Veterans Day

Professor David Chan, MD, PhD

Professor David Chan is the chair and faculty director for the Robinson Life Science, Business, and Entrepreneurship Program and an investigator at the Department of Veterans Affairs, co-director of the VA Center for Policy Evaluation, and research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. He is interested in studying how information and the workforce impact decision-making and outcomes in health care. He is currently a hospitalist at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Palo Alto. Selected research includes Is There a VA Advantage? Evidence from Dually Eligible Veterans, 

Influence and Information in Team Decisions: Evidence from Medical Residency and Industry Input in Policymaking: Evidence from Medicare, among many others.

Ethnic Studies 198: Independent Students in Higher Education - Veterans

A one credit hour P/NP class for student veterans that supports their transition to UC Berkeley by providing them with resources, helps them learn how to strategically utilize VA Education benefits, and how to navigate a new campus and culture.

UC Berkeley named top public school in the country by ‘U.S. News’; Berkeley in the top five best colleges for veterans

via Berkeley News

George Leitmann, renowned academic leader, decorated WWII veteran, dies at 99

via College of Engineering

In Remembrance, Brandon Allen: Served in the U.S. Navy from 2013 to 2022. Dedicated Electrical Engineering and Computer Science student from 2022 until his passing in 2025

via Cal Veteran Services Center

Service to Service

via Goldman School for Public Service Policy Notes

Betsy Davis

Betsy Davis served 12 years in the United States Marine Corps, including deployments to Syria in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, Japan with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and a tour as a Drill Instructor at Parris Island, SC. She is now pursuing her Master of Public Policy at UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy, where she founded Military Communities in Public Policy (MCIPP), a student group that brings together members of the military community to explore the role of military experience in shaping public policy. She is focused on building a career in public service and policy analysis.

"I see public policy as a continuation of service—strengthening the institutions people rely on every day. When I first came to Berkeley, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I’ve found a community committed to that same mission and built lasting connections that will carry me into the next phase of my career."

Purvis Gills

Purvis Gills served seven years in the United States Navy as a Disbursing Clerk, where he managed military pay and financial operations. His duty stations included NAS Roosevelt Roads in Puerto Rico, Naval Seabee Battalion, Port Hueneme, and Okinawa, Japan. His service provided him with a strong foundation in leadership, teamwork, and operational planning. After completing his military career, Purvis earned his degree in Political Science from UC Berkeley. He now works at his alma mater in the Office of the Registrar as a Veteran Certifying Official, supporting student veterans in navigating their educational benefits. Purvis is passionate about public service, higher education, and policy analysis, and remains committed to advancing opportunities and equitable access for the veteran community.

Dante Sirwet

Dante Sirwet served four years in the United States Marine Corps, holding leadership roles as an Assistant Team Leader and Company Training NCO for Charlie Company at the First Reconnaissance Battalion in Camp Pendleton. This service provided a strong foundation in small-unit leadership, operational planning, and organizational discipline. He is currently pursuing a degree in Psychology at UC Berkeley. He also serves as the current President of the Cal Veterans Group and is an active member of the Pi Sigma Epsilon business fraternity, where he has gained business skills as a prospective member trainer for two semesters and managed consulting projects for clients including Nike and American Eagle. He is currently interning at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in the Palo Alto Health Care System through the Pathways Student program, focusing on Business Administration and Management. He is preparing to apply to MBA programs and aspires to become a department director within the VA, driven by a commitment to giving back to veterans and improving the quality of care and services they receive.