Service to School Stories

Building Academic Momentum for Student Veterans at Community College with Marina at Diablo Valley

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 community, navigate benefits, and access support both inside and outside the classroom. The conversation also explores the value of early transfer planning, campus-wide collaborations that support veteran success, and common myths surrounding community colleges. Whether you're considering starting at a community college or planning your next step toward a four-year institution, this episode offers practical insights for making the most of the journey. 00:00 Introduction to Community Colleges for Veterans 01:17 Support Systems in Community Colleges 04:02 Navigating the Transition to Higher Education 06:41 The Importance of Outreach and Connection 09:32 Collaboration Across Campus Departments 12:16 Academic Advising and Transfer Planning 22:19 The Power of Mentorship 23:43 Navigating Community College for UCs and CSUs 28:16 Academic Counseling and Support Systems 33:48 Dispelling Myths About Community College 39:22 Final Advice for Veterans in Community College Resources  Diablo Valley College [https://www.dvc.edu/⁠] Service to School [https://service2school.org⁠] CalVet Benefits [https://www.calvet.ca.gov/⁠]

Early Stage Higher Education Preparation for Veterans with Sydney Matthes & Annie Behari

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 admissions success, and the benefits of preparing esrly for a smooth transition to higher education. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Service to School 05:12 Understanding the Service to School Timeline 10:06 Preparing for Higher Education: Early Steps 15:12 Navigating Academic Credits and Course Selection 19:54 Crafting Your Narrative: Military Experience and Admissions 25:08 Final Thoughts and Resources for Future Students Resources * Service to School Website [https://service2school.org⁠] * College Fair and Webinars [https://service2school.org/events⁠] * Veterans Education Benefits Guide [ https://www.va.gov/education/⁠]

The Power of Mentorship in Higher Ed Admissions with Denver Barrows + Cayde Bruce

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 confidence. Denver and Cayde share what makes mentorship work, the trends they’re seeing across the veteran community, and the qualities that set great mentors apart. You’ll also hear honest insights about navigating the unique challenges military-affiliated applicants face and how having someone in your corner can change everything. The episode closes with practical guidance for both mentors and mentees, plus inspiring reminders of why mentorship is one of the most transformative parts of the Service to School experience. 00:00 Introduction to Mentorship in Education 05:06 The Impact of Mentorship on College Admissions 11:10 Building a Network Through Mentorship 14:04 Maintaining Relationships Beyond College Applications 16:37 Trends in Mentorship and Education for Veterans 20:30 Qualities of an Effective Mentor 24:46 Navigating Feedback in Mentorship 28:43 The Unique Value of Mentorship for Military Applicants 31:20 Final Thoughts and Reflections 34:28 S2S Stories Podcast Outro Video.mp4 Additional Resources:  Become a mentor with S2S [https://www.service2school.org/volunteer-sign-up]

Telling Hard Stories Well: An Honest Conversation with Nate Tiegs and Nick Fritz

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 bureaucracy, and learning to advocate for himself. His story is raw, real, and a reminder that resilience isn’t theoretical for veterans; it’s lived. Nick brings the admissions perspective, breaking down what colleges actually look for in veteran applicants, why vulnerability matters, and how maturity and self-awareness can become your strongest assets in a holistic review process. Together, Nate and Nick reveal how authenticity, courage, and a willingness to tell your full story can transform the admissions experience — and why veterans are uniquely prepared to succeed in the classroom and beyond. This episode is a must-listen for any veteran preparing to apply to college, anyone supporting veterans through the transition, or anyone who needs a reminder that your story has power. 00:00 Navigating the Transition from Military to Civilian Life 02:42 The Role of Education in Personal Growth 05:45 Overcoming Bureaucratic Challenges in Admissions 08:26 The Importance of Holistic Admissions Processes 11:03 Writing Essays: Sharing Difficult Experiences 13:56 Demonstrating Resilience Through Personal Narratives 16:47 The Power of Authenticity in Admissions Essays 19:42 Advice for Veterans on Writing Their Stories 22:32 Final Thoughts on the Admissions Journey Additional resources:  Amherst College Admissions [https://www.amherst.edu/admission/apply]

Cracking the Code: A Veteran’s Guide to College and MBA Admissions with Javier Kazmierczak

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 first time. He shares how mentorship, community, and the right support system — including Service to School — helped him chart a path forward with confidence and clarity. Whether he’s breaking down application strategies, talking through the power of networking, or reflecting on his surprise moments as a student at Chicago Booth, Javier brings honesty, humor, and hard-earned wisdom to the conversation. This episode is packed with insights for any veteran considering higher education — and a reminder that your military experience isn’t just relevant in the classroom, it’s a strength. 00:00 From Military to Academia: Javier's Journey 03:09 Navigating Higher Education: The Role of Service to School 06:04 Choosing the Right School: The Importance of Fit 08:52 Overcoming Challenges: Transitioning from Military to College 12:00 The Application Process: Strategies and Insights 14:42 Building Relationships: The Value of Faculty Support 17:35 Planning for the Future: Pursuing an MBA and Beyond 22:35 Strategic Major Selection and Backwards Planning 27:05 Choosing the Right MBA Program 28:46 Navigating the Application Process 32:59 Academic and Personal Surprises at Booth 34:38 The Veteran Community at Booth 36:44 Lessons Learned from Military to Academia 38:40 Adding Value as a Veteran in Academia 41:14 Encouragement for Veterans Considering Higher Education Additional Resources: * Work with Service to School (S2S) [https://www.service2school.org/sign-up]