NSU Director of Military Affairs Establishes Changing Lives Scholarship And Launches ROTC Greatest Needs Campaign During November’s National Veterans and Military Families Month

The military has shaped the lives of countless individuals and allows them to join an organization that’s bigger than themselves. For U.S. veteran Nicholas Pascucci, service to his country – and community – continues to be the heart of what he does.

Pascucci, who is currently the Director of Military Affairs at NSU, retired from the Coast Guard after 23 years of service.  While in the Coast Guard, Pascucci started as a rescue swimmer and worked his way up into intelligence operations, a critical area that analyzes information and helps guide the decision-making process.

As a civilian and employee at NSU, Pascucci has made it his mission to continue supporting military-related efforts. Working alongside key leaders at the university including Terry Mularkey, Chief of Staff and Vice President of University Advancement, and Kimberly Durham, Dean of the Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice, Pascucci helped launch the official NSU Army ROTC program in 2019.

Pascucci explains that leading this program and serving as the Director of Military Affairs helped in personally.

“This position helped with the barriers of transitioning back to civilian life.  It gave me a strong sense of giving back and helping military families,” said Pascucci.

Alongside his position, Pascucci established the Nick and Bridgette Pascucci Changing Lives Scholarship to support ROTC students at NSU. After researching ways to give back to students who are looking to join and be enlisted in the military, he found out about NSU’s Changing Lives Scholarships program, which allows donors to choose a specific college or program to support, and also officially name the scholarship.

“If I can play an active role in a student’s military career, it’s such a cool way to give back. I actually have two people who started a Changing Lives Scholarship who have family that they’re honoring. When you do something unselfish, you’re looking to share something that made you feel good. People want to help our service members and fulfill their dreams by continuing their education,” added Pascucci.

Pascucci feels that NSU’s research and ROTC program embodies the same values that he has followed ever since joining the military.

“My ethics aligned with NSU’s integrity toward the military. They research for our veterans, and focus on PTSD and mindfulness. I’m very involved with donating to their research or helping get community partners,” he said.

Pascucci has made it his mission to give back to the community and is actively searching for others who’d like to contribute to incoming ROTC students’ educations at NSU. As part of his legacy, Pascucci wishes to help those who are less fortunate in terms of finances while also serving fellow military members around him.

“One of the things is, I want to make sure I can do whatever I can to ease the financial burden of someone who wants to serve. I’ve been lucky to get my education paid for with tuition assistance and NSU discounts to the military.”

Pascucci welcomes any partnerships from likeminded individuals who want to support military and veterans-related efforts at NSU. Especially during November’s National Veterans and Military Families Month, he also encourages supporters to make a contribution to the NSU Army ROTC’s Greatest Needs campaign.