Issue 66 | 3/7/25

Welcome Back!

Hello, I’m Dr. Mia Garcia-Hills, Director of UIC’s office of Student Veterans Affairs. I am the daughter of a Korean War Veteran, the niece of a World War II Veteran and the proud aunt of two generations of Army and Air Force service members. I graduated from UIC in 2001 and am grateful for the opportunity to give back to the University that helped make my college dream a reality.

Student Veterans Affairs provides our military-connected community with a welcoming and supportive environment via the Císar Student Veterans Center. We provide resources, assistance, and programming to ease the transition to academic life and promote academic success.

Stars and Stripes will help you stay up-to-date with Federal policies, UIC Student Veterans Affairs news, events, and announcements. We thank you for being part of our community and hope you enjoy reading our newsletter. Archived newsletter editions are available on our website.

Course Withdraw (W) & Mitigating Circumstances
The VA requires that changes, such as withdrawal from a course be reported within 30 days of the change. To ensure appropriate measures are taken by the VA, the appeal form helps beneficiaries provide appropriate documentation. VA automatically grants mitigating circumstances for up to 6 credits the first time a student reduces or terminates, and mitigating circumstances must be considered. This automatic, one-time grant is called the 6-Credit Hour Exclusion. Up to 6 credits can be excluded if the student has been awarded benefits for the credit. The 6-Credit Hour Exclusion cannot be granted if the student completes the term and receives non-punitive grades.

If the student withdraws from 3 credits, the exclusion will be granted for 3 credits and the student’s one-time exclusion is used.

If the student withdraws from 12 credits, the exclusion will be granted for 6 credits, the student’s one-time exclusion is used, and the student must provide mitigating circumstances for the other 6 credits.

Annie “Nicky” Nickum

Annie “Nicky” Nickum is a librarian and assistant professor at the University Library at UIC, specializing in health sciences and Veteran support. She holds a BS in Nursing from the University of Iowa and an MLIS from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

A U.S. Army Veteran (2001–2005), Nicky served as a linguist before transitioning to the medical corps as a pharmacy technician at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Her experiences fueled a passion for patient education, health literacy, and helping student Veterans succeed.

As a librarian, she is committed to helping students find high-quality resources and preparing future healthcare professionals for evidence-based practice. She also ensures Veterans and military-connected students feel supported in their academic journey.

"You don’t have to go through this alone! The library is here to help."

Join the Student Veterans of America – UIC Chapter

Whether you're a veteran, currently serving, a military-connected student, or someone passionate about advocating for veterans, the Student Veterans of America – UIC Chapter offers valuable opportunities and support. Members gain access to exclusive SVA national scholarships, personalized career success coaching, networking events with local and national employers, and a strong community of peers who share similar experiences. Ready to unlock these benefits? Create an SVA account today!

Celebrating Women’s History Month

For 31 days, the nation celebrates women’s contributions and accomplishments. The Military Women’s Memorial (MWM) is delighted to join the celebration and to have the opportunity to reinforce what we do every day – tell the stories of America’s military women – highlighting their contributions, accomplishments, and sacrifice in service to America.

Upcoming Events
Join the Student Veterans Affairs Group to stay up to date on all our events and programs. We look forward to seeing you!

LARES Scholarships
Latin American Recruitment and Educational Services (LARES) offers a robust portfolio of scholarships and resources. If you have not already done so, stop by their office located at 1200 West Harrison, Student Services Building, Suite 2640, for more information.

Veteran Internship Program at Chicago Botanic Garden
This 12-week paid internship (May 19 – August 8, 2025) offers Veterans hands-on experience in fields such as education, horticulture, accounting, and more. Interns earn $18.36/hour plus a $50 weekly travel allowance.

Veteran Internship Program at Cantigny

Cantigny is offering a 16-week Veteran Internship Program for Spring 2025. This full-time, 40-hour/week program provides veterans with roles in both indoor and outdoor settings, including positions at the First Division Museum, Forestry & Grounds, Golf, and more. Participants will receive a $20/hour and gain hands-on experience. In addition to the practical work, veterans will benefit from field trips and social hours, fostering both personal and professional development.

The Císar Student Veterans Center (CSVC) is located on the second floor of Student Center East (SCE) room 248. Go through the Inner Circle food court, turn right (west) at the entrance to the Wellness Center, go past the Wellness Center front desk down the hall through the Commuter Student Resource Center, and you will see the CSVC entrance on the back wall.

Check out this step-by-step guide to the center: VIDEO

Císar Center Hours:

Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM


Contributing Editor: Nicolle Velasquez

828 S Wolcott Ave | Chicago, IL 60612 US

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