Kate Brunskill understands the impact trauma can have on an individual and the generations that follow, which is why she chose to pursue a trauma-focused Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. In her final year, she wasn’t sure she would be able to effectively juggle the demands of a part-time job, the required full-time practicum, an internship, and her coursework. But she did. Now, she’s working in private practice and leaning into learnings she has held onto from her bachelor’s degree in business marketing as she brings on new clients. Once she has enough hours of practice under her belt, she looks forward to pursuing a supervisory role.

Darren Calica embodies National University’s “ANDer” philosophy. While serving on active duty in the U.S. Navy as a Hospital Corpsman Second Class, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Financial Management, balancing military leadership responsibilities with academic achievement. His National University experience allowed him to be both a Sailor and a student, a healthcare provider and a future healthcare administrator. Following graduation, he plans to pursue graduate studies at Johns Hopkins University and continue his goal of becoming a commissioned officer in the Navy Medical Service Corps. Through lifelong learning, leadership, and service, he hopes to improve healthcare systems for military members, Veterans, and their families.

Dakota Cox is an active member of the Marine Corps who decided to pursue an associate degree in Paralegal Studies as a first step toward his post-service life. For him, the associate degree allowed him to test his appetite for the legal field, which has captured his curiosity for some time. As a mechanic for amphibious combat vehicles, Cox appreciated the flexibility of National University’s schedule, which allowed him to balance his work duties and his academic responsibilities. Once he is assigned to a new station, he plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree, so he is ready for law school when he retires from the Marines.

Dr. Renise De Armas earned her Doctorate in Health Administration while awaiting the birth of her first child. In fact, she defended her dissertation just one week before delivering her son. As a new mom and new doctoral scholar, De Armas plans to continue her work in quality risk management, focusing on the development of systems that foster equitable healthcare access, particularly among vulnerable populations. As a first-generation immigrant who moved to the U.S. alone at the age of 18, De Armas takes great pride in her professional and academic journey and looks forward to serving as a mentor for the next generation of healthcare leaders.

Linda Hamer has been elbow-deep in statistical data for years, which led her to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. While working as a statistician for the U.S. Census Bureau and contributing to the 2010 and 2020 decennial census operations, Hamer came to appreciate the stories that data can tell about communities and society, which is what drew her to the field of sociology. Following graduation, Hamer decided to retire from public service and focus her attention on pursuing a graduate degree. She looks forward to researching, writing, and publishing.

Tiffany Johnson has changed her entire professional path by completing her master’s degree in public health. While serving abroad in the Navy, Johnson specialized in intelligence and training. With a degree in a field that will allow her to live out her dream of helping others live healthier lives, she hopes to find a position as a health promotion specialist. She now plans to pursue a health and wellness certification so she can work in a clinical setting, helping others, including Veterans who are navigating chronic diseases. More than anything, Johnson wants to show others how to advocate for themselves in and out of a healthcare setting.

Dr. Emily Kazutomi combined personal adversity with academic rigor to earn a PhD of Philosophy in Psychology that is uniquely rooted in her own lived experience. Her dissertation focused on the efficacy of school-based suicide prevention programs, and she hopes to focus her future work on emotional resilience programming that is anchored by dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Dr. Kazutomi chose to pursue a doctorate because she believed it was the best pathway for her to be involved in creating or fostering systemic change. And she completed her studies while working full-time and advancing within the Kaiser Permanente organization. She is hopeful that her emotional resilience, coupled with her academic credentials, will be a valuable combination for progress as it relates to teen mental health.

Colleen Lyn Kelly has been recognized for preparing the Poster of the Year, which displayed the research she conducted while earning her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership. Her poster, which was recognized among dozens of entries from other graduates, illustrated the barriers and successful pathways early childhood educators experience with students who exhibit persistently challenging behaviors. Throughout her research, Kelly found that by and large educators could benefit from additional social-emotional support. While building her own educational consultancy business, Kelly is also working towards getting her research published and finding an administrative position that allows her to implement and test her findings.

Ross Kenlay pursued an Associate degree in Business and Economics so he would have a better understanding of business ownership. He and his dad had talked about opening a self-serve auto shop, and Kenlay wanted to be sure he was academically prepared to become an entrepreneur after leaving the Navy. Even after his father passed away, Kenlay continued on with their plan and opened the shop, which allowed customers in the San Diego area to use the shop’s space and tools to work on their cars or motorcycles. Looking ahead, Kenlay hopes to pursue a bachelor’s degree in digital media arts to fulfill another dream he has of working in a creative field.

Alexis Lariviere was personally driven to pursue a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity after being the target of a malicious and personal cyber-attack. As a Navy Veteran who has now completed her degree, she hopes to continue her education so she may ultimately help shape the future of AI — from its responsible use to its carbon footprint. Lariviere achieved this educational milestone while working and living with a chronic health condition that was often disruptive to her academic progress. She credits her own persistence and the flexibility of National University with helping her through the most challenging times. As someone who loves to unravel a good puzzle, Lariviere is keenly focused on decoding the future of AI, and with any luck she hopes to be doing it as a “Googler.”

Dominic Maleknia credits his focus, and the National University framework, for his success in earning his associate degree in Human Biology. The degree is a stepping stone for Maleknia, who decided to pursue a new career path in the healthcare field after spending a few years as a teacher and a short time in the tech sector. Although he met a few challenges in his previous academic pursuits, he viewed his time at National University as one that offered him redemption, even in the face of new obstacles he faced along the way. His goal is to become an advanced practice nurse working in an emergency medicine environment.

Savanna McDonald earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology while working part-time as a peer support specialist and volunteering as a domestic violence advocate. As a military spouse, National University appealed to her because of its flexibility and its support of active duty and Veteran students. McDonald plans to use her degree to work with children and families facing mental health challenges, which is a journey that mirrors her lived experience. More than anything, she wants to be the resource to others that she never had growing up. She is focused on continuing to contribute to community crisis care while seeking a master’s degree.

Rogelio Mendez Estrada had long aspired to earn a Master of Arts in Education, believing that this academic milestone would not only advance his career but also strengthen his ability to meet the diverse needs of his students as a special education resource specialist. After immigrating to the United States with his family as a teenager, he learned a new language, adapted to a new culture, and became the first member of his family to earn a master’s degree. Committed to serving students and families, Rogelio hopes his educational journey will inspire others while supporting his goal of pursuing a leadership role within his school district. He views this degree as an important step toward expanding his impact in education and advocating for student success.

Angelia Nixon originally pursued a master’s degree in entrepreneurship at National University so she could better support the electrical business her husband was launching. Those plans changed when she followed her inspiration, wrote a book and launched her own publishing company while earning a master’s degree and learning to live with chronic illnesses that disrupted her academic journey. As a graduate, she will now focus on being a business owner, growing her publishing company, and pursuing partnerships that promote health and literacy. By embracing a personal motto of “keep it moving,” Nixon earned her degree just as one of her daughters graduates from college and another graduates from high school.

Dr. Alex Pujols already has his dream job, serving as VP of Global Solutions Engineering at Cisco Systems. With his PhD, which he earned with a dissertation on Emergence In Quantum Neuromorphic Artificial Intelligence, he envisions a future where he can teach others about a field that has captivated him for as long as he can remember. In addition to pursuing a doctorate while working in a demanding field, Pujols served on the COBET student advisory committee and was a member of National University’s Omega Nu Lambda and Sigma Alpha Pi chapters. Pujols is also a founding member of the National University Foundation, which offers support to students facing barriers in completing their academic journey.

Jennifer Ramirez pursued her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education because she wanted to become the educator she once needed herself. Throughout her academic journey with National University, Ramirez worked two jobs and attended classes at night. With her degree, Ramirez is able to apply her passion for creating inclusive classrooms and helping families navigate the early intervention and support resources that are available to them. She is now pursuing a Master of Education and Education Specialist Credential in Special Education while leading a classroom for students with extensive support needs.

Christina Maria Sanchez completed a Doctorate of Business Administration in Organizational Leadership and has been recognized by National University for preparing the Dissertation of the Year. A first-generation college graduate and proud Puerto Rican American, Sanchez explored the underrepresentation of Latinas in hospital C-suites by connecting with a dozen Latina leaders across the country. Her research identified the obstacles, motivations, and success strategies that shape the leadership journeys of Latinas in healthcare and contribute to their advancement into executive roles. As a Latina herself, she said the research experience was life-changing. Sanchez plans to expand the reach of her research through future publication and speaking engagements focused on leadership, inclusion, and healthcare transformation.

Keyt Supelana immigrated from the Philippines with a determination to create new opportunities through education and hard work. While working full-time at UCSF Medical Center, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science from National University, graduating summa cum laude while building her skincare brand from the ground up. She hopes to continue bridging science and entrepreneurship by pursuing a master’s degree in cosmetic science and developing innovative, science-backed skincare solutions that empower others to feel confident in their own skin.

Charlie Van De Voorde earned his Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration with a commitment to create meaningful change in his community. Although his path to higher education included time spent in prison and time in recovery, Van De Voorde is fueled by a need to give back and help others through similar dark times. As the vice president of rehabilitation services at a nonprofit organization in Bakersfield, Van De Voorde has overseen re-entry programs for individuals experiencing substance use or homelessness and those who were formerly incarcerated. With this degree, and while pursuing additional degrees and certifications in the field, Van De Voorde has set his sights on executive leadership and the political arena, where he hopes to have a hand in influencing policy.

Dr. Abraham Velez-Rivera worked his way through Marine Corps promotions while working his way through a Doctorate in Public Administration. While running parallel tracks, pursuing higher education as he accepted new positions and transferred stations — from Japan to Louisiana to South Carolina — his career and his education eventually intersected. Velez-Rivera’s career path in the Marines has had him focused primarily on avionics systems, specifically aircraft navigation, communications, and countermeasure systems for fighter jets and helicopters. Similarly, his dissertation focused on communication, gaining a better understanding of the impact of toxic leadership within units. His experience at National University has inspired him to pursue opportunities to teach as well as opportunities to shape policy.

Dr. Philip West pursued a Doctorate in Organizational Innovation and Leadership because, as an active fighter pilot and instructor with the Air Force, he felt a need to set himself apart from his peers. The degree is just one professional development achievement West is pursuing, followed by an additional master’s degree from the Naval War College. During his dissertation, he had the unique opportunity to see his theory play out in real time as an overseas combat mission utilized his proposed tactical approach. That experience allowed him to produce recommendations that he hopes will influence policy moving forward.

Robin Woodward pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Strategic Communications for two reasons. She wanted to formalize the training she had received as a working professional in the field over the past decade and make herself more competitive for advancement. Despite unexpected challenges, including a layoff that affected her academic journey, she quickly saw how the degree gave her an edge during her job search. Now working in the public sector with a renewed work-life balance, Woodward is exploring the possibility of pursuing a doctorate.