KDVA Campus Clubs are our “Boots on the Ground” on college campuses in the United States and Korea. KCCs support KDVA’s mission of enhancing and supporting the ROK-U.S. Alliance and our Veterans on college campuses.
Anyone can start a KCC and run the Campus Club as its President. KDVA HQ provides all the funds, social media support, and senior Alliance leaders to participate in events in person or by Zoom. You just need to register the KCC at your school and come up with ideas for activities and events.
If you’re interested in learning more about starting a KDVA Campus Club at your school, fill out the sign up sheet below or contact KDVA Campus Club Coordinator Ambrie Jones at ambrie.kdva@gmail.com. And join KDVA for free, yes for free, at kdva.vet/join-kdva.
Campus Club Sign-UpCAMPUS CLUBS
Sungshin Women’s University, Seoul, South Korea
Pyeongtaek University, Pyeongtaek, South Korea
Millersville University, Millersville, PA
Columbus State University, Columbus, Georgia
University of Utah, University Asia Campus, Incheon, South Korea
KCC News –
October 2025 – KDVA Introduces KDVA Campus Club at Sungshin Women’s University
The Korea Defense Veterans Association (KDVA) is very excited to announce the KDVA Campus Club at Sungshin Women’s University located in Seoul, South Korea. “S-KDVA” is led by Club President, Seungyeon Jin with support from Professor Jangwook Kim, Faculty Advisor.
Sungshin Women’s University 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.
Seungyeon Jin
Club President
Seungyeon Jin said, “I am honored to serve as the President of S-KDVA. It is a great joy and privilege to take the very first step of S-KDVA together with the students of SSWU.
S-KDVA was founded out of a deep appreciation for Korean culture and a heartfelt desire to share its beauty with others. Through exploring various aspects such as food, music, traditions, and language, we hope to learn from one another, connect, and create meaningful and enjoyable experiences together.
I hope our small community becomes a space where hearts are connected through culture,
and where greater understanding and friendship can continue to grow.
Finally, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who has supported and encouraged the founding of S-KDVA.
We look forward to growing and walking this journey together with all of you.”
Professor Jangwook Kim
Faculty Advisor
Professor Jangwook Kim said, “The privilege of studying in refreshing, cool environments during scorching summers and cozy, warm spaces throughout harsh winters exist because of our unwavering national defense and security. Students at Sungshin Women’s University, Korean and international, will be able to embrace opportunities through KDVA Campus Club participation to celebrate the Korea-US alliance and pay tribute to our veterans’ noble service.”
June 2025 – KDVA Introduces the 1st KDVA Campus Club of 2025 in Korea
The Korea Defense Veterans Association (KDVA) is very excited to announce the 1st Campus Club of 2025 in Korea. KDVA Campus Club at Pyeongtaek University located in Pyeongtaek, South Korea. The KDVA Campus Club (KCC) is led by Club President Kim Jun, with support from Professor Han Ki-jung, Faculty Advisor.
The Pyeongtaek University KDVA Campus Club (PTU KCC) 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, Kim Jun said, “I’m truly excited and honored to take the first step of KCC together with our students in PTU. KCC was founded out of a shared love for Korean culture and a desire to share it with others.
Through topics like food, music, traditions, and language, we hope to learn from one another, connect, and create meaningful and enjoyable experiences.
I hope our small community becomes a space where hearts are connected through culture, and where greater understanding and friendship can grow. Thank you sincerely to everyone who has supported the launch of KCC — we look forward to this journey with you!”
Professor Han Ki-jung said, “I believe the PTU KCC will play a small but meaningful role in enhancing cultural understanding between Korea and the United States and in further strengthening the robust alliance between our two nations. Culture serves as the foundation of diplomacy, and each of your efforts will be a valuable step toward expanding the grassroots of the ROK-U.S. Alliance.”
The Pyeongtaek KCC will hold its Launch Meet & Greet on, Monday, June 23 at 2:00 PM, Lecture Hall, 2nd Floor, Munmu-Gwan, Pyeongtaek University. Whether you are a KDVA member or not, you are invited – for free!
KDVA Campus Clubs are on college campuses in the United States and Korea. KCCs support KDVA’s mission of enhancing and supporting the ROK-U.S. Alliance and our Veterans on college campuses. Anyone can start a KCC and run the Campus Club as its President. KDVA HQ provides all the funds, social media support, and senior Alliance leaders to participate in person or by Zoom. You just need to register the KCC at your school and come up with ideas for activities and events.
If you’re interested in learning more about starting a KDVA Campus Club at your school, please contact KDVA Campus Club Coordinator Ambrie Jones at ambrie.kdva@gmail.com. And join KDVA for free, yes for free, at kdva.vet/join-kdva.
April 2025 – KDVA Launches the second KDVA Campus Club in the United States.
Millersville University, Millersville, PA
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.
August 2024 – KDVA launches first KDVA Campus Club in the United States
Columbus State University (CSU)
The Korea Defense Veterans Association (KDVA) is very excited to announce the 1st U.S. KDVA Campus Club at Columbus State University (CSU), located in Columbus, Georgia. The KDVA Campus Club (KCC) is led by Club President Kelly Britt with support from Club Advisors, Mr. Daewoo Lee, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Patrick Donahoe, and Mr. David Kieran.
The additional founding members of the CSU KCC are Mason Martin, Vice President; Janetta Crawford, Secretary; Hannah Boisvert, Treasurer; and Hallie Tanner, Scribe.
The CSU 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 – all are free!
Mr. Daewoo Lee said, “We are honored to host the KDVA Campus Club Meet and Greet at Columbus State University, marking the establishment of the first KDVA Campus Club in the United States. This event reaffirms KDVA’s unwavering commitment to the ROK-U.S. Alliance—a crucial partnership that ensures peace and security for both nations. Engaging in meaningful dialogue strengthens our resolve to advocate for this Alliance and support those who have served it.”
The CSU KCC held its Launch Meet & Greet on August 29, 2024.
WTVM News Coverage on the Meet & Greet – https://www-wtvm-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.wtvm.com/video/2024/08/30/kdva-establishes-student-chapter-columbus-state-university/
May 2024 – University of Utah, University Asia Campus
The Korea Defense Veterans Association (KDVA) is very excited to announce the 1st KDVA Campus Club at the University of Utah, University Asia Campus (UAC), located in Incheon, South Korea.
The KDVA Campus Club is led by Club President Jewoong Hwang with support from Mr. Sunghee Kim, Assistant Professor, School of Accounting, and Mr. James Park, Director of External Relations and Alumni Affairs. The Club members include several former and current KDVA Interns.
The UAC 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.
Mr. Sunghee Kim, one of the Club Advisors said, “I am very excited that the very first KDVA Campus Club has been established at the University of Utah Asia Campus (UAC), empowering the Club to have a global setting from the beginning. The University of Utah provides students with the opportunity to become global leaders by studying in multiple nations, including South Korea. The KDVA Campus Club established at the University of Utah Asia Campus plans to extend its operations to the main campus in Salt Lake City.”
