Warrior-Scholar Project provides brainy boot camp to veterans in Urbana

URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — It’s never too late to go back to school. That’s why veterans across Champaign County are meeting up at the Chez Veteran Center throughout this week.

They’re expanding their knowledge through a unique program called the Warrior-Scholar Project (WSP). It’s a nationwide, free, academic boot camp.

WSP lead Christopher Twigg went through the program himself.

“We have a couple of different offerings. We do a humanities course, a STEM course and business course.”

Twigg said no matter the subject, they’ll help them break barriers.

“Whether it’s math, biology, physics[…]the main goal we have here is helping them solve complex problems.”

The camp started back in 2011 with the goal of helping veterans transition into higher ed.

“From my experience doing it earlier this summer in Notre Dame, it really changed the way I approach education,” WSP student Andres Ruiz said.

In fact, Ruiz said this program helped him so much that he couldn’t stay away. Instructors focus on tools that help perform well in school.

“Are you respectful? How do you approach difficulty, you know, intellectually challenged?” Ruiz explained. “And then you also need to learn, okay, how do I navigate what and what resources do I need?”

Each course is one week long. Students meet for about 11 hours a day. The organization says 88% of WSP alumni have completed or are on track to earn a college degree.

“It’s the most rewarding job you can imagine, and it really brings back the sense of community that I missed in the military and getting down there,” Twigg said. “With all these veterans, it’s a true joy.”

If you’re a veteran and looking to sign up for the Warrior-Scholar Project, click here .

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