Q&A with Kevin Riley, Director of the Office of Military and Veteran Programs

The Catholic University of America strives for excellence in service to the Church, the nation and the world. That mission is reflected in our strong commitment to the Cardinal military-affiliated student population, including veterans, active-duty service members, ROTC cadets, and military dependents.

Catholic University holds a Silver-level accreditation from Military FriendlyⓇ and ranks in the top 12% of universities nationwide for veterans—including #1 in Washington, D.C., and #4 in the Mid-Atlantic region according to the Military Times 2024 Best for Vets: Colleges list. Catholic University strives to be a premier institution not only for veterans and their families but also for the next generation of military officers and national security professionals.

In July 2025, Catholic University welcomed Kevin Riley as director of the Office of Military and Veteran Programs (OMVP). Kevin leads efforts to expand enrollment of active-duty service members, veterans, and military dependents, while strengthening the University’s ROTC programs and partnerships with the U.S. Armed Forces and the broader national security community.

A U.S. Naval officer from 2014 to 2022, Kevin held leadership roles aboard the USS George H.W. Bush and the USS Pinckney, and served as Port Operations Officer in Washington, D.C., overseeing complex logistics and supporting senior Department of Defense officials and foreign dignitaries. Since joining Catholic University in 2022, he has served as operations coordinator in the College of Engineering, Physics, and Computing. A native of Silver Spring, Md., Kevin graduated from Gonzaga College High School and Fordham University, where he participated in Naval ROTC.

Read on to learn more about Kevin and the growing impact of OMVP on the Catholic University community.

Can you share how your experience in the Navy influenced your journey to Catholic University?

I felt a desire to serve in the military when I was in high school. My interest in the Navy was inspired in large part by a retired Catholic Navy Chaplain who was very close to my family and me. My Catholic faith was a significant factor in my decision-making. I commissioned through Navy ROTC in 2014 and served for eight years as a Surface Warfare Officer, operating and managing different areas of the Navy’s surface fleet. It was demanding and rewarding.

I felt a similar desire to serve a higher mission when seeking a role at Catholic University. My grandfathers also served in the Navy and happen to be Catholic University alumni. University archives was very helpful in locating their yearbook photos, but regulations dictate another quarter century before I can access their transcripts. That will be interesting.

What is your vision for the Office of Military and Veteran Programs, and how do you plan to advance Catholic University’s goal of becoming the premier destination for military-affiliated students?

Among the many leadership principles that get ingrained in prospective military officers, there are two that often stand out: (1) Know your people and look out for their welfare, and (2) Be technically and tactically proficient. I am striving to instill those principles in the work of the office. Whether it's liaising with the Department of Veterans Affairs, helping a student compete for an ROTC scholarship, or simply helping someone find their way to class, the office exists to serve these students.

What sets Catholic University’s support for Army, Navy, and Air Force ROTC cadets apart?

Values alignment. Catholic University’s values and the military ethos align well. This is evidenced by the sign at the front entrance to our campus that states, “In Service to Church and Nation.”

The Latin phrase “Deo et Patria” [for God and Country] is engraved on Caldwell Hall, the oldest building on our campus. The military seeks leaders who have a moral compass pointing north, and Catholic University is an optimal place to instill the fundamental principles needed for some of the tough situations inherent in military service. There are few places where ROTC students gain a solid foundation in philosophy and theology while also studying subjects like ship systems, aerospace engineering, and tactical leadership. Not to mention the almost round-the-clock opportunities to participate in the sacraments.

Military-affiliated students often bring unique experiences and needs. How does the Office of Military and Veteran Programs collaborate with other departments to support their integration into campus life and the broader University community?

OMVP serves as a focal point for our military-affiliated students, so I strive to have close connections with other departments in serving them. We also host a number of events throughout the year, including a veteran student orientation, a tailgate, and our Commissioning Mass. These events aim to help military-affiliated students integrate into campus life.

What scholarships and resources are available for military members and their families?

To name a few, the Father Emil Kapaun Scholarship covers the cost of room and board at the University for any incoming ROTC national scholarship recipients and those who earn a full-tuition, campus-based scholarship.

We are proud to continue participation in the Department of Veterans Affairs Yellow Ribbon Program. This program funds tuition and fee expenses that exceed the maximum amount paid by the Post 9/11 GI Bill®.

We are also a host of the Veterans Upward Bound Program, which aims to prepare eligible veterans to enter, persist, and graduate from their college of choice.

How do military-affiliated students contribute to advancing the University’s mission?

The presence of military-affiliated students can serve as an anchor for the University. With 6% of the country’s adult population being veterans and less than 1% currently serving, military-affiliated students are a unique group with the grit and determination needed to succeed in any setting.

How does the University support alumni who have served, and how can alumni contribute to the Office of Military and Veteran Programs?

We involve them as members of our community! Alumni get invited to our events and OMVP works with the Veterans Committee of the Alumni Association in enhancing the student experience and engaging with the local military and veteran community around us. Veteran alumni can lend a hand to our military and veteran students through professional mentorship, networking, or simply listening to the challenges these students face and working to remove any barriers to their progress. I welcome this type of engagement from any of our veteran alumni.

Help foster a strong, fellowship-based campus community and a dynamic learning environment for active duty service members, veterans, dependents, and ROTC students by making a gift to the Office of Military and Veteran Programs.