MSU hosts program for veterans to enter higher education

EAST LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) – This week, Michigan State University is hosting a program to help veterans transition back into civilian life all while getting a college degree.

The university partnered with the Warrior-Scholar Project to put on a realistic week-long college-prep experience.

“Not only just preparing them for higher education, but…learning how to be just a normal, regular person again outside of the uniform,” said Tojyea Matally, a WSP fellow.

Veterans told 6 News that many of them struggle to transition back to normal life and find their purpose after serving.

“A lot of our identity is attached to a job title,” said Harry Foster, a WSP fellow.

WSP hopes to bridge this gap by giving them a taste of college. The veterans attend lectures in the morning, workshops in the afternoon, and even live in dorms.

“I never really thought of attending a top-tier university,” said Joseph Corless. “I guess I just didn’t think that was possible for me.”

Joseph Corless is an active Army Ranger participating in the camp. He says the last few days have opened his eyes to opportunities he never knew he had.

“I’ll be getting out soon and I’m just feeling a little lost,” he continued. “This is the most motivated I’ve been so far and I feel like I can find a purpose in learning.”

The program efforts seem to be working, and the Warrior-Scholar Project says that 88% of their alumni have either completed or are on track to get their degree—that’s compared to only 65% of traditional undergraduate students doing the same.

“The big thing that we are hoping participants walk away with is the knowledge that they themselves are capable of performing in a high-stress, high-academic environment,” said Matally.

“It’s getting out of our comfort zone, but that’s good,” said Kevin Rochas. “We have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.”

Kevin Rochas served in the Marine Corps and says he used to be intimidated by the college environment and even joined the military to avoid school.

Now, the veterans say they are walking away with newfound confidence and curiosity for topics like political science and creative writing.

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