A Navy veteran, Dan Triplett (B.S.Ed. ’26) transitioned to college life from the military to study social studies education. In his time at UGA, he received the 2024 Student Veterans Leadership Award from G.I. Jobs Magazine, served as a Berkman Scholar, and held leadership roles in the university’s Student Veterans Association.
- Hometown: Middleburg, Florida
- Degree objective and graduation date: B.S.Ed. in social studies education, spring 2026
Before attending UGA, I served in the U.S. Navy for eight years as an aircraft catapult operator aboard an aircraft carrier.
What made you choose to attend UGA, and what was your experience transitioning from serving in the military to becoming a college student?
I chose UGA largely because of my wife’s encouragement—she gave me the confidence to apply when I wasn’t sure I was qualified. I’ve also been a lifelong Bulldog fan, having been born in Dallas, Georgia.
Transitioning from the Navy to college life was certainly a challenge. I left the service in October 2022 and began at UGA that January. Moving from a highly structured environment, where every part of my day was planned, to the independence of college required a major adjustment. However, my experiences at UGA have been transformative. This university has helped me grow as a person and a husband, and it has given me the tools and confidence to succeed in my next career, whatever that may be.
What organizations are you involved with on campus?
I’ve been deeply involved with the Student Veterans Association (SVA), serving as vice president from 2023-24 and president from 2024-25. Leading the SVA, which now includes over 400 student veterans, gave me valuable experience in event planning, correspondence, and leadership development.
I also served as a Berkman Scholar, coordinating outreach and advocacy initiatives for student veterans while advising both peers and university partners in Student Affairs. These roles have strengthened my ability to foster inclusive, supportive communities within higher education.
Tell me about your work with the Student Veteran Oral History Project (SVOH). When did you record your interview, and what was it like to share your experience for the project?
I recorded my interview for the SVOH in spring 2023, and it was a powerful, almost therapeutic experience to share my story. Later, I worked for a semester at the Russell Special Collections Library, where I translated and indexed interviews for the SVOH collection. It was rewarding to contribute to a project that preserves veterans’ stories and supports future historical research.
Why did you choose to pursue social studies education as your major?
I’ve always had a deep love of history, and before coming to UGA I spent time coaching youth soccer. Combining my passion for history with my love for mentoring and teaching made social studies education the perfect fit.
What are your plans following graduation?
After completing my B.S.Ed., I plan to continue into the M.Ed. program in social studies education through the Double Dawgs program. I hope to build a career either teaching history at the middle or high school level or working in higher education, ideally here at UGA. My wife, who works with UGA Air Force ROTC, and I have made Athens our home, and after years of moving in the Navy, we’re excited to finally put down roots here.