Name and job title at Keiser U?
Kevin C. McGarry, Ph.D.
University Department Chair (UDC) for Biomedical Sciences
Melbourne Campus Online Liaison
Student Veterans Faculty Advisor
When did you serve and in what branch of the military?
USMC – ’81-‘85
What did you do in the military?
60mm Mortarman and later Forward Observer/Radio Operator
Tell us a little about what your role is at Keiser U?
As University Department Chair I oversee the Biomedical Sciences Bachelors in Science program on all the campuses offering the degree. As Program Director, I work directly with the Deans on program matters and an advisor to the students in my program. As online liaison, I am the “go to” guy for students taking online courses. They can contact me with any issue they may have and if do not have an answer I can direct them to the appropriate person who does. The position of student veterans faculty advisor is the one I love the most. I work with our student veterans helping them transition into academic life. I am the faculty advisor for our Melbourne chapter of the Student Veterans of America (SVA).
What is an accomplishment you are most proud of during your time with Keiser?
I am proud to have started the first KU SVA chapter on the Melbourne campus as the faculty advisor and getting the group involved with the National Homeless Veterans Support. Our chapter has done a superb job in the community assisting our homeless veteran population. On the 3rd Saturday of each Month they go out into the woods looking for homeless Veterans and when the locate them the homeless Veterans are put in contact with the VA for their benefits. Our chapter also volunteers and helps coordinate two Stand Downs a year and an event called “Warm, Full, Safe” where homeless veterans are put up in motels for Christmas. As a result, in the last 4 years of our involvement, Brevard’s homeless veteran population went from over 500 to nearly a functional zero.
What is one thing about you that no one knows?
I was homeless for almost 3 years after I got out of the Marines.
My instructors believed in me. They were more than instructors, they tried to get to know you as a person and tried to understand your goals so they could push you towards them. Student services helped me find a job before I even graduated. Everyone was dedicated to my overall success.
