Military & Veteran Services
Beattie Builds Belonging for Military-Affiliated Students at UNC Charlotte
By Micah Jordan, Communications Assistant for Student Affairs
For Elizabeth Beattie, returning to UNC Charlotte was not just a career move: It was a meaningful continuation of the personal transformation that began when she transferred to the University years ago. Now serving as the program director for outreach and engagement in Military & Veteran Services, Beattie is using her story, her energy and her heart to create a lasting impact for the students and families she serves.
Beattie’s path to Charlotte was not a straight line. She originally began her college journey at the University of Alabama, planning to pursue a degree in nursing, but something didn’t feel right.
Despite the size of the school and the activities it offered, Beattie found herself without a true sense of community. She missed the arts, especially dance, which had long been an important part of her life. She realized she needed a change.
“Charlotte was my reset,” Beattie said.
Transferring to the University gave her that fresh start. Beattie initially declared a double major in history and nursing, driven in part by a great eighth-grade teacher who sparked her love for world events. Eventually, she focused fully on History, finding joy and intellectual fulfillment in the department.
At Charlotte, Beattie also returned to her passion for dance, and to this day she remains a dance and cheer coach. She found her people, her purpose, and a deeper sense of direction. She graduated in the spring of 2020 during the midst of the pandemic.
After graduation, Beattie planned to audition for Disney, but like many plans during that time, she ultimately shifted her focus. Instead, she found herself entering the world of higher education and student support services. With a background in military recruitment and a personal connection to the military community, her transition into Military & Veteran Services felt natural.
“I’ve always been military-adjacent,” Beattie said. “I like working with this group because both the service members and their families have sacrificed so much.”
In her current role, Beattie is the voice, face and heart behind outreach efforts to prospective military-affiliated students across North Carolina and beyond. She leads a range of initiatives designed to connect individuals to the University and help them feel welcome and supported. She promotes scholarships, mentorship programs, career resources and student organizations.
“Let me show you how our office is going to take care of you,” she said, summarizing her work with the kind of pride and care that defines her approach.
Beattie’s job takes her far and wide. She travels across North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina, and other parts of the country to represent UNC Charlotte at military bases, community events, and conferences. Her work is not limited to a single program or event: Instead, Beattie talks about everything the University has to offer.
She sees herself as a connector, matching people to the right resources and mentors. Whether Beattie is tabling at an event or having one-on-one conversations with prospective students, her focus is always on building relationships and community.
“I don’t just recruit, I help people understand their benefits, how Charlotte processes them and why this school is such an efficient, supportive place,” Beattie said. “Sometimes you help someone see something they couldn’t see in themselves. That’s the most rewarding part.”
For Beattie, relationship building is both an art and a mission. She compares military bases to art museums: Beautiful, but not always easy to access. To make a real connection she finds ways to relate to each person she meets.
“People love to talk about themselves. Whether it’s sports or art or their family, there’s always something that gets the conversation going,” Beattie said.
Her high energy and genuine care makes this work come naturally, and she never feels like she is selling the school.
“I care about people using their benefits,” she said. “That’s what drives me.”
She also plays a key role in fostering a sense of community once students arrive on campus. Through mentorship programs and student organizations, Beattie helps military-affiliated students feel seen, heard and supported. Still, it’s not without challenges. One of the biggest hurdles she has faced since the pandemic is low student engagement.
“Post-COVID, people just don’t show up the same way anymore,” she explained. “We’ve had to get really creative.”
Beattie works hard to bring energy and innovation to events, whether she’s setting up tables at state-wide gatherings or supporting major events on campus. She’s always thinking ahead, excited about what’s next. Plans are underway for a large military appreciation career fair and possibly an all-military ball this November. She is also focused on expanding appreciation nights in collaboration with University Athletics and creating more community partnerships to support students through workshops and career development.
As for Beattie’s ultimate goal?
“I want UNC Charlotte to be the No. 1 destination for military-affiliated students,” she said. “We’re building something special here, and I see the vision.”