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PSC’s Abe Clark, director, Veteran and Military Family Service Center, has received the Florida Association of Veterans Education Specialists RYSE Award for his commitment to excellence in veteran education.
PSC’s Abe Clark receives recognition for 10 years of excellence in veteran education
Abe Clark, director, Veteran and Military Family Service Center at Pensacola State College, has been recognized by the Florida Association of Veterans Education Specialists for 10 years of service as a FAVES school certifying official. The organization’s RYSE Award, presented to Clark on June 1 for his commitment to excellence in veteran education, states that his “dedication to accuracy, compliance, and service ensures that student veterans receive the educational benefits they have earned.”
A military veteran himself, Clark joined PSC as the veteran services coordinator in 2012 and has played a key role in expanding the college’s Veterans Affairs department and services.
From initial planning in 2023 to completion in 2025, Clark was involved in the remodeling and service expansion of the renamed Veteran and Military Family Service Center to support the department’s broadened mission to serve and support not only veterans and active-duty military, but also their families.
During the Spring 2026 term, more than 750 military spouses and dependents were enrolled at PSC. Clark and his team at the VMFSC assist them in understanding and applying for benefits such as MyCAA-approved programs (authorized for the Military Spouse Career Advancement Account Scholarship program), in-state tuition for spouses using VA benefits, and other military-specific programs and services.
“Not only are we doing something that helps our veterans and their families, but it also helps them to know that they’ve got people with military connections helping them through the process,” said Clark.
Clark has spent his entire career in service to the military — first as a service member and then in service to others who serve or have served.
“I grew up in Dearborn, Mich., and turned 18 in Navy boot camp in 1989,” said Clark, who worked his way up to chief petty officer in 2006 and retired in 2011. “I then moved to Pensacola to be near family.”
He was promoted to director, Veteran and Military Family Service Center, in January 2025.
“I love my team and what has become my second career,” he said. “Transitioning from the military to supporting the military community has been extremely fulfilling, and I look forward to what the next decade here brings.”
Clark has one child, Curtis, 24, who recently started a career at Delta Airlines. At home, he has four rescue pets — two cats and two dogs — and enjoys superhero movies, British detective shows, gaming, collecting comic books and DYI home improvements.
“Using social media to learn how to repair my refrigerator and having the repair actually work was quite satisfying,” he said.
He most enjoys, however, the feeling he gets when people thank him and his staff for their encouragement and assistance.
“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t love it. It makes me proud that I can provide that continued service and knowledge to the college and our community,” he said. “I really appreciate both the college and the FAVES organization for the opportunity and for recognizing my time of service. It does not feel like I’ve been here for that long — not even a little.”