Air Force veteran McRae is Minot State’s new academic coach

MINOT, N.D. – Minot State University has many connections to the U.S. military, specifically the Air Force, including the Minot Air Force Base just 15 miles north of campus.

Rob McRae, a new addition to the Military Resource Center and the POWER Center, is a recent veteran and started working at Minot State in June.

“I served in the United States Air Force for eight years. For five years, I was a Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory (PMEL) technician stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada. For the last three years of my career, I was a Missile Alert Facility Manager stationed at Minot Air Force Base,” McRae said. “I work with students directly as a POWER Center academic coach. I mentor and advise POWER Center students, as well as make sure they are receiving assistance and information on things like financial literacy and tutoring.”

Although McRae’s main job is as an academic coach in the POWER Center, he also assists students in the Minot State Military Resource Center on campus. The center is for individuals currently serving, veterans, spouses, or dependents.

“One of the ways that my role is connected with veterans is my location on campus. My office is located in the Military Resource Center, not in the POWER Center itself. This allows students to still receive some of the services available at the POWER Center without them having to choose between the spaces available to them,” he said. “Students may already need to stop by the Military Resource Center, and they can see me as well if needed. As someone that earned my degree while on active duty and would have qualified for the POWER Program, I really enjoy the opportunity I have to belong to and serve the same community.”

With Veterans Day coming up, McRae chooses to honor those that served and are still serving today.

“For me, Veteran’s Day is a time for reflection. I don’t spend a lot of time dwelling on the sacrifices that I have made, but I always try to think about those women and men that are still serving. In a military town, it’s easy to lose sight of what some had to give up for our country, but it’s just as easy to see veterans or active military around town and to thank them for doing what so few of us are willing to do,” McRae said.

For Veteran’s Day this year, Minot State will host the community service providers resource fair on Nov. 8-10 in the Student Center along with a commemorative event scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 10 in the Military Resource Center in Model Hall 208. There will be different events throughout those days that can be found on the MSU calendar.

About Minot State University
Minot State University is a public university dedicated to excellence in education, scholarship, and community engagement achieved through rigorous academic experiences, active learning environments, commitment to public service, and a vibrant campus life.

Published: 11/07/21   


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