Contact Us

Matthew D Watkins

Director of Military & Veteran Success
US Air Force Veteran

Phone: 985-549-3285
Cell: 561-248-7170
matthew.watkins-2@southeastern.edu

A five-year U.S. Air Force veteran, Matt was stationed at Ft. Meade, Maryland where he worked as a signal’s intelligence collector for the National Security Agency. Matt started his VA benefits career at the University of South Alabama Veteran Affairs Office as a VA educational assistant. He worked for four years at the university assisting veterans with their GI Bill ® benefits and eventually provided training to all the South Alabama VA Work-Study students. In 2014, Matt accepted the veteran affairs officer position at Faulkner State Community College in Bay Minette, Alabama. He expanded the office to include two additional officers, started a VA Work-Study program, and ran an additional office assisting veterans with community resources. In January 2017, Matt was hired as the district level coordinator of the Veteran Affairs department for Palm Beach State College. He built a top 10 nationally recognized program for two straight years. In Sept 2019 Matt was hired on as the Director of Office of Military & Veteran Success. He earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Mobile and received a master’s degree in business administration from the University of North Alabama.

Francesca Reyes 

Administrative Coordinator
Student Veteran Association Vice-President

Hi, my name is Frannie Reyes, and I'm a Senior Psychology and Criminal Justice major here at Southeastern. I've worked in the Office of Military and Veteran Success since June 2020, and am now working full-time as the Administrative Coordinator for the office. I'm Vice-President of the Student Veteran Association and am heavily involved on campus in many other organizations as well! I was not in the service, but I am a proud Army brat of a 20-year veteran. After I graduate, I plan on attending graduate school and eventually going into the FBI as a criminal profiler.

Caleb McDonald

Veteran Ambassador

My name is Caleb McDonald. I’m currently 27 years old and an Art Major. I served 4 years in the United States Marine Corps as an Artillery Cannoneer. I was in from 2013-2017. While in, I got the chance to go to Okinawa, South Korea, Tokyo, and Australia. After I got out, I went to work for my dad doing construction work and I did some retail work as well. I look forward to helping you out as best I can.

Jordan B. Hotard

Veteran Ambassador

A four-year U.S. Marine Veteran, Jordan completed his basic training at Marine Corp Recruit Depot San Diego in 2015. He then subsequently attended Marine Combat Training at the School of Infantry - West. He then attended Military occupational training at Camp Johnson, North Carolina earning of MOS of 3043 Supply Chain Management Specialist. Jordan was then stationed at Camp Pendleton, California with Combat Logistics Battalion 11. He served as a purchasing clerk for the unit and later as the purchasing manager and Platoon Sergeant. Jordan completed a deployment with 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit conducting maritime logistics overseas. Jordan's awards include: Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal. Prior to his deployment, Jordan competed for, and was selected as the Marine of the Quarter for 1st quarter 2015.  He was also selected by peers in his Corporals Course class to receive the "Gung Ho" award. Jordan is a native of St James Parish, and is a Junior pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain Management.

Michael Barber

Veteran Ambassador

Hi, my name is Michael Barber. I'm 28 years old and currently a senior Criminal Justice major. My work experience involves security, corrections, and law-enforcement patrol. I served in the US Army on active duty as a military police officer, stationed at Fort Polk, Louisiana.