Rebecca Cossaboom, assistant director of military-affiliated supports and services and school-certifying official in Towson University's Military & Veterans Center (MVC), is a nominee for the 2026 HigherEdMilitary Spotlight Award, a national recognition honoring higher education professionals who demonstrate exceptional leadership, innovation and commitment in supporting military-affiliated students and communities.

They are selected through submissions from members of the public and stakeholders across the higher education community.

At TU, Cossaboom plays a key role in helping military-affiliated students navigate educational benefits, access campus resources and build community. Her work extends beyond traditional support services and includes efforts to ensure military-connected students and their families feel seen, valued and connected throughout their college experience.

In 2024, Cossaboom supported the creation of MVC Family & Affiliated Members (MVC FAM), a student organization designed to connect military dependents, spouses and veterans while increasing awareness of available resources and support networks. The organization was developed in response to a need identified by military-connected students seeking a stronger sense of community on campus.

As of February 2026, Cossaboom began serving a two-year term as co-chair of the Military-Connected Knowledge Community for the National Association of Student Personal Administrators (NASPA), where she’s taking on new initiatives to extend external partnerships and collaborations to bridge gaps at a national level, ensuring the needs of this special population continue to be seen and supported.

With this nomination, Cossaboom joins a national cohort of professionals recognized for advancing student success and strengthening support for military-affiliated populations in higher education. The 2026 HigherEdMilitary Spotlight Award winner will be announced in the coming weeks.

For a complete list of nominees and finalists, check out HigherEdMilitary's announcement.