UNF mechanical engineering major and U.S. Navy veteran named UNF Student Veteran of the Year

U.S. Navy veteran Nick Cochran, a senior studying mechanical engineering, has been named the University of North Florida's 2025 Student Veteran of the Year, recognizing his exceptional academic achievements, leadership and service.

Cochran, a Jacksonville native, served in the U.S. Navy from 2014 to 2022 as a nuclear machinist's mate, operating and maintaining nuclear propulsion systems aboard aircraft carriers and submarines. While serving aboard the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln, he traveled more than 250,000 miles, including two deployments to the Persian Gulf and South China Sea. He was also an instructor at the Navy Nuclear Power Training Unit in Charleston, where he trained sailors in operating submarine nuclear power plants. Certified by the Department of Energy and graduating in the top 10% of his class, Cochran comes from a long legacy of military service, stretching across at least four generations.

After leaving the Navy, he chose to pursue a bachelor's in mechanical engineering at UNF, citing the University's strong engineering program, proximity to family and the exceptional support he received from the University's Military and Veterans Resource Center (MVRC).

"I was still stationed in San Diego and emailing the Veterans Center here on campus, asking them about how to use my VA education benefits," he said. "They were always helpful and responsive, and that kind of cemented my decision to come here to UNF."

UNF faculty set program apart

Now on track to graduate summa cum laude in Spring 2026, Cochran is simultaneously completing a second degree in nuclear engineering technology through Excelsior University. He credits his academic success to the dedication of UNF's faculty, particularly Dr. Osama Jadaan, professor of mechanical engineering and an ABET program evaluator, for his mentorship and dedication to student success.

"Dr. Jadaan always speaks so highly of UNF's engineering program," Cochran said. "He says we offer courses that go beyond accreditation requirements, and that sets UNF apart. I'm very thankful for him and the program here."

Jadaan shared that the feeling is mutual, noting that Cochran's curiosity and drive make him stand out among his peers.

"Nick is the student every professor dreams of having in their class," said Jadaan. "He is a critical thinker who engages deeply with complex material and isn't afraid to tackle the tough questions I pose to identify who I would like to recruit for research. In my many years of teaching, he easily ranks among the top five percent of students I've ever taught."

Career Services lead to hands-on experiences

Throughout his time at UNF, Cochran has participated in every on-campus career fair and credits the University's professional resources, including the Handshake platform, for helping him secure multiple internships. His impressive resume includes engineering internships with Bacardi as a facilities maintenance engineer, Medtronic as a research and development engineer and Evans General Contractors as a project manager, estimator and superintendent.

Currently, Cochran and his senior design team are collaborating with Johnson & Johnson to optimize a cell therapy platform for blood cancer treatment through UNF's Osprey Design Experience program.

In addition to his academic and professional success, Cochran has worked as a Veterans Affairs work-study student at the MVRC for three years, helping more than 2,200 military-connected students navigate their education benefits.

"Nick has been an outstanding member of our team for the past three years," said Bill Cousins, director of the MVRC. "He consistently demonstrates the same excellence in the classroom, maintaining a 3.97 GPA in mechanical engineering at UNF. His academic achievements, leadership and commitment to helping other military-connected students are exactly why he was selected as UNF's Student Veteran of the Year."

Cochran was honored at the UNF Veteran Tribute on Friday, Nov. 7, alongside the 2025 Staff Veteran of the Year, Delores Irvin, and Faculty Veteran of the Year, Dr. Terrie Galanti.

Looking ahead, Cochran is considering several career paths, including returning to government service, working in the medical device industry or reentering the nuclear energy field. Regardless of where his career leads, Cochran remains grateful for the community and opportunities he's found at UNF and is committed to using his skills to make a meaningful impact.