Meet Team OMI

Dr. Geri Lynn Maples is a professor at Miami University and a dedicated leader in the military and Veteran community. With over 20 years of experience as a military spouse and caregiver to her husband Robert, who served in both the United States Army and Ohio National Guard, Geri Lynn has a unique understanding of the challenges faced by military and Veteran families. She has used her personal journey to inspire and support others, becoming a leading voice in the Ohio region for those who support the military community.

As a leader among the military and Veteran community at a National level, Geri Lynn has made it her mission to assist these families in navigating the unique challenges of military and Veteran life. In this capticity, she has made significant contributions to the this community, serving as a mentor and resource. Geri Lynn's leadership skills and expertise have also been recognized at the state and federal levels, where she served as the 2020 Elizabeth Dole Fellow for Ohio and the Vice Chair of the Strategic Ohio Council on Higher Education (SOCHE) Veterans Committee.

Geri Lynn's commitment to the military community is evident in her doctoral dissertation, which was dedicated to raising awareness of the educational needs of military spouses, caregivers, and dependent children. Her work has been published as a book by Barnes & Noble and is widely regarded as a valuable resource for military families. As a professor at Miami University, Geri Lynn continues to share her knowledge and experience, inspiring and empowering her students to become leaders in their own right. Through her professional and personal experiences, Geri Lynn has become a strong advocate for the military and Veteran community, offering support and guidance to those who need it the most.

Meet Emily! She was just 5 years of age when her father left to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom and turned 7 years old days after he returned home. Growing up, Emily experienced the medical challenges associated with her father’s service; Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, and the numerous medical ailments that accompanied the two signature wounds of war. 

Emily is a 2016 graduate of Middletown Christian Schools and a 2019 Miami University Graduate with a double major in Psychological Science and Applied Social Research. She went on to graduate from Southern New Hampshire University with a Masters in Psychology and is currently pursuing a Doctorate Degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology.  Through her experiences as a Military Dependent Child and her pursuit of Psychological studies, Emily looks forward to working with and supporting military families.