Veterans Staff

(567) 661-VETS (8387) or vets@owens.edu


GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Sharron Pappas

Sharron Pappas, M.A.
Manager, Veterans Services

Hi. My name is Sharron Pappas. I am a Navy Veteran, a wife, a mom, a grandma, a dog lover, an artist and an avid shopper, among other things, and I am pleased to say I am also the Manager of Veterans Services at Owens Community College. I am passionate about helping our military and veteran students obtain the education they need, while they are attending Owens Community College. I am also passionate for our military and veteran students to have a good experience at Owens and to be able to use the veterans benefits they worked so hard to get.

I completed my boot camp in Orlando, Florida. I remember it being very hot, and we were made to wear long-sleeved shirts. From there I went to Meridian, Mississippi for my “A” School. My rate in the Navy was Aviation Maintenance Administration, or AZ, which is a fancy name for a person who performed a variety of clerical, administrative and managerial duties, including such tasks as scheduling and issuing aircraft inspections, keeping track of trends in aircraft system reliability, preparing reports and correspondence, performing database analysis, and maintaining engine and aircraft logs and records. After “A” school, I went to Kingsville, Texas to a T2-C Squadron where we trained pilots to fly. I went to various other locations while I was on active duty, such as San Diego, California, and Jacksonville, Florida. When my active duty ended, I moved home to Ohio.

I spent two years in the Navy Reserves, doing my training in a DC-9 Squadron on Selfridge Air Force Base in Michigan (they had a Naval Air presence at that time). I liked it so much I re-enlisted in the Naval Reserves for a couple more years, before getting out of the military altogether. I really enjoyed my time in the Navy. I met many great people, and I still keep in touch with some of them today. I learned a lot about life, diversity and teamwork. I wouldn’t trade my time in the military for anything.

I have been very fortunate to be able to use my administrative skills in the civilian world, working primarily in an office setting. Like many members of the service who get out of the military, I was a non-traditional student. I started attending a local college when I moved home to Ohio, but I got a good position at a hospital, so I stopped going to school. Instead, I raised my family and worked. Sound familiar? I decided to return to school years later. I ended up graduating from Owens with an Office Administration Technology degree, and an Associate of Arts General Concentration degree. I went on to the University of Toledo for my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. I share all this to let you know it is never too late to go to school and take the courses you want to take, to help you become the person you want to be.

I started working in the Bursar’s office at Owens, and then became a Student Financial Services Advisor. I have enjoyed all the years at Owens. Being the Manager of Veterans Services is the position I like the best. By helping military and veteran students, and giving back to them, I feel like I have come full circle into the place I need to be. Please know that you are always welcome to stop by or call Veteran Services during office hours. We have many events planned and we would love for you to be a part of them.


Daphne Kinkade

Daphne Kinkade
Processor, Veterans Services

My name is Daphne Kinkade; I am the new Processor for Veterans Services. I am a graduate of Owens Community College. I am looking forward to working with veterans and their families. Having worked within Student Services and Testing Services, I will bring my experience to assist Veterans Services.

My father and father-in-law were both in the service, one was in the Army and the other was in the Marines.

I have been married for 26 years to my husband Chris; we have one son Wyatt. We are all graduates of Owens Community College. My hobbies are genealogy, crocheting blankets, and reading. I enjoy watching both college and professional football.

I have worked in retail most of my life. When the last retail store I worked at closed, my husband told me I had nothing holding me back from going to college and earning a degree. I started as a student worker in the Student Service Center, then became a staff member with the Student Services. While working full-time, I was able to complete my degree in Medical Office Support. With the knowledge that I have learned during my time as a student and an employee at Owens, I will be able to better assist the Veterans and their families by processing the veterans benefits in a timely manner.

I am looking forward to having events in Veterans Services so that I will be able to meet and talk to veterans and their families.