Meet the Staff

Jon Baldessari

Director, Veterans Resource Center

jon.baldessari@miami.edu

(305) 284-8719
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Jon is the inaugural director of the Veterans Resource Center, which includes overseeing all aspects of programs and initiatives for the academic and professional success of veteran and military-connected students. Additionally, he advises the Veteran Students Organization (VSO) and works with a representative advisory board to support veteran...
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Student Staff

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Garrett Graham

Graduate Assistant

Garrett is the inaugural Graduate Assistant at the Veterans Resource Center. Originally from Tallahassee, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Florida with a double major in Political Science and History. He is currently in his third year (3L) at the UM School of Law where he is a member of the Veteran Law Student Society (Treasurer) as well as the Military & National Security Law Society (President). In August of 2021, Garrett completed Officer Candidates School and accepted a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps. Upon graduation and passing the bar exam, he will be placed on active duty as a judge advocate.

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Mackensie DeBello

Student Assistant

Mackensie is an undergraduate Student Assistant in the Veterans Resource Center. She is a senior from Dallas, Texas, and is majoring in marketing and minoring in advertising with a goal of being able t use her degree to improve the quality of life for underrepresented people. She is currently a member of various student organizations on campus, including Alpha Lambda Delta, the American Marketing Association, United Black Students, the African Student Union, Elevate Fashion, and the Luxury Fashion Club. She also works as a First Year Fellow where she assists first-year residents by providing them resources and organizing events.

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Sofia Noonan

Student Assistant

Sofia is an undergraduate Student Assistant in the Veterans Resource Center. Sofia is originally from Miami and grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina. She will be graduating from the University in the spring of 2026. SHe is currently working on her B.S.C. in Media Management at the School of Communications, with two minors in Business Law and Marine Policy. She is involved in the pre-law community, Student Government, and environmental awareness organizations at UM. Following her undergraduate career, she plans to continue her higher education and study law.