KDVA Introduces the second KDVA Campus Club in the United States.

KDVA Introduces the second KDVA Campus Club in the United States.

The Korea Defense Veterans Association (KDVA) is very excited to announce the 1st U.S of 2025. KDVA Campus Club at Millersville University located in Millersville, PA. The KDVA Campus Club (KCC) is led by Club President Ashley Via with support from Mr. David Owen, Faculty Advisor.

The Millersville University KDVA Campus Club is excited to bring together students with common interests to increase awareness and advocacy of the ROK-U.S. Alliance and our Veterans. With the support of KDVA, they will host Meet and Greets, Webinars, Conferences, Korean Cultural Experiences, and more.

Club President, Ashley Via said, “I’m truly excited to see KCC-MU become a space where we can honor the enduring partnership between South Korea and the United States, while building a supportive community of military-affiliated students.”

Ashley Via served in the U.S. Army for five years as a Behavioral Health Specialist, earning the rank of Staff Sergeant before transitioning to civilian life. During her time in service, she was stationed primarily at Fort Sill, OK, where she gained hands-on experience in mental health support and crisis intervention. Now in her first year at Millersville University, Ashley is pursuing a degree in Psychology.

Mr. David Owen, KCC MU Faculty Advisor said, “Once I learned about KDSA’s mission and its plans to establish campus clubs across the U.S. to promote that mission, I was genuinely excited. Having served in the U.S. Air Force on the Korean Peninsula at Osan Air Base, I deeply understand the importance of the U.S.-South Korean alliance. The newly established KCC-MU not only provides us with an opportunity to educate local communities and create a presence on campus, but it also allows me to bring together many aspects of my life, namely my military service, life experiences in Asia, and teaching—in meaningful ways that benefit others. I am truly excited about what the future holds for KCC-MU and KDSA.”

Dr. David A. Owen holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Politics and Asian Studies from Southern Illinois University. He is currently an Associate Professor of International Politics at Millersville University of Pennsylvania, a position he has held since 2013. Before joining Millersville University, Dr. Owen spent approximately 17 years living in East and Southeast Asia. His career began in the U.S. Air Force, where he served for about 9 years, primarily on the Korean Peninsula and in mainland Japan.

Dr. Owen has been teaching since 1999, starting with faculty appointments at esteemed universities in East and Southeast Asia. He has published research on political attitudes and behavior across multiple countries, including Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, North Korea, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. His work has appeared in respected scholarly journals such as the Journal of Communist and Post-Communist Studies, the Journal of Chinese Political Science, and Asian Politics and Policy, among others. His experience in the region began with his assignment at Osan Air Base, South Korea.

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Did you know that anyone can start a KDVA Campus Club at any American or Korean college/university? KDVA will cover the cost of ALL activities. If interested, please connect with Ms. Ambrie Jones (KCC Coordinator) ambrie.kdva@gmail.com, register the KDVA Campus Club with your institution, and plan and run your activities about Korea, the ROK-U.S. Alliance, and Veterans. It’s that simple!

Here is information about the KDVA Campus Clubs: https://kdva.vet/campus/.

KDVA is a nonpolitical, nonprofit organization registered in Virginia with operations in the United States and South Korea.

Ambrie Jones

KDVA Campus Club Coordinator

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KDVA is very excited to announce the second KDVA Campus Club in the United States. The campus club is located at the Millersville University in Millersville, Pennsylvania.

Our Millersville University KDVA Campus Club will launch its first Meet & Greet on Monday, April 21, 2025.

What: Millersville University KDVA Campus Club Launch Meet & Greet
When: April 21st from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Where: Ford Atrium in Mccomsey Hall on Millersville University’s Campus
43 East Frederick St. Millersville, PA 17551

The event is free! Please register by April 20 to ensure we can accommodate all attendees.

Free parking in Parking Area 1 or Parking Area 2.

REGISTER

 

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