Serving Our Service Members Through Education

In 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower issued the first Veterans Day proclamation, designating November 11 as a day for Americans to “…solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom…”

At WGU Texas, we honor veterans on this day and every day through our education programs tailored to veterans, transitioning and active-duty military members, and their families.

Texas is the proud home of the second-largest military veteran population in the U.S., with more than 1.5 million veterans. According to 2017 American Community Survey microdata, 69.4%of those veterans lack a college degree, while nearly 98,000 Texas veterans currently pursue higher education degrees through the GI Bill.

Many GI Bill college students are enrolled at WGU Texas, where 14% of our student population includes active-duty military personnel, veterans and military family members. We draw the interest of the military community because our competency-based learning model allows them to apply their existing military skills towards a degree, and we make every effort to accommodate and serve our military students in ways that acknowledge and honor their service to our nation.

By expanding higher education access to these important and valuable individuals, WGU Texas aims to help them excel beyond the uniform and gain skills that fill the workforce shortages in our state. In particular, this population represents a valuable, skilled talent pool, who can help meet the critical need for more STEM-experienced employees.

In Texas, veterans make up nine% of the STEM workforce, the second-largest STEM veteran workforce in the nation. According to a December 2018 report released by the Institute for Veterans and Military Families, the past decade has seen a 34% increase in jobs requiring some level of STEM expertise, coinciding with veterans entering the civilian workforce. Within Texas, the largest%age of STEM veteran employment is in Dallas-Fort Worth (32%), followed by Houston (19%) and San Antonio (15%).

For 10 consecutive years, WGU Texas has received the “Top Military-Friendly Colleges and Universities” designation, and last month we announced our new Salute to the Armed Forces Scholarship — worth up to $3,000 toward a bachelor’s or master’s degree in IT, business, K–12 education or healthcare. In addition to numerous scholarship opportunities for military members and their families, we offer flexible, personalized learning experiences so that a deployment or overseas assignment doesn’t have to be a barrier to higher education attainment.

In one case, WGU Texas alumnus Michael Arias pursued his college degree under incredibly challenging circumstances — while fighting for his country in Iraq with the U.S. Army. With the help of supportive course mentors and a flexible course schedule, the late nights and early mornings paid off when he walked across the stage at commencement two years later.

As he watched his fellow graduates accept their diplomas, he set his sights on his next goal — an MBA. Within a few months, he enrolled again at WGU Texas and says his experience allowed him to knock down doors he never thought possible.

Sarah Mic Merritt pursued her Master of Science, Cybersecurity and Information Assurance, while stationed at Lackland Airforce Base. Sarah, a first-generation high school graduate and first-generation college graduate, completed that degree in 2018, which has allowed her to proudly serve as the Air Force’s only female active-duty cyber warfare instructor, responsible for the training and development of more than 1,200 cyber warfare, intelligence analysts and cyber defense personnel each year.

She has received numerous awards and commendations for her military service and was recently recognized by WGU as a trailblazer in information technology with a passion to encourage women to explore STEM fields. Merritt also earned the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, recognizing the 3,000-plus hours she devotes each year to non-profit groups in her community.

Military spouse Lynda Jo Skipper became a passionate leader in her nursing profession, as her education allowed her to advocate more effectively for hospice patients and fellow nurses. To further advance her career and to set a positive example for her children, she decided to earn her master’s while working full time. This past year, Skipper was awarded a $2,000 WGU Texas Military Appreciation scholarship. Her long-term goals are to become a director of hospice services for her region.

On this Veterans Day, and every day, we want the military community to know that serving your country doesn’t preclude you from also attaining higher education.

Afterall, as the late Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”