Honoring Those Who Serve: How Veterans Strengthen the National Louis University Community

Honoring Those Who Serve: How Veterans Strengthen the National Louis University Community

Every year on November 11, Veterans Day gives our nation an opportunity to recognize the courage, sacrifice, and service of the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. At National Louis University, it is also a time to celebrate the veteran and military-connected students, faculty, staff, and alumni who continue to lead, serve, and inspire long after their military careers have ended.

Veterans bring far more than military experience to the classroom. They bring resilience, leadership, discipline, problem-solving skills, and a deep commitment to serving others. These qualities enrich the NLU community and help create learning environments where students from all backgrounds can thrive.

Today, NLU proudly serves 295 military-connected students, including veterans, active-duty service members, and military family members. Of those students, 68 identify as Hispanic or Latino, representing approximately 23% of NLU's military student population.

Additionally, 122 military-connected students benefit from NLU's Community Heroes Scholarship, which helps make higher education more accessible. Across the university, 258 students receive the scholarship, including 136 students who are not military-connected, reflecting NLU's broader commitment to supporting individuals who serve and strengthen their communities.

For many veterans, earning a degree is not just about advancing a career. It is about building a new chapter in life after military service.

Finding a New Mission Through Education

For Anthony Garcia, an Army veteran who served 15 years in military information technology, the transition to civilian life came sooner than expected.

Garcia was medically retired after sustaining injuries during his military service. Like many veterans, he found himself navigating an unfamiliar world and searching for a new path forward.

"I was not prepared to leave the Army at that time," Garcia said. "I was just trying to find my way in this new world that I was not prepared to be a part of just yet."

After exploring careers in fitness and later healthcare, Garcia completed NLU's Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) program. Today, he is pursuing a bachelor's degree in Business Administration through NLU's accelerated LE3 program while working full-time as a medical practice manager.

In fact, Garcia is now earning his second credential at NLU, continuing his educational journey with the goal of advancing his leadership and management skills.

"So far, I feel really good," he said. "They're really preparing people for the business world through this program, and I have no complaints whatsoever."

For Garcia, flexibility has been critical. He credits NLU with making it possible to balance school, work, and family responsibilities while continuing to build his future.

"Time is going to pass anyway," Garcia said. "You might as well start now. In three years, you'll have a bachelor's degree instead of wondering where the time went."

From Military Service to Higher Education Leadership

For Dr. Rodney Ho, service has been a lifelong commitment.

Originally from Hawaii, Ho joined the U.S. Air Force at age 19 and went on to serve for 26 years, including deployments around the world and an assignment in Okinawa, Japan. During his military career, he became a physician assistant and later helped lead one of the military's first psychiatric physician assistant programs.

After retiring from the Air Force in 2024, Ho was faced with a challenge familiar to many veterans.

"When you get out of the military, you feel like you no longer belong to a greater purpose or a team," he said. "You feel like you're kind of thrown into the wind."

Instead, Ho discovered a new mission through education.

(Rodney Ho)

Already holding a Ph.D., he enrolled in NLU's Doctor of Education in Counseling program to further develop his expertise and pursue a career in higher education. Today, he serves as an Assistant Professor of Counseling at NLU, helping prepare the next generation of mental health professionals.

"Education provides a lot of opportunities and opens doors," Ho said. "It has been part of my journey throughout my military career and beyond."

Ho credits NLU's flexible online learning environment, supportive faculty, and strong communication with helping him successfully transition from military service to academia.

"Every person that I spoke with throughout the process was communicative every step of the way," he said. "If they didn't know the answer, they found the answer for you."

Supporting Those Who Served

NLU recognizes that transitioning from military service to civilian life often comes with unique challenges. That's why the university's military and veteran support services provide comprehensive, wrap-around assistance for student veterans, active-duty service members, and military families.

Services include:

• Assistance navigating VA and military education benefits.
• Academic advising and degree planning.
• Credit for military training and experience.
• Career development and employment resources.
• Veteran peer support and networking opportunities.
• Access to scholarships and financial assistance.
• Connections to community resources and veteran services.

These resources help veterans translate their military experience into academic and professional success while ensuring they have the support needed to achieve their goals.

For Garcia, that support made a significant difference.

(Anthony Garcia)

"They helped me get everything lined up with my benefits and ensured everything was covered so I could start school," he said.

For Ho, the veteran support system reinforced his decision to choose NLU.

"I would start with the NLU veteran office," he said when asked what advice he would give fellow veterans. "Veterans supporting veterans is probably the best approach because we understand each other and have been through similar experiences."

A Community Enriched by Service

The impact of veterans at NLU extends far beyond enrollment numbers. They are students, faculty members, mentors, leaders, and role models who strengthen the university community every day.

Their experiences bring valuable perspectives into classrooms, inspire fellow students, and demonstrate the power of lifelong learning.

This Veterans Day, National Louis University proudly recognizes the service and sacrifices of all veterans while celebrating the many ways they continue to shape our campuses, classrooms, and communities.

As Garcia's and Ho's stories demonstrate, military service may end, but the commitment to growth, leadership, and service continues.

And at NLU, veterans remain an essential part of that mission.

Thank you to all veterans for your service. Happy Veterans Day from National Louis University.