Greg Pelts
Director of Veteran Resource Center
Veterans & Military Resource Center
Email: gpelts1@uca.edu
Office: SSVRC West Wing
Phone: 501-852-2999
Gregory L. Pelts, known as Greg, is the Director of the Veterans and Military Resource Center at the University of Central Arkansas (UCA). Greg holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of Arkansas and is completing a BA in History from UCA.
Greg is a 32-year veteran of the United States Army, having served as both an enlisted Soldier and a Commissioned Officer. His military career spans the Active Duty Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve, retiring in 2018 after 22 years of Active Duty. He received his Commission as an Infantry Officer from the University of Arkansas’ ROTC program in 1990.
Throughout his distinguished career, Lieutenant Colonel Pelts deployed twice, first as part of Peace Keeping Operations in the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt and later in Combat Operations in Iraq. He has held numerous positions of increasing responsibility, including commanding at the Company and Battalion levels and overseeing up to 800 personnel. Greg is a recipient of the Combat Infantry Badge, the Bronze Star, the Legion of Merit, and numerous other awards and decorations, underscoring his exemplary service.
Greg’s commitment to the Veterans and Military Resource Center is unwavering. Since joining UCA in January 2022, he has served as its Director, bringing his extensive military experience to the role. His proudest military achievements include leading U.S. Soldiers and surviving combat operations in Iraq while aiding the Iraqi people in transitioning to a democratic government. At UCA, Greg has overseen the transition of the Veterans Office into the new Veterans Center and established programs to support student veterans and military-connected students toward success.
Greg’s vision for the Veterans and Military Resource Center is ambitious and inspiring. He aims to build on the programs already started, establishing UCA as having the best military-connected student program in the state. His goal is to lay a solid foundation for the program to ensure its longevity and success, inspiring others to follow his lead.
Greg defines success as assisting student veterans in their transition from military to civilian life, increasing their enrollment, and achieving their degree completion. He finds inspiration in making a positive impact on the lives of student veterans, helping them navigate their academic and personal journeys.
Outside of his professional life, Greg has diverse interests. He enjoys scuba diving, hiking, camping, adventure travel, and studying history. These activities add excitement and balance to his life, reflecting his adventurous spirit and love for learning.
Looking to the future, Greg envisions the Veterans and Military Resource Center’s staff increasing from one to two full-time employees and the military-connected student population supported by the center increasing by 25% since January 2022. He advises students to stay the course, reminding them of their proven worth as outstanding citizens from their successful military careers and encouraging them to continue striving for excellence.
Greg’s guiding principle is that it is not enough to do the right thing; one must do the right thing for the right reason. This philosophy underscores his commitment to integrity and service in his military career and his role at UCA.