Celina Dugas

Director of Veteran Services
cdugas2@central.uh.edu

Dr. Celina Dugas serves as the Director of Veteran Services at the University of Houston, where she has dedicated over a decade to championing the success of military-affiliated students. A proud U.S. Army veteran and first-generation Latina college graduate, Dr. Dugas brings more than 20 years of experience in social work, higher education, and student affairs.

She is the visionary behind the AIMS (Academic Integration for Military-Affiliated Scholars) program, an evidence-based initiative designed to enhance academic success, social integration, and holistic support for veterans and their families. Under her leadership, UH Veteran Services has evolved into a thriving, high-impact support center recognized for innovative programming, strong campus partnerships, and an unwavering commitment to student success.

Dr. Dugas holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in social work and has earned a doctorate in Higher Education Leadership from Sam Houston State University, with a research focus on equity in postsecondary readiness. Her professional mission is rooted in service, advocacy, and ensuring that no military-affiliated student is left behind.

When she is not in the office, Dr. Dugas is a proud Air Force wife of 25 years and a devoted mother of four, including two college students and a set of twins who keep her busy. She brings both deep professional expertise and lived experience to her role, grounding her leadership in empathy, resilience, and purpose.

Lakeshia Villegas

Assistant Director
lrvilleg@central.uh.edu

LaKeshia Villegas is a proud Houston native and U.S. Navy veteran with a deep commitment to serving the military-affiliated community. As a former student veteran at LSU, she brings firsthand insight into the transition from military service to higher education. LaKeshia is passionate about helping veterans navigate their academic journey and believes in creating your own path, no matter the obstacles. Outside of work, she enjoys yoga, meditation, caring for her plants, training for triathlons with her husband, and spending time with her XL Bully, Duke. She’s also a proud mom supporting a college student and a soon-to-be high school graduate.  

Aaron Strauther

Program Manager II

Hello team, I'm Aaron Strauther, the new Program Manager II for the Veteran Services Department. I bring years of experience in veteran services, student outreach, and program coordination, most recently serving as the Veteran Services & Outreach Coordinator at the University of Houston–Clear Lake. A proud alumnus of Texas Southern University, I hold a Master’s degree in Professional Communications and Digital Media and a Bachelor’s in Radio, Television, and Film. Throughout my career, I’ve led strategic outreach efforts, managed student engagement programs, and served as a VA Certifying Official. I’m eager to learn, collaborate, and contribute to our mission of supporting veterans and their dependents.

Stephen Netzley

Program Manager I

Stephen Netzley is a proud U.S. military veteran and first-generation college graduate who now serves as the AIMS Counselor for Veteran Services at the University of Houston. Having earned two degrees while navigating the challenges of higher education as a first-gen student, Stephen brings deep empathy and lived experience to his role. He is passionate about supporting military-affiliated students as they transition into academic life, offering guidance grounded in understanding, resilience, and purpose. Through one-on-one coaching and structured support, Stephen helps students define their goals, access key resources, and build fulfilling paths beyond their service.