Lisa Buckman, an Air Force veteran with more than 27 years of military service, is the new director of the Office of Veteran and Military Student Affairs. She began in her role April 15.
“I am thrilled at the opportunity to continue to serve the thousands of servicemen and women, along with their families, across the Pikes Peak Region,” Buckman said. “I am joining a team of true professionals who have the drive and passion to help our military and veteran population achieve their educational and career goals, and am excited to expand our footprint across the region.”
Buckman was most recently partner development director at Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center in Colorado Springs, where she created avenues of support for military members, veterans and their families. She collaborated with staff, board members and partners to build collaborative relationships and strategic alliances with community organizations and businesses to support the mission of Mt. Carmel.
Buckman previously spent more than 27 years of active duty service in various roles with the United States Air Force. She ended as a command chief for the 10th Air Base Wing at the U.S. Air Force Academy, after a career that included chief of medical enlisted force for Air Force Space Command at Peterson Air Force Base, group superintendent for the 10th Medical Group at USAFA, superintendent for the office of the dean for the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, and airman leadership school commandant at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.
“Lisa brings a passion for helping others and has mentored, developed and trained thousands of active duty military as they transitioned to positions within the military or into civilian life,” said Brad Bayer, senior executive director of student life and assessment. “She is well positioned to lead the unit to the next level of excellence.”
Buckman earned her MBA from Trident University, her bachelor’s degree in occupational education from Wayland Baptist University, and associate of applied science degrees from Wayland Baptist University and Community College of the Air Force. She completed the strategic leadership course at the Center for Creative Leadership and the Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century executive leadership course.
UCCS ranked fifth among large public institutions in the 2020-21 Military Friendly Schools ranking. Nearly 20 percent of UCCS students have a military affiliation, including active duty, veteran or family member. The McCord-Herbst Student Veteran Center in Gateway Hall opened in 2016 and was further expanded in 2019 to provide a home for the campus Office of Veteran and Military Affairs and a lounge for student veterans between classes.