Each year, Hire a Veteran Day (July 25) reminds us of the invaluable qualities individuals who served in the United States Armed Forces bring to every corner of civilian life. At Case Western Reserve University, veterans continue their mission of service as educators, researchers, public safety professionals, and more—translating military experience into leadership, resilience, and a deep sense of purpose.
To recognize those at CWRU who previously served, The Daily spoke with three veterans who shared how their experiences contribute to the CWRU environment today.
Read on to get to know these individuals who continue their mission of serving others beyond the uniform.
Aneta Mullins
Online Master of Social Work student, Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences
When Aneta Mullins first joined the U.S. Army Reserves, her goal was simple: fund her college education. Throughout her eight years of service—which included a 16-month deployment to Iraq—she gained invaluable insight that would shape the rest of her life.
As an 88M Motor Transport Operator, Mullins was responsible for safely moving troops and supplies through unpredictable and often dangerous environments. While enlisted, Mullins learned how to demonstrate positive leadership, adapt under pressure and connect with people from all walks of life—lessons that led her to get promoted to sergeant.
Those experiences inspired her next mission: supporting veterans. Now an online MSW student at CWRU’s Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, Mullins aims to become a social worker focused on veteran care.
“I would like to be a bridge for veterans who need care or are separating from the military,” said Mullins, who is expected to graduate in 2026.
At CWRU, Mullins credits her professors, online cohort and the discipline she honed in the Army Reserves for keeping her on track through challenging moments—even on days when she felt like giving up.
“What a person learns in the military, both about themselves and the world, cannot be learned in a classroom or from a book,” she said. “In my opinion, the life experiences veterans bring to the table is invaluable.”
Todd Kolva
Facilities Safety Specialist II, Environmental Health and Safety
When Todd Kolva enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, he was searching for direction—and discovered a path that would define his life and career. Over 12 years of service, he first worked on active duty as a bioenvironmental engineer, protecting the health and safety of personnel supporting three F-15 squadrons.
Later, as a member of the Washington Air National Guard, Kolva took on critical emergency response missions, including establishing localized air control during wildfire season in eastern Washington. He also joined the Tactical Air Control Party (TACP), a specialized team responsible for coordinating air support for Army, Marine and Naval operations during combat.
These roles required precision, adaptability, and strong leadership—qualities that now shape Kolva’s work at CWRU. His experience working independently and managing risks also taught him how to collaborate and unite people to make campus safer by reducing, controlling and eliminating hazards.
Kolva’s military background also laid the foundation for earning certifications as an industrial hygienist and safety professional through the university’s Environmental Health and Safety department.
“It would be challenging to work toward these credentials without both my military experience and the support from the university,” he noted. “When I see individuals expressing themselves freely and being supported by a healthy community, I appreciate the longevity of my service.”
David B. Miller
Professor, Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences
For David B. Miller, service didn’t end when he left the military—it simply evolved. A U.S. army veteran of eight years in active and reserve duty, Miller served in infantry, field artillery, and nuclear, biological and chemical units before being honorably discharged.
Since joining CWRU in 1993, Miller credits his military background with preparing him to navigate the university’s structure, respect different perspectives and work with individuals of various backgrounds to accomplish tasks.
Today, Miller channels the knowledge he gained from serving in the military into his work on the OMEGA Project as an associate professor at the School of Medicine, where he focuses his research on the health of African American males, specifically chronic stress in youth and prostate cancer awareness in adults.
Beyond the medical school, Miller is also a professor at the Mandel School and a member of the Population and Cancer Prevention Program at Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, where his work centers around equity, community engagement and health justice.
“My military experience provided me with the foundation of service to others, sacrifice for the collective good and collaborative teamwork,” said Miller, who initially joined the Army to access educational and housing benefits. “Being a veteran, I speak freely about injustices knowing that I swore an allegiance to uphold the Constitution.”