Fort Campbell’s First Combined Colleges Ceremony Honors 17 SNHU Grads

Graduation is a cause for celebration, and it was especially so when the Army Education Center at Fort Campbell in Tennessee hosted its first combined recognition ceremony for military-affiliated graduates from the greater Fort Campbell and Fort Knox areas. These graduates ranged from military spouses to veterans and included 17 new alums who earned their degrees from Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)

Among those celebrating SNHU graduates’ success was Sarah Wersackas ’15, a military partnerships marketing manager at the university. “The energy in the room was incredible,” she said. “You could feel the pride and excitement radiating from the graduates, their families and the team at Fort Campbell.”

What always stands out to Wersackas is how resilient military-affiliated learners are. “Their educational journeys often include deployments, training exercises, relocations, unpredictable schedules and major life transitions, yet they remain committed to their goals,” she said. “Watching them cross the stage is a testament to their determination, discipline and ability to keep moving forward despite the unique challenges they face.”

According to Wersackas, SNHU’s military-affiliated learners often say they chose the university for the support, flexibility and personal attention they receive throughout their educational journey.

“That commitment doesn’t end when they enroll in their first course or even after they graduate,” she said. “We’ve built such a strong and engaged community that it’s common for students to introduce us to their friends, spouses, fellow service members and family members at events hosted by our partnership team.”

She notes those personal referrals and relationships speak volumes about the trust students place in SNHU and the lasting impact of feeling genuinely supported. And this isn’t a new sentiment — SNHU has supported military-affiliated learners since its earliest days, harkening back to World War II and beyond.

As for the military-affiliated learners and graduates she’s met throughout her time at SNHU, Wersackas said that each had a story of perseverance behind their degree.

These are some of the stories from this recent ceremony.

‘It Truly Opens New Doors’ 

For Rebeca Lisier '26, who earned her bachelor's in human resources, graduation was something she’s very proud of, as it represents a lot of hard work, long nights and balancing military service with school, she said.

“Finishing this degree reminds me that staying committed pays off,” Lisier said. She shared the celebration with her family because they supported her throughout her journey, noting that this accomplishment belonged just as much to them as it does to her.

Education is an important factor in her life, she said, and it’s been a way for her to create better opportunities for herself and her family. “I believe learning never stops,” Lisier said, “and every degree and experience helps me become a better leader, employee and person.”

She utilized the U.S. Army’s Tuition Assistance (TA) program to help cover the cost of her bachelor’s degree. “That benefit made it possible for me to focus on my education without taking on unnecessary debt,” she said.

SNHU’s flexibility provided what Lisier needed, she said. “Military life can be unpredictable, but the online format allowed me to complete my coursework around my schedule without sacrificing my responsibilities as a soldier,” Lisier said. “The support from the instructors and the structured courses made it possible to stay on track even during demanding periods of service.”

Now she has her sights set on continuing to build her career in human resources, focusing on talent management, employment development and organizational leadership, she said. Lisier also plans to continue on with a master’s in human resource management.

“I want to keep growing as a leader, provide a better future for my family and continue serving others through my work,” Lisier said. “I'm grateful for the opportunities the military and SNHU provided, and I hope my journey encourages other service members to pursue their education because it truly opens new doors.”

‘Your Path Doesn’t Have to Look Like Everyone Else's’

As someone who transitioned from close to a decade of active-duty military service to his civilian career, DeVante Martin ’26 said he needed a university that understood that life doesn’t stop while you’re earning a degree. 

Martin said SNHU’s online format, as he earned his bachelor’s in business administration, allowed him to keep moving forward without putting his career or personal responsibilities on hold.

“My instructors were supportive, and the structure of the courses made it possible to stay focused even during busy seasons,” he said, noting that the flexibility of online learning helped him balance his military responsibilities with his coursework.

Along the way, Martin said he learned that your path doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s. His journey included military service, career transitions and balancing multiple responsibilities.

“But every challenge made this achievement even more meaningful,” he said. “If there’s one message I’d share with anyone thinking about going back to school, it’s this: don’t let the timing stop you. Take the first step, stay consistent and trust the process. You might surprise yourself with what you’re capable of accomplishing.”

Like others in his graduation cohort, Martin took advantage of military education benefits to fund his education. “I’m incredibly grateful for that opportunity,” he said. “Those benefits allowed me to focus more on learning and less on the financial burden, making it possible to continue investing in my future.”

And he’s not done yet. He’ll soon begin a master’s degree program and plans to pursue his long-term goal of earning a doctorate, he said.

“For me, education isn’t just about earning a degree — it’s about becoming the best version of myself and using what I learn to serve others,” Martin said. “Personally, I hope my journey encourages other veterans and adult learners to keep pursuing their goals, no matter where they are in life.”

‘I Didn’t Let My Past Define My Future’

There were times when Hally Terry '26 questioned whether she could balance school, being a military spouse and raising three kids, she said, but she is so proud she kept going. Now that she’s completed her bachelor’s in psychology, Terry said her family planned to take a beach trip to celebrate because it’s a moment she worked so hard for.

Her family is a big part of why she earned her degree. “Education has always been important to me because it opens doors and gives me the opportunity to build a better future for my family,” she said.

Her family history also drove her to choose the area of study she opted for, too. “Growing up, I experienced a lot of hardship, including losing my mom to addiction when I was seven,” Terry said. “Those experiences inspired me to pursue psychology so I can help children and families who are facing similar challenges.”

As a military spouse, she said life can be unpredictable with moves and her husband’s schedule. “SNHU’s online format gave me the flexibility to complete my coursework while caring for my family,” she said. “My instructors were supportive and understanding, which helped me stay motivated throughout the program.”

Terry echoed what many who graduated that day shared; being able to use military education benefits made earning her degree much more affordable. “Having access to those resources reduced financial stress and allowed me to stay focused on my education,” she said.

Her professional goals include continuing her education with a master’s degree, with the aspiration of becoming a child and adolescent counselor. And once again, her family is in the foreground of her ambition. “I hope to show my children that no matter where you start in life, hard work and perseverance can help you achieve your goal,” she said.

For Terry, her degree represents much more than finishing college. “It’s proof that I didn’t let my past define my future,” she said.

‘Believe in Yourself and Never Give Up’

Military Tuition Assistance (TA) played a major role in helping Lorkens Andrew '26 pay for his degree, he said, making it possible for him to earn his degree while serving his country. His end goal is to become a political leader one day who can make a positive impact in his community, helping people in need, he said.

“I want to continue growing in leadership and use my education to create opportunities for others,” Andrew said.

Education is important to him, he noted, because we live in a rapidly changing world where technology and artificial intelligence are transforming the workforce. “Having a degree provides knowledge, credibility and opportunities to adapt and succeed in the future,” he said.

With his bachelor’s in business administration now in hand, Andrew said his experience at SNHU had been very positive. “The flexibility of online learning allowed me to balance my military responsibilities with my coursework,” he said, “and the support from the tutoring department helped me stay on track and succeed.”

And that success is one he’s celebrating with his family, who he said supported him throughout his degree pursuit.

While Andrew said it feels great to have completed his program, he wants others to know that nothing in life comes easy, but anything is possible with hard work, dedication and perseverance. His advice? “Stay focused on your goals, believe in yourself and never give up, no matter how difficult the journey may seem,” he said.

‘You Are Stronger... Than You Realize’

For Chantal Glover '26, earning a degree meant more than what she learned through the experience. She said one of the main reasons education is important to her is to show her sons that sometimes we don’t always know what we want to do with our lives. And as she completed her degree post-military service, she said, “I also wanted to show them that even though your goals may seem unattainable or you may just want to give up, you are (a) stronger person than you realize.”

Her education, she said, was made possible using her military benefits to help cover the cost and through the ability to take classes online. As for her experience earning her bachelor’s, Glover said, “I really enjoyed attending SNHU. The school is amazing.”

Now that she’s earned her bachelor’s in human services with a concentration in child and family services at SNHU, Glover said it feels great to be done. Her eyes are on the future and the goals she’s set.

“To be able to finally work in a field I am passionate about and to be able to help those in need, and to be there for them both in my professional work life and in my personal life through my volunteering” she said.

‘With Determination and the Right Support, Earning a Degree is Possible’

As a single mom serving in the military, Makaiyla Anderson ’26 said there were many moments when balancing work, parenting and school felt overwhelming. But it didn’t stop her. “Finishing my bachelor’s degree is one of my proudest accomplishments because it represents years of perseverance and determination,” she said.

And while graduating felt surreal to her, she said she’d be celebrating with her daughter and family — and taking time to reflect on everything it took to reach this milestone.

For Anderson, education represents opportunity and growth. “I hope my journey shows my daughter that no goal is out of reach if you’re willing to work hard and keep moving forward even when life is challenging,” she said.

The flexibility of SNHU’s online programs made all the difference for Anderson, who said she needed a school that could adapt to her schedule instead of the other way around. “The support from my instructors and the consistent course structure allowed me to continue making progress, even during busy periods of military service,” she said.

Anderson said she was fortunate to use military education benefits to earn her bachelor's in environmental science. “(This) made earning my degree financially possible and allowed me to focus on my education while supporting my family,” she said.

She hopes to provide the best life possible, she said, for her daughter, while continuing to show her the importance of education, resilience and never giving up on her dreams. She also hopes to inspire others.

“This degree is more than a diploma — it’s proof that perseverance pays off,” Anderson said. “I hope my story encourages other single parents and service members to believe that with determination and the right support, earning a degree is possible.”

‘Education is Something No One Can Take From You’ 

Military spouse Zoe McCauley '26 said completion of her bachelor's in psychology with a concentration in mental health is both exciting and rewarding. But she’s quick to note that balancing school with life’s responsibilities wasn’t always easy.

For her, SNHU’s flexibility made all the difference. “The online format allowed me to continue my education while managing the unique demands that come with military life,” McCauley said. “The support from my academic advisor, instructors and the university made me feel encouraged throughout my journey and helped me stay on track even when life became challenging.”

Despite those challenges, education is important to her, she said, because it creates opportunities for personal and professional growth. “I believe learning is a lifelong journey, and earning my degree has strengthened my confidence, expanded my knowledge and prepared me to make a greater impact in my career and community,” McCauley said.

Words from her father — “your education is something no one can take from you” — have served as an impetus to her drive to succeed. Military education benefits, including SNHU’s military tuition discounts, along with scholarships specifically for military spouses, also allowed McCauley to move forward with her education. “Having access to those benefits made continuing my education much more attainable,” she said, “and I’m very grateful for that support.”

With her degree, McCauley hopes to continue growing in her career, take on greater leadership responsibilities and create opportunities to make a difference in the lives of others, she said.

“I hope my accomplishment inspires my family and demonstrates that it’s never too late to pursue your goals with determination and commitment,” she said. “I’m proud of what I accomplished and grateful to everyone who supported me along the way.”

While each graduate had their own story to share, Wersackas summed up her experience that day as well. “Watching them cross the stage is a testament to their determination, discipline and ability to move forward despite the unique challenges they face,” she said. “Their accomplishments never fail to inspire me.”

Pamme Boutselis ’15, ’17G is an award-winning writer and content producer, currently serving as a senior director of content and a communication adjunct at Southern New Hampshire University. She loves hearing and sharing stories. As a writer spanning a 25-year career, her work has been featured in print and online via news media, career and education-focused blogs, regional magazines, technology publications and more.

A bachelor’s and master’s in communication — earned as an adult learner — positively impacted her life and career, melding decades in diverse industries with professional and academic knowledge and experience. A serial volunteer, Boutselis has been a TEDx organizer since 2013 and a speaker coach. She’s been fortunate to work with dozens of nonprofits throughout the years. Connect with her on LinkedIn.