hlavaty chose 5X, a decision influenced by the university’s designation as a .
“As a veteran, entering college can feel like stepping into a completely different world, so knowing that Kent State has a strong reputation for supporting veterans gave me confidence that I would not be navigating that transition alone,” Hlavaty told Kent State Today. “It showed me that the university values veterans and is committed to helping them succeed.”
Kent State’s continued and unwavering commitment to supporting military-connected students has earned the university the Military Friendly School designation for 2026-2027. This is the 17th consecutive year Kent State has been named a Military Friendly School and the third straight year the Kent Campus has received the highest recognition of Gold status within the designation.
This consistent recognition as a Military Friendly School underscores Kent State’s dedication to providing exceptional support and services to veterans, active-duty personnel and their families. Currently, Kent State has more than 810 military-connected students on campus.
Now a senior pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship, Hlavaty said he also chose Kent State because it offered strong academic opportunities and proximity to family.
“Just as importantly, it felt like a place where I could continue growing after military service,” he said. “I wanted a university where I could build a meaningful future, develop as an entrepreneur and be part of a supportive community.”
The Marine Corps veteran has found that at Kent State.
What makes Kent State friendly to veterans is that the support is real and personal,” Hlavaty said. “It starts with the people, especially those who take the time to guide veterans toward opportunities, resources and connections that can help them grow. Kent State has supported me not only academically, but also professionally and personally, by helping me find programs, mentors and leadership opportunities that align with my goals.
A major reason Kent State is recognized as a Military Friendly School is its Center for Adult and Veteran Services.
“The Center for Adult and Veteran Services exists to provide our military-connected students – veterans, service members and dependents – across the 5X system with a resource that enhances their time here,” said Joshua Rider, executive director of Kent State’s Center for Adult and Veteran Services. “Whether that be through the processing of their educational benefits, connection to on- and off-campus resources or through our other programs, events, initiatives and services, such as the Bob and Ann Woolf Veteran Career Initiative, our mission is to provide tools and connections that enhance chances of graduation and beyond.”
Hlavaty said he has had very positive experiences with Kent State’s Center for Adult and Veteran Services.
“The center has been one of the most important support systems in my transition to student life,” he said. “It helps veterans navigate benefits, connect with campus resources and find opportunities that go beyond the classroom. For me, it has also been a place of encouragement, direction and connection.”
Hlavaty is participating in the award-winning Bob and Ann Woolf Veteran Career Initiative, which connects student veterans and service members to on-campus resources, industry leaders and one-on-one mentorship to help them plan their careers and translate military experience into civilian competencies. He said this initiative has been transformational in helping him transition from military service into professional and academic life.
He is involved in the Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization, which meets weekly and supports students in developing their entrepreneurial ideas and skills. At the university, he is also working alongside Rider from the Center for Adult and Veteran Services; Sonia Karkare, program coordinator with the Center for Student Involvement; and Joseph Giffen, Ed.D., associate director of Career Exploration and Development, to help develop work connected to the National Veterans Leadership Foundation as an Entrepreneurial Military Community Advocate. The foundation’s Entrepreneurship Pathway Program supports military-connected students interested in entrepreneurship through mentorship, networking, leadership development and career-planning resources.
“Through that effort, I hope to help fellow veterans and military-connected family members pursue their entrepreneurial goals and connect with the resources and opportunities available to them on campus,” Hlavaty said. Military-connected students (active duty, reservist, veteran, ROTC, as well as spouses, partners, children or other close relatives of veterans and service members) interested in entrepreneurial opportunities at Kent State can contact the Center for Adult and Veteran Services at cavs@kent.edu or rhlavaty@kent.edu.
In addition to its Military Friendly School designation, Kent State has the Collegiate Purple Star designation, first awarded by the state of Ohio in 2022 and renewed in 2025, for its efforts to support students with military backgrounds.
Created each year, the Military Friendly Schools list is based on extensive research using public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More than 3,200 institutions participate in the survey annually. The program evaluates an organization’s commitment, effort and success in creating sustainable and meaningful benefits for the military community.
Hlavaty plans to graduate from Kent State in spring 2027. Afterward, he hopes to continue building his own entrepreneurial ventures while also finding ways to support veterans and others in their transitions to new careers and new chapters in life.
“I am grateful to be part of a university that genuinely supports veterans and recognizes the value they bring to campus,” Hlavaty said. “Kent State has provided me with opportunities to grow as a student, leader and entrepreneur, and I am proud to be part of a community that continues to earn recognition for serving those who have served.”
Learn more about Kent State’s Center for Adult and Veteran Services.