UNF marketing major and U.S. Navy veteran named UNF Student Veteran of the Year

U.S. Navy veteran Ryan McAbee, a senior studying marketing in the Coggin College of Business, has been named the University of North Florida's 2026 Student Veteran of the Year, recognizing his academic achievement, leadership and commitment to serving fellow military-connected students.

A Jacksonville native and first-generation college student who grew up in Mandarin, McAbee is a proud fourth-generation military service member. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 2007 and served until 2013 as a Fleet Marine Force Hospital Corpsman, attaining the rank of Petty Officer Third Class.

"It's almost a rite of passage in my family to join the Navy," he said.

His service included a combat deployment to Iraq in 2009.

As a field medical service technician, McAbee was responsible for caring for Marines and sailors in environments ranging from routine medical treatment to life-threatening emergencies.

Post-military career

Following his military service, he briefly considered a nursing career before spending a decade working as a sales professional.

"I consider myself a salesman at heart and I've been successful at it," he said.

After earning an associate's degree from Florida State College at Jacksonville, McAbee enrolled at UNF in the summer of 2025 with encouragement from his wife, Arianne, a UNF alumna.

Today, he maintains a 3.56 GPA while pursuing a bachelor's degree in marketing with a minor in digital marketing and analytics. A recipient of several scholarships, including the Michael Ward and Jennifer Glock Foundation Scholarship and the Moorer Family Navy Veteran Scholarship, McAbee is slated to graduate in spring 2027. He also serves as a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) work-study student at the UNF Military and Veterans Resource Center (MVRC) and president of UNF's Student Veterans of America chapter.

When he's not taking courses and serving fellow Ospreys, McAbee enjoys spending time with his wife and three children: Jackson, Mabry and Duke.

Supporting military-connected students

Before enrolling at UNF, McAbee was introduced to the UNF MVRC during a campus tour and discovered the many resources it offers.

During his first semester, he applied to work at the MVRC as a VA work-study student and was hired in fall 2025.

Through his work-study role and position with Student Veterans of America, he helps military-connected students connect with resources, navigate challenges and build a sense of belonging.

"Veterans are my passion," said McAbee. "The likelihood of working for a veteran nonprofit or non-governmental organization focused on veteran initiatives and awareness is where my heart is."

That passion led MVRC leadership to honor him with the 2026 Student Veteran of the Year award at the MVRC's annual Veterans Tribute ceremony.

"Ryan McAbee exemplifies the very best of what it means to be a student veteran," said Kathy Lee Hunt, assistant director of the UNF MVRC. "He brings the same dedication, leadership and commitment to excellence in everything he does. His character, compassion and unwavering work ethic make him truly deserving of the honor of UNF Student Veteran of the Year."

McAbee said he is grateful for the support the MVRC has given him and others and is humbled by the award recognition.

"It's an incredible honor," said McAbee. "I don't think of myself as any kind of remarkable person, but to be recognized by this awesome community means a lot to me."

Shifting career focus from sales to marketing

Although he enjoyed a successful career in sales, McAbee was drawn to marketing because it offers opportunities to interpret data to discover ways to connect with people, tell meaningful stories and support causes he cares about. Those interests align closely with his long-term goal of working in marketing for a veteran-focused nonprofit organization.

Among his favorite classes at UNF is Digital Marketing Strategy with Dr. Todd Haderlie, assistant professor in the Department of Marketing and Logistics, whose industry experience has helped bring marketing concepts to life.

"Digital Marketing Strategy, which I am taking now, is a fantastic course," said McAbee. "There's a lot of hands-on work based on his experience doing digital marketing."

He particularly enjoys the course's real-world simulation activities that mirror the work marketing professionals perform every day.

"It's a very hands-on functional class that's not just about memorizing theorems," he said. "You're putting concepts into action and seeing how the market reacts to the decisions that you make."

When discussing what he likes most about the Coggin College of Business, McAbee points out the biggest highlight for him is the supportive faculty.

"The Coggin College of Business is a fantastic business school," said McAbee. "I've enjoyed all of my professors and there's a lot of real-world experience to gain at Coggin."

Overcoming Obstacles, Family Support and Future Plans

Reflecting upon his academic journey, McAbee admits he struggled academically growing up but did not allow that to deter his dream of one day earning a college degree.

"School was never easy for me. I wasn't the best student, and it's taken a lot of work to get my GPA to where it is," he said.

With support from his family and the UNF community, his dream will soon come true when he crosses the commencement stage next spring.

As he prepares for graduation, McAbee hopes to find a career that allows him to continue supporting veterans and military-connected communities. He is also considering furthering his education through UNF's MBA program, ensuring his connection to The Nest continues.

"I have a lot of pride in being an Osprey," he said.

Staff Veteran of the Year: Igor Tavuzhnyanskiy

Born in Ukraine, Tavuzhnyyanskiy immigrated with his family to the United States at age four and grew up in Brooklyn, New York. While living in NY, the events of September 11, 2001, inspired him to get involved in politics and later pursue a bachelor's degree in political science, as well as give back to the country he had come to call home.

In 2011, Tavuzhnyyanskiy enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving at Hurlburt Field in ground equipment maintenance and as a member of the Honor Guard. After completing his military service in 2014, he worked in the hospitality industry before beginning his higher education career as an advisor at Florida State College at Jacksonville. While there, he completed his Master of Science in communication management from UNF.

Today, Tavuzhnyyanskiy serves as UNF's associate director of enrollment services communications, overseeing communications that help promote UNF and guide students through the admissions process. He credits his Air Force experience with instilling a strong work ethic and commitment to service, values he continues to demonstrate through his dedication to UNF's prospective students.

Igor and his wife, Katherine, whom he met while they were both advisors in higher education, are proud members of the UNF community.

Faculty Veteran of the Year: Dr. Clarence Hines

Dr. Hines is an accomplished trombonist, composer, arranger and director of the School of Music at the University of North Florida, where he also serves as associate professor of jazz studies.

A U.S. Army veteran, Dr. Hines served from 1995 to 1999 as a military musician stationed at various bases worldwide. While stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, he completed airborne training and performed with the Army band at numerous military ceremonies. Following his military service, he used his GI Bill benefits to complete his undergraduate degree at UNF and went on to complete his master's and doctoral degrees at Eastman School of Music, Rochester, New York.

Throughout his distinguished musical career, Dr. Hines has performed with renowned artists, including John Pizzarelli, Diane Schuur and David Sanborn, as well as the Jacksonville Symphony and Grammy Award-winning 8-Bit Big Band. His compositions and arrangements have been performed nationally and internationally. A Conn-Selmer Artist, he recently released his debut jazz orchestra album, Along the Way.