Candace M.
Terry

Summary

I lead strategic initiatives that connect policy, funding, and program design to improve outcomes for veterans and military-affiliated communities. Most recently, I secured $20 million in federal grants to build a state-of-the-art ROTC facility and authored the legislative strategy that grew South Carolina's veteran services budget from $700,000 to multimillion-dollar appropriations. With a Master of Social Work and fluency in Russian and Farsi, I bring a systems-level approach to advocacy, coalition building, and organizational development.

Impact

Experience

1. 2024-2026

   Executive Director

   University of South Carolina · Columbia, SC

   • Secured $20M in HUD grant funding through strategic planning, proposal development, and stakeholder collaboration to support future construction of a state-of-the-art ROTC facility.
   • Advanced institutional military and Veteran student success initiatives by guiding policy development, service delivery models, and equity-focused programs supporting military-affiliated populations.
   • Strengthened Veteran transition, retention, and graduation outcomes by building strategic partnerships with state agencies, military installations, nonprofit organizations, and community coalitions.
   • Developed and executed university’s first data-driven Veteran engagement strategy, improving student persistence, reducing course withdrawals, and aligning support programs with academic risk indicators.

2. 2022-2024

   Government Affairs Specialist

   USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) · Washington, D.C.

   • Elevated federal-state collaboration for invasive species management by leading multi-state Mormon cricket roundtables, aligning legislative stakeholders, agencies, and community partners to improve funding coordination, treatment planning, and agricultural protection.
   • Improved legislative accuracy and regulatory alignment by reviewing and refining federal agricultural legislation, ensuring policy consistency and adherence to established objectives.
   • Advanced APHIS legislative priorities by formulating strategic Farm Bill language and policy recommendations, influencing agricultural regulatory initiatives and shaping federal policy direction.
   • Strengthened constituent engagement outcomes across thousands of communities by delivering responsive support to congressional offices nationwide, resolving agricultural policy inquiries and addressing priority concerns.

3. 2020-2022

   Government Affairs Director

   South Carolina Department of Veterans Affairs · Columbia, SC

   • Resolved 7 years of stalled legislation by leading legislative advocacy campaigns, resulting in exemption of military retirement pay from South Carolina state taxes.
   • Secured a $10M DOJ Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) grant to expand Veterans Treatment Courts, strengthening statewide implementation efforts and building legislative stakeholder support.
   • Advised Secretary of Veterans’ Affairs on legislative affairs, stakeholder relations, and political strategy, advancing Veteran-focused initiatives and aligning statewide policy priorities with agency objectives.
   • Developed and executed SCDVA’s first Government Affairs Strategic Plan, establishing an advocacy framework centered on legislative engagement, policy reform, equitable access, and sustainable Veteran services.

4. 2016-2020

   President

   Student Veterans of America, USC Chapter · Columbia, SC

   • Established Department of Veterans & Military Affairs with dedicated staff, resources, and governance structures by cultivating strategic partnerships and securing executive sponsorship to transform fragmented veteran services into a centralized institutional framework.
   • Achieved sustainable veteran service operations by leading a multiyear transformation initiative, converting informal support model into a fully established department with dedicated facilities, operational processes, governance frameworks, and long-term scalability.
   • Contributed to fundraising initiatives supporting over $2M in institutional funding by advocating for students, strengthening stakeholder engagement, and advancing university priorities.
   • Enhanced institutional visibility and reinforced reputation as a premier military-supportive university by executing a strategic framework focused on attracting, retaining, and supporting military-affiliated students.

Skills

Education and certifications

Service record

Branch

U.S. Navy

Rank

E-5

Years served

2002 – 2010

Specialty / MOS

CTI