Service to School Stories

What does it take to build a career in consulting after military service? In this follow-up conversation, Alex Dawson returns to the Service to School Stories podcast to share how his journey evolved from pursuing an MBA to launching a career in consulting. Drawing on his own experiences, Alex offers an inside look at the consulting industry and what veterans need to know to successfully navigate...

Four years ago, Terren Wise joined the S2S Stories podcast shortly after being accepted to Brown University, sharing his excitement for the journey ahead. Now, as he prepares to graduate with an engineering degree, Terren returns to reflect on how that journey unfolded and the experiences that shaped him along the way. In this full-circle conversation, Terren shares what he learned transitioning f...

Is community college the right path for veterans pursuing a college degree? In this episode, admissions leaders from Vassar College and Princeton University discuss the realities of community college as a pathway to highly selective institutions, challenging common misconceptions and offering practical guidance for veterans navigating the transfer process. The conversation explores how admissions...

In this episode, student veteran Kyle Keen shares his journey from military service to Stanford University and reflects on the challenges and opportunities that come with transitioning to college as a veteran. From navigating a new academic environment to finding his place on campus, Kyle discusses the experiences that shaped his path and the lessons he learned along the way. The conversation expl...

What does it mean to find community as a woman veteran in higher education? In this episode, Haley Champion and Susan McLernon, co-founders of the Princeton Women's Veterans Group, share their journeys from military service to the classrooms of Princeton and the experiences that shaped their transitions along the way. Together, they discuss the unique challenges and opportunities women veteran...

Many veterans focus on getting into college, but one of the most important steps toward a successful civilian career happens while you're still a student. In this episode, Whitney Cason sits down with Mike Brown, Army veteran and Director of The Prince Family Veterans Resource Center at Villanova University, to discuss why internships can be a game-changer for student veterans transitioning fr...

What happens when a veteran returns to school after years away from the classroom? Shifting gears to balancing work, life responsibilities, and the pressure of starting over sound familiar? In this episode, Chris Gregory shares his journey from community college student to competitive applicant for top universities like Massachusetts Institute of Technology and University of California, Berkeley....

In this episode, Emma chats with Marina Varela, manager of the Student Veteran Resource Center at Diablo Valley College, about how community colleges can provide veterans with a strong foundation for higher education through personalized support, transfer pathways, and veteran-focused resources. She discusses the important role Veteran Resource Centers (VRCs) play in helping student veterans build...

In this episode, Sydney Matthes and Annie Behari from Service to School discuss how military service members and veterans can prepare for higher education. They cover college application timelines & nuances specific to veterans, evaluating schools based on military benefits and goals, using tuition assistance and transfer credits effectively, storytelling strategies to maximize college admissi...

In this episode of  Service to School Stories , Emma Parish, Director of Student Advising, sits down with S2S applicant & Ambassador pair Denver Barrows and Cayde Bruce to explore the power of peer mentorship in the veteran-to-college journey. They dig into how strong mentor–mentee relationships are built, why they matter, and the real impact they can have on your admissions strategy and confi...

In this powerful episode of  Service to School Stories , host Whitney Cason sits down with Army veteran  Nate Tiegs  and admissions expert  Nick Fritz  for an honest, deeply human conversation about what it really takes for veterans to transition into higher education. Nate opens up about the parts of his journey that rarely make it into polished application essays — facing homelessness, battling...

In this episode of  Service to School Stories , Whitney sits down with Javier Kazmierczak — a former U.S. Army Special Forces soldier whose path from the military to higher education is anything but ordinary. Javier opens up about the real challenges behind his transition, from navigating the college admissions maze to figuring out what “fit” truly means for veterans stepping onto campus for the f...

Discover how Brown University is opening doors for veterans. In this episode, Sydney sits down with Bailey DiOrio and Mac Manning to break down Brown’s veteran-focused admissions process, the power of community on campus, and the programs that help student veterans thrive from day one. You’ll hear how holistic review works, what support systems actually look like, and why veterans are making a rea...

In this episode of  Service to School Stories , host  Whitney Cason  sits down with  Luke Hixson , a U.S. Navy veteran whose journey from the fleet to the Ivy League and now medical school proves that there’s no single path to success after service. Luke shares how he went from treating Marines as a Navy corpsman to studying neuroscience at  Princeton University , and now training to become a phys...

Transferring to a new college can feel like starting over — especially for veterans. In this episode of  Service to School Stories , transfer admissions expert  Jamie Smith  breaks down what every student veteran needs to know about making a smooth transition from community college to a four-year university. She shares insider advice on credit transfer, articulation agreements, and how to build a...

In this episode of  Service to School Stories , Whitney sits down with Air Force veteran Zach Wright to trace his path from community college to Stanford University. Zach opens up about what it really takes to thrive in higher education after the military — from battling imposter syndrome and finding belonging in the classroom to building meaningful relationships with professors. He shares hard-ea...

In this episode, Sydney and Annie discuss the evolving landscape of college admissions for veteran applicants. They explore trends in academic preparedness, the role of community colleges, the importance of standardized testing, and how veterans can effectively communicate their military experiences in applications. The conversation emphasizes the significance of preparation and the resources avai...

In this episode of Service to School Stories, we chat with Dr. Scott Smitson, a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel who transitioned into academia. He discusses the challenges he faced as a military veteran in higher education as well as opportunities, particularly through the Chamberlain Project, which helps place retiring officers in academic settings. Dr. Smitson shares his experiences teachin...

In this episode of Service to School Stories, S2S Director of VetLink, Whitney, chats with Kloey Albertson, a veteran and current student veteran at Brown University. Kloey shares her journey from military service to higher education, discussing the challenges she faced during the college admissions process, the importance of community support for female veterans, and her experiences at Brown. She...

In this episode, we're joined by Kaleth Wright, the 18th Chief Master Sergeant of the US Air Force, who shares his remarkable journey from joining the military on a whim to reaching the highest enlisted rank. In this conversation, Kaleth shares his journey and reflects on the unexpected opportunities that led him to the prestigious position of Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, detailing the...

In this episode, Alec Emmert interviews Eric Goins, a veteran and current student at Notre Dame pursuing an MBA and a master's in Global Affairs. Eric shares his journey from the Citadel, where he balanced academics, athletics, and military training, to his experiences in the Army, including the challenges he faced in Ranger School. He discusses the importance of resilience, the impact of his mili...

In this podcast episode, Charles Castelly shares his journey from military service to pursuing an MBA. He discusses his motivations for joining the Army, his experiences during basic training, and the challenges he faced with a medical discharge. Charles reflects on his educational path, the importance of community, and his diverse career experiences, including a sabbatical that allowed him to exp...

In this conversation, filmmaker Jake Rademacher shares his journey from aspiring military pilot to creating impactful films for veterans. He discusses the making of his film 'Brothers After War', the importance of nuanced storytelling in media representation of the Iraq War, and offers valuable advice for veterans looking to enter the film industry. Rademacher emphasizes the significance of creati...

In this podcast episode, Desaree Edwards shares her inspiring journey from a low-income background to serving as a nuclear mechanic in the US Navy. Desaree highlights the importance of leadership and trust within the military, her transition to civilian life, and her pursuit of education at Wesleyan University, where she discovered her passion for neuroscience and human rights advocacy. She also s...

In this podcast episode, Jimmy Hatch, a former Navy SEAL and founder of Spike's Canine Fund, shares his remarkable journey from military service to higher education at Yale. He discusses the challenges of transitioning from combat to civilian life, the importance of mental health, and the profound bond between humans and dogs. Jimmy emphasizes the need for veterans to seek help and the value o...