AU's Military and Veterans Services moves to a new home
By Steve Schwartz | Staff writer
Military Veterans Services (also known as MVS) has moved from its spaces in Washington Hall to Galloway Hall.
MVS processes education benefits provided by the military and provides for various services for students who are military veterans.
Galloway Hall, historically speaking, was a gymnasium for a military installation, and, later, in 2010, it becae a testing center for Augusta State University. Now it is the home for AU’s Testing & Disabilities Service—and MVS.
While continuing operations during summer courses and preparing for the fall 2026 semester, the staff of MVS collected their office supplies, gathered personal effects, packed up equipment, furniture, materials and cleaned out their cabinets.
The two-day move commenced with pack-up day on Friday Aug. 7, and blended into the start of operations on set-up day Monday, Aug. 10. The office was up and running by the Aug. 11.
“Student workers helped a lot with unpacking, set up started while we were moving, since it was so close,” said Tasha Barber, who serves as the military student records coordinator.
Although electronic communication and calls were interrupted while transferring to the new location, the staff was available to respond to in person requests. A coordinated effort between the office staff allowed for a smooth transfer to the new location.
As the semester started and the finishing touches were ongoing, facilities responded to an urgent HVAC system need. Currently, all MVS spaces are cool and comfortable.
MVS increased its footprint, with larger spaces including an additional office. Visitors sign in to room 128, an office suite that holds multiple student worker workspaces and two offices for tBarber and co-worker Kala Jones. Across the hall, director Stefane Raulerson and Lakisha Dinkins have settled into their new offices. Raulerson, retiring Sept. 30, will be passing the department’s leadership role to Dinkins, currently the MVS Fort Gordon coordinator.
The MVS also includes a military resource center, with a lounge area, study space, computer access and a place for military students to connect with one another. Joining military students at MVS will be other non-traditional students. The university integrated an adult learner coordinator position into the department. The position is currently vacant. These facilities will now be shared.
MVS provides opportunities for military and veteran students and more. Multiple Veterans Affairs work-study positions are regularly available. And, for those with a passion for helping veterans, the Augusta Military Advisory Council is seeking members to “raise the standard of support and care for AU’s military students.”
Settling into their new space, MVS carries out a mission of support for the veteran community in its new location, leaving behind spaces that are already filled. The university allocated the vacated former MVS offices in Washington Hall to the Art and Design Department. The occupants of these offices expressed gratitude for this portion of the many moves made on campus between Spring and Fall of ‘26.
“Augusta University’s leadership of enrollment and student affairs entrusts MVS to represent their support for military students and their academic journey,” Raulerson said. ”And MVS is happy to do so and thankful for the new space in which to do it.”
More information can be found at: https://www.augusta.edu/military/
Contact Steve Schwartz at stschwartz@augusta.edu.
Here is the front desk of the MVS Office in Galloway Hall, greeting military veteran students. At the top of the page, Galloway has replaced Washington Hall as the home of MVS (photos by Steve Schwartz/the Bell Ringer)
Lakishia Dinkins is set to become the head of MVS next month as Stefane Rauleson retires. (photo by Steve Schwartz/the Bell Ringer)
