Cole Passick

University of Northern Iowa

U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Cole Passick, a junior at the University of Northern Iowa, is an active student leader involved on campus. He has served as President of the UNI Veterans Association, President of the Model United Nations Competition team, and was selected as a lower cabinet director of military and veteran affairs for Northern Iowa Student Government (NISG). He went on to serve as the Chief Justice of the NISG Supreme Court. In addition to his leadership roles, Passick is a founding member of the University of Northern Iowa’s Mental Health Council. He saw the need on campus, and in his community to help destigmatize PTSD as well as address stigmas regarding student veterans on campus. Passick, along with his fellow UNIVA executive team has successfully planned and hosted the 2018 and 2019 Statewide PTSD Awareness Conferences. This annual conference covers issues and concerns from sexual assault to addictions and secondary traumas. Along with Passick’s involvement on campus, he is also a member of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Organization, and a founding member of the Cedar Valley Vets in the Park, a summer program where veterans and their families are invited to gather weekly for fellowship and food.

Dr. Mark Nook
President
University of Northern Iowa

Personal Statement

You never know the path someone has walked, and that is why I am involved in Cedar Valley community, breaking down mental health and Veteran stigmas. Many people suffer from PTSD and mental health issues, which are no different than a more visible issue. Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not there. Helping people through the smallest of tasks can change someone's life forever. I often get asked why I do so much for some people when I know they will never be able to repay me. I believe that if you can help someone, then you do it. There is so much hate in this world and I know a little bit of compassion will go a long way. My nominator said, “There are probably many other things that he has done, but in true Cole humility, only the ones he has supported will probably ever know.” I have never done things to be recognized; I do them because I know if you can make an impact on just one person you can change the lives of thousands. Knowing that makes all the hard work worth it.

Cole Passick
Double Major in: Political Science & Public Administration: Class of 2020
written 2020

2020 Fellows Alphabetical by Institution

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Alexander Kaye, U. of Central Florida Miyako Iwata, UC Berkeley M. Chiamaka Okonkwo, UNC Charlotte Noelia Michelle Flores González, Universidad de Monterrey Ashlyn Woods, University of Baltimore Greta Hacker, University of Central Arkansas Christian Coleman, University of Central Oklahoma Hailey Ettinger, University of Colorado Boulder Michael Hernández, University of Connecticut Claire Sullivan, University of Dayton Maggie Nelson, University of Delaware Tarun Ramesh, University of Georgia Gregoria Uroza, University of Houston-Downtown Wasan Kumar, University of Illinois at Chicago Kaitlyn Meyr, University of Kentucky Ana Benitez, University of La Verne Amanda Gardner, University of Maine at Augusta Stephanie Turcios, University of Mary Washington Nihira Mugamba, University of Maryland, Baltimore County(UMBC) Maggie Sullivan, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Danelia Ramirez Aguilar, University of Massachusetts Lowell Jendayi London, University of Miami Meredith Days, University of Michigan Lucy Grimshaw, University of Missouri – St. Louis Kortney Sims, University of Montana Dinesh Karki, University of Nebraska Omaha Alexandra Vergara, University of New Hampshire Keyri Ambrocio, University of New Haven Aryelle Jacobsen, University of North Carolina Asheville Katherine Torres, University of North Georgia Yarik Molina, University of North Texas at Dallas Cole Passick, University of Northern Iowa Evan McKenna, University of Notre Dame Justin Norris, University of Oklahoma Nisha Sridhar, University of Oregon Oluwatomisin Oyedele, University of Pennsylvania Stephanie Rose, University of Pittsburgh TJ Tann, University of Richmond Ana Trejo Aguilar, University of San Diego Evelyn Pedraza Fernandez, University of San Francisco Imani Sherrills, University of South Carolina Beaufort Patrick Mack, University of South Carolina Upstate Reylan Cook, University of South Carolina-Columbia - Columbia, SC Tyus Edmond, University of St Thomas Amber Heidenreich, University of Wisconsin - Superior Shehrose Charania, University of Wisconsin-Madison Tavyonia Davis, University of Wisconsin-Parkside Trenton Ebel, UW Green Bay
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