Bryan Edgar Bills is an ideal candidate for the Veteran of the Year® Award because he combines exemplary service across MOS 12H, 12K, and 94E with sustained post-service leadership that measurably improves outcomes for military-affiliated students. He deployed to Afghanistan twice and later served as an Ohio Army National Guard NCO, including mission leadership on the Southwest Border, where he was entrusted with high-value equipment accountability, interagency coordination, and mentoring Soldiers into leadership roles.
After service, Bryan has translated that experience into campus and community impact as Bowling Green State University’s Military Program Coordinator, advising 700+ military-affiliated students and coordinating retention outreach for those on academic standing. He manages and awards multiple scholarship portfolios (including the Thompson Military Scholarship and the William & Joan Dowing Military Scholarship), has reviewed and recommended awards across additional scholarship programs and grants, and supported students who earned external recognition such as the NVLF Military Community Advocate Scholarship and Leadership Fellows.
Bryan’s accolades reflect both performance and service: Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medals, Sapper Spirit Award, P.A.V.E. Mentor of the Month, Commandant’s List, multiple state and reserve-component recognitions, and repeated Dean’s List honors. Professionally, he accepted an Inter-University Council Joint Award on behalf of BGSU for the “Ruck the Ball” event with the University of Toledo.
He also invests in the next generation through leadership and volunteerism serving as faculty advisor to BGSU’s Student Veterans of America chapter, previously elected SVA President and Military Senator, and leading fundraising that sent student veterans to the SVA National Conference. His community service includes Habitat for Humanity and Salvation Army support, plus ongoing mentorship to transitioning service members through Service to School and other platforms.
I am deeply grateful to the military leaders who empowered me, challenged me, and trusted me to lead soldiers with integrity, compassion, and purpose. Your confidence in me shaped not only my service, but also the leader, mentor, and person I continue to become. To the soldiers who trusted me, thank you for your faith, your resilience, and your willingness to walk beside me through every mission and moment of growth. I also want to thank my family and friends, whose love, sacrifice, and steady encouragement carried me through every high and low. Finally, I am sincerely thankful to the Nontraditional and Military Student Services office at Bowling Green State University for their unwavering support, advocacy, and commitment to veterans and military-connected students like me every single day with care.
Bryan Bills is an Army veteran, (Ohio National Guard), mentor, and higher education advocate whose leadership continues to strengthen veteran success across Ohio and beyond in meaningful, measurable ways. After serving two deployments to Afghanistan, and two stateside in support of COVID, Bryan turned his commitment to service into a mission of helping military-affiliated students navigate college, benefits, and career transition. A Bowling Green State University alumnus, MBA graduate, and doctoral student, he has supported veterans through peer advising, mentoring, tutoring, and campus programming while advancing initiatives that build community and opportunity. Bryan’s work reflects a deep belief that service does not end with the uniform…it evolves into advocacy, education, and empowerment. Through public service, mentorship, and professional leadership, he has become a respected voice for veterans, students, and families pursuing purpose after military service.
