Leadership

Jeff Hammond is the founding Director of the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families.  Following 32-years Active Duty service to Our Nation and the US Army, he and his wife Diane returned home to assist the USM Family and in particular, Military-Connected Students.  Jeff is a USM graduate who places his faith in Jesus Christ, Family and caring for Service Members, Military Veterans, and their Families.  Jeff has been married to Diane (a USM Criminal Justice graduate) for 41-years and they have an extended Texas A&M Aggie and USM Golden Eagle Family including Michael and Laurel, Josh, and Meagan along with grandsons Paul, and David.

Cody Abadie grew up in Smithdale, MS and attended high school at West Lincoln Attendance Center where he graduated in 2007. In that same year he enlisted as an Aviation Ordnanceman in the United States Navy and served five years on board the USS. John C. Stennis.

Cody was vice president and president of Student Veterans of America (SVA) while attending school at USM. He was also a VA work study from 2014-2016, and graduated Southern Miss in 2016 with a bachelors in Anthropology and a minor in History.  

He was a teacher for the Mississippi Youth Challenge academy from 2022-2024 where he worked closely with at risk youth in a quasi-military environment. He now enjoys being the outreach coordinator and telling people about Southern Miss and the Center for Military Veterans, Service Members, and Families.

Cody also enjoys spending time with his wife Judi, and his many animals. He also enjoys running his business Eagle Action Sportz and seeing smiles on his many customer’s faces. In his spare time, you can always find him in the great outdoors doing one of many of his outdoor hobbies.

David Magola was born and raised in Hattiesburg, Mississippi and is proud to be a Southern Miss graduate.

Although, he has not served in the Military himself, several of his family members have served. This makes David's duty of assisting our Veterans, Service Members and their Families extremely important to him.

David received degrees from Jones County Junior College and the University of Southern Mississippi.

He enjoys helping people and finds serving Southern Miss as a VA Certifying Official very rewarding.

Aside from assisting our Veterans, Service Members and their Families, David enjoys spending time with his wife, Heather, his two sons, Lucas and Eli, and his extended family and friends, as well as painting, writing music and attending church.

David “Red” Rayborn has recently joined the staff of the Military Veterans, Service Members and Families Center here on campus as our VA Certification Specialist. Red was a student at Southern Miss from 1975-1979 as a Marketing major. He spent 42 years in Transportation and Logistics serving in middle and upper management throughout the Southeastern U.S.  He comes to us starting what he calls a “2nd career”. “I wanted something more rewarding in my latter years. What could be more rewarding than assisting veterans and their dependents with their GI bill benefits and helping them further their education?  I also could have no greater honor than to help Southern Miss which will always hold a special place in my heart!”   

SMTTT!!

Stacy L. Henley was born in Gulfport, Mississippi and raised in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.  Due to Hurricane Katrina she relocated to McHenry, Mississippi with her children Zach and Ryan.

After earning two degrees from Pearl River Community College, Stacy earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management from The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Park.

Stacy joined The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Park Campus staff in 1999 as a Financial Aid Clerk in the Office of Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs.  In 2004, Stacy transitioned to the Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs Specialist and became responsible for certifying VA Educational Benefits for Gulf Park students.  Stacy serves with care, compassion and dedication to the student veteran population on the Gulf Park Campus as their Veterans Affairs Benefits Coordinator.

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Mr. Steven Welch works for the Department of Veteran Affairs as a Nationally Certified Rehabilitation Counselor with the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) program. The VR&E program’s mission is to assist Veterans with service-connected disabilities prepare for, obtain, and maintain suitable employment, and/or live as independently as possible. Also, Mr. Welch works in conjunction with The Center of Military Veterans, Service Members and Families as the VetSuccess on Campus Counselor (VSOC) at the University of Southern Mississippi. The VSOC program aims to help Student/Veterans, Service Members and eligible Dependents succeed and thrive through a coordinated delivery of on-campus benefits along with counseling and guidance for preparation to enter the workforce in viable careers.

The VSOC program operates under the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) education and career counseling program, or Chapter 36 authority, administered by VA’s VR&E program. Chapter 36 benefits offer a wide range of educational and vocational counseling services to Veterans, Service Members and Dependents who are eligible for one of VA’s educational benefit programs. These services are designed to provide Student/Veterans with personalized counseling and support to help guide their career paths, ensure the most effective use of VA benefits, and achieve both educational and career goals. Services include but are not limited to:

• Career Choice - understand the best career options based on your interests and capabilities
• Benefits Coaching - guidance on the effective use of VA benefits and/or other resources to achieve education and career goals
• Personalized Support - Academic or adjustment counseling and personalized support to help remove any barriers to success

For further information and to contact Steven please click here.

Marcus Padgett is a dedicated 39-year-old veteran from Jones County, Mississippi, with an impressive 22 years of service in the Mississippi Army National Guard (AGR). He completed three overseas tours during his military career, receiving commendations such as the Bronze Star and the Order of St. Maurice for his outstanding service.

Marcus holds a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Liberty University. He has recently embarked on a new journey as a Veterans Benefits Specialist for the Mississippi Veterans Affairs at the Center for Military Veterans, Service Members, and Families, where he is committed to supporting veterans and their families in navigating their benefits.

Outside of his professional life, Marcus is happily married to his wife, Lindsay, and they have a son named Jon-Marc. He is passionate about serving his community and making a positive impact on the lives of fellow veterans.

Terry Sercovich is the Veteran Benefit Specialist at The University of Southern Mississippi/Gulf Park Campus.  He assists Veterans and their families with preparation, development and submission of service connected disability claims and VA pensions.  Terry served in the Coast Guard Reserves for 23 years, serving 2 tours in the Middle East.  He retired from the Plaquemines Parrish, LA Sheriff’s Department as well as an Attorney at Law for the State of Louisiana.  He is a Coast Guard licensed vessel operator and commercial fisherman.  Terry makes his home in Long Beach, MS with his wife Rachel. 

Teddy Reed serves as the Veteran Benefit Support Area Director/South for the Mississippi VA.  He is a student of service by overseeing the planning and implementation of outreach events for Veterans in South Mississippi.  He continues his life-long mission of assisting Veterans navigate their post-service lives.  Teddy also serves on the Board of Directors for the Pine Belt Veterans Task Force.

Born and raised in Hattiesburg, Teddy served 32 years in the Coast Guard and Coast Guard Reserves. He is a graduate of The University of South Florida with a Bachelor’s in Education and is an active member in the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Hattiesburg. 

He has been married to Eliza DeGraff Reed for 36 years and has two daughters, Shelby Reed Winpigler (Southern Miss ’18) and Anna Reed Freeman (Southern Miss ’23).  SMTTT!