Shawn Banzhaf is a U.S. Army veteran, author, and advocate for military and student veterans. He currently serves as the Director of the Military and Veteran Success Center at the University of Nebraska Omaha, where he leads initiatives to support veterans’ academic and personal success. Banzhaf is known for his dedication to mentorship, suicide prevention, and community engagement.
Banzhaf served in the Army National Guard for 21 years, including a deployment to Iraq, where he earned the Combat Action Badge and the Bronze Star Medal. After retiring from the military, he became a police officer and later transitioned to higher education, focusing on veteran support services.
He is the author of The Five Ls: The Gift of a Balanced Life, a book that draws on his experiences to offer guidance on resilience, leadership, and personal growth. Banzhaf is a frequent speaker on topics such as mental health, leadership, and veteran transition, and he has been recognized for his work with several awards, including the University of Nebraska’s Outstanding Contribution to Student Life Award.
Banzhaf holds a master’s degree in counseling and is a certified QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) suicide prevention instructor. He is committed to empowering veterans and their families, fostering a sense of belonging, and promoting holistic well-being in the communities he serves.
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