After the Navy, Iowa Grad Reestablishes a Veterans Alumni Group

PHOTO: SCOTT TAETSCH/PGA OF AMERICA In addition to leading the UI Veterans Alumni Group, Robert Leahey also serves on the PGA Hope Georgia Advisory Council that helps military veterans find community through golf.

In 2017, Robert Leahey (21BA) hit one of his lowest points. Following his retirement from the U.S. Navy Corps after five years of service, he began pursuing a bachelor’s degree in enterprise leadership at the University of Iowa. But, at age 24, he didn’t feel like he fit in with his peers. He planned on transferring.

On one of his last planned nights in Iowa City, Leahey decided to grab a drink. He says, “I bumped into two gentlemen from the University of Iowa Veterans Association that night. They turned out to be some of my best friends.”

That exchange with Ryan Psenka (21BA) and Carson Kowalski made Leahey stay. He later lived with them, and Psenka was even a groomsman at his wedding to former Hawkeye tennis star Danielle Bauers Leahey (21BBA).

Now four years since graduating, Leahey is restarting an alumni organization for UI veterans. The goal of the UI Veterans Alumni Group is to provide current students and alumni with a community of support.

“Being able to show our students that there is a path forward, that’s super important.” —Matt Miller

Like Leahey, many veterans face challenges in finding meaningful friendship, mentorship, and career resources after serving. That’s why Matt Miller, Director of Student Support Services for Iowa Veteran Education, Transition and Support, is particularly excited about the alumni group’s reestablishment. “Our students usually stand out in class—they’re typically a bit older—so we want to give them connections with other students who share their experiences,” says Miller, who served in the Army for 21 years before taking the job at Iowa eight years ago.

Miller and his department support 2,300 students, including veterans, current service members, military-connected students, and ROTC cadets. Leahey keeps these students in mind when planning events for the veterans alumni group, such as a tailgate and flag presentation at Iowa’s Military Appreciation Day football game Nov. 8 against Oregon.

Throughout the year, Leahey plans to partner with Miller and pair students with veterans in their chosen career fields. “We have a lot of students who never thought that they’d go to college,” says Miller. “Being able to show our students that there is a path forward, that’s super important.”

Leahey is grateful two veterans in a bar brought him into Hawkeye community five years ago. Now, he’s proud to do the same for others.

PHOTO COURTESY ROBERT LEAHEY Veterans, including Robert Leahey (pictured at far right) tailgate in 2022 before an Iowa-Iowa State football game.