Welcome to Duke
The Office of Student Veterans was officially established in 2015 under the direction of Division leadership. After years of advocating for the needs of military-affiliated graduate students across campus, the creation and dedication of the office in 2015 signaled more formal recognition and representation of student veterans on Duke’s campus. While the office supports those students who have served or are still serving, the Office is nested within the larger Dean of Students Office.
The Office of Student Veterans collaboratively with students, faculty, and staff to support our undergraduate, graduate, and professional school student veterans. Throughout the year, we work with key stakeholders across campus to determine the needs of our students, develop priorities, and implement support strategies.
The Office of Student Veterans currently focuses on three primary objectives:
- Develop and implement opportunities for community building
- Serve as a resource for both current and potential student veterans
- Advocate on behalf of our student veteran population
Contact Us and Location
If you have general questions for the Office of Student Veterans, need support at Duke University, or would like to collaborate with our office, please email us at veterans@studentaffairs.duke.edu or call our office at 919-613-4453.
Our office is located in the Crowell Building, East Campus (Garden Level).
GPS: (36.006695, -78.913686)
Our Staff
S. Clay Adams
A Chesapeake, Virginia native, Clay serves as the Vice Dean of Students at Duke University. He graduated from Virginia Tech with a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies, a B.S. in Business Management, and a M.A. Ed. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. He most recently earned his Masters of Business Administration from North Carolina Central University. Clay directs the onboarding of new undergraduate students, parent and family programs, student veteran initiatives, Student Affairs crisis response and risk mitigation teams, and graduate and professional student support. Additionally, he works is the Division liaison to various constituencies. In his free time, Clay can be found enjoying time with his family or training for endurance sports. Clay's passion for working with the military-affiliated student population can be directly tied to his family. Clay's older brother was an enlisted Army service member in the 82nd Airborne Division.
Email: clay.adams@duke.edu
Dalton Dey
Dalton (he/him) is an Assistant Director in the Dean of Students Office. He is originally from Nebraska and earned a BSBA in Finance from the University of Nebraska. He also attended The Ohio State University for graduate school, where he earned his MA in Higher Education and Student Affairs. Dalton's responsibilities include engaging with the military-affiliated community through programming, supervising the OSV graduate assistants, resource sharing, and advocacy. He also has responsibilities working with New Student and Family Programs including Bricks to Stone, the Duke Common Experience, and advising students. Before coming to Duke, Dalton worked in Housing and Residence Life, and he is excited to continue supporting students as they transition into, and through, higher education. Outside of work. Dalton can be found exploring the Durham food and coffee scene, playing with his dog, Dallas, and watching basketball.
Email: dalton.dey@duke.edu
Chandler Cole
Chandler Cole is a Graduate Assistant in the Office of Student Veterans. She is an Army Veteran and 3rd year law student here at Duke. In the Army, Chandler served as an Engineer Officer; she is Sapper-tabbed and completed two overseas tours, including a deployment to Syria as a Route Clearance Platoon Leader in 2018.
Chandler graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Philosophy from the United States Military Academy at West Point. She has a dog (Jovi) and cat (Monica), and enjoys rugby, sewing, and painting. One day, she hopes to be on Survivor.
Email: chandler.cole@duke.edu
Chase Pikarsky
Chase Pikarsky, hailing from North Carolina, serves as a Graduate Assistant in the Office of Student Veterans while simultaneously fulfilling duties as an Intelligence Specialist in the Navy Reserves. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Western Carolina University and is currently immersed in the study of Philosophy within Duke's Graduate Liberal Studies program. In his leisure time, he embraces his roots by fostering animals and relishing in the delights of bubble tea.
Email: chase.pikarsky@duke.edu
