In this role, Josh ensures that VA benefits are being processed so students can enjoy their UMSL experience and focus on their studies. He served four years active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps as a Motor Vehicle Operator where he did two tours as a driver/loadmaster for over 100 logistics convoys that supplied the outlying forward operating bases and combat outposts in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Following his time in the Marine Corps, Josh spent 6 years in the U.S. Air Force Reserves as a Mental Health Technician. During that time, his wife joined the Army and Josh thoroughly enjoyed supporting her military career just as she had done for him. Josh is a fellow UMSL Alumnus and has spent several years on campus supporting student veterans via working as a student worker and through the student veteran organization, Triton Vets. In his off-time Josh enjoys working on his home, yardwork, and playing a good video game.
Ann is currently a part-time School Certifying Official for the UMSL Veterans Center. Ann has worked in higher education administration for over 10 years, in many capacities. Most recently, she was Assistant Registrar at a local private university. In this role, she was the School Certifying Official for all veterans, assisting them from admissions through graduation. It was the most rewarding aspect of her job, being able to advocate for and help those that have served our country, through the many layers of receiving their education benefits. She focuses most of her time at UMSL processing certifications and changes to the VA and is committed to getting the details correct in a timely manner for each student. This allows students to focus on their educational goals knowing they are supported by all of those in the UMSL Veterans Center.
Tori Tappe
Tori is the UMSL Veterans Center graduate assistant. In this position, she is the manager for the VA work study students and handles many other tasks for the Veterans Center as needed. She graduated with her Bachelor of Social Work degree from UMSL in May 2020 and jumped into the Master of Social Work program shortly after; she hopes to graduate in May 2022. As a Marine Corps veteran, Tori worked as an airframe mechanic on the EA-6B Prowler from 2011-2016. Dog mom to Lilly, Tori enjoys taking Lilly to Forest Park for some refreshing scenery and exercise.