Meet the Military Spouses Who Just Won Full-Tuition SNHU Scholarships

Each year, the last Friday before Mother's Day is National Military Spouse Appreciation Day in the United States — an annual observance that honors the contributions military spouses make to their families and their country. In the spirit of this recognition, five military spouses recently received news that they've been awarded full-tuition scholarships to Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU).

The scholarships were offered through a partnership with Operation Homefront, a nonprofit with a mission to build strong, stable, and secure military and veteran families by improving their financial, emotional and social well-being.

"Our military spouses are the vital heroes who hold families together through deployments, moves and the constant challenges of military life," said Rear Admiral (ret.) Alan Reyes, president and CEO of Operation Homefront. "They often put their own dreams on hold to support their service members and their families."

This partnership between SNHU and Operation Homefront goes beyond recognition by investing in individuals and their futures.

"Thanks to Southern New Hampshire University, these five spouses now have the opportunity to pursue their education, achieve their personal and professional goals, and create a brighter, more secure future," Reyes said. "By investing in their potential, we are honoring their sacrifices, celebrating their resilience and empowering them to thrive no matter where military life takes them.”

Meet some of the military spouses who received SNHU scholarships this year:

Mandy Bloomingdale

From the start, Mandy Bloomingdale said her college experience hasn't been a traditional one. "Life experiences, including trauma, addiction and rebuilding my life, took priority for many years — not to mention all of the military transitions," she said. "But those experiences shaped who I am today."

Now, she said she's a trauma-informed life coach and the founder of a nonprofit.

Already having successfully reinvented herself, the scholarship opportunity spoke to her when she discovered it. "I applied because I knew I was being called to grow," she said.

Learning that she was selected was exciting and affirming, according to Bloomingdale. "It felt like one of those full-circle moments where you realize how far you’ve come," she said.

Her husband, who serves in the U.S. Army, is proud of her, too. "He has walked through every season with me, the hard ones and the healing ones, and to see this opportunity come together meant a lot to both of us," said Bloomingdale.

With this scholarship, she said she plans to earn a bachelor's in human services with a concentration in substance abuse at SNHU to further her career and better support individuals and families through her work.

"Education is important to me because it equips me to turn my story into impact," she said. "It allows me to combine lived experience with knowledge and tools that can truly change lives."

Athena Gouzoules

After having her son, Athena Gouzoules said she needed to cut back on her hours at work. "I no longer qualified for my benefits, which included schooling," she said.

When Operation Homefront posted about the scholarship, she jumped at the opportunity to resume her studies and applied. "They have already given so much to my family through other programs," she said of the organization. "I’ve talked about going back to school one day, I just never thought I’d have the chance."

Gouzoules said she was shocked upon discovering that she was one of the scholarship recipients. "I think I said, 'Are you sure?' Because I didn’t actually believe it," she said.

Her husband, who served in the U.S. Army as a fire support specialist, was excited about the good news, too. "He was so happy for me," she said. "He also plans on going back to school using his GI Bill(®)."*

Moving forward, she plans to complete a cybersecurity degree at SNHU.

"Mainly, I’m doing this for my son," said Gouzoules. "He just turned one this past week, and he has changed my life for the better. I never thought I’d have an opportunity like this, and I could not be more grateful."

Biancca Martinez

For Biancca Martinez, whose spouse serves as a crew chief in the U.S. Air Force, education has always been important. "I wanted to take advantage of every opportunity available to grow, both personally and professionally, despite the unique challenges that come with military life," she said.

So, Martinez went ahead and applied for the scholarship. Upon finding out she was a recipient, she said she was overwhelmed. "It was one of those moments where everything feels worth it — the late nights, the sacrifices and the hard work," she said. "I felt seen and supported in a way that truly meant a lot to me."

Her spouse was very proud, as well. "They know firsthand how much effort I’ve put into my education, so celebrating this achievement together made it even more special," Martinez said.

From here, she plans to pursue a bachelor's in health science at SNHU. Already working as a medical assistant, she said she hopes the degree will prepare her to advance in the health field.

"I am drawn to this path because it allows me to play a more active role in patient care, diagnosis and treatment while making a meaningful difference in people’s lives," said Martinez.

Long-term, she said she hopes to create more stability for her family and show her child the importance of perseverance. "This scholarship means so much more than financial assistance," she said. "It represents support, recognition and belief in my goals."

Kryssha Riley

"As a military spouse and parent, timing and financial responsibility are always important factors," said Kryssha Riley. When she saw the scholarship opportunity through Operation Homefront, the time was right. She said she felt ready for a new era of growth, so she decided to apply.

Upon learning that she was a recipient, Riley said that she felt gratitude and excitement that her husband, who serves in the U.S. Army, shared when he heard the news.

"He knows how much this opportunity means to me and how hard I’ve worked to get to this point," Riley said. "It was a special moment for both of us, and we see it as a step forward for our entire family."

She views the scholarship as a chance to grow while also supporting her family. "It allows me to pursue my education without placing a financial burden on my husband, while also preserving his GI Bill(®) benefits for our children’s future," she said.*

Now, Riley plans to pursue a psychology degree at SNHU, galvanized by a desire to make a meaningful difference in people's lives. Although her education has had a few starts and stops along the way, she said continuing has always been a priority.

"I am deeply grateful for this opportunity and what it represents for my future," Riley said. "It truly feels like the beginning of a new chapter."

The Importance of Honoring Military Spouses

In a 2026 TEDxSNHU talk about bringing your whole self to work and beyond, Dr. Ashley Love, director of public health at SNHU, spoke about her own experience as a military spouse. "Military life is full of invisible labor," Love said.

Like many military spouses, she said she had to put her career on hold when her active-duty military husband received station change orders. "My husband's career moved," Love said. "Mine actually paused."

While she did her best to adjust to the change, she said she felt like she left part of herself behind. "Your career becomes negotiable, and your identity becomes just 'military spouse,'" said Love.

Military spouses often make huge personal sacrifices, but Love said they are seldom celebrated. That's what makes honoring military spouses — both on National Military Spouse Appreciation Day and around the year — especially meaningful.

These scholarships allow SNHU to express appreciation while offering real opportunities for advancement and growth.

"With the unique demands of military life, we recognize the challenges military spouses may face in pursuing a college education, where it can often feel out of reach," said Susan Bogle, vice president of product marketing and military partnerships at SNHU. "Each year, we honor their service and sacrifice by awarding full-tuition scholarships, where together, we’ve helped over 50 spouses nationwide take meaningful steps toward achieving their educational goals and building brighter futures for themselves, their families, and the communities they serve."

Bogle noted that expanding access to affordable, quality education has always been part of SNHU's mission, and she called supporting military spouses through this scholarship initiative a natural extension of those efforts.

"For military spouses, education creates stability in a lifestyle that can often feel unpredictable," Bloomingdale said. "It provides opportunity, independence and the ability to build something meaningful regardless of where life takes us."

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by the VA is available at the official U.S. government website.

Mars Girolimon '21 '23G is a staff writer at Southern New Hampshire University where they earned their bachelor's and master's, both in English and creative writing. In addition to their work in higher education, Girolimon's short fiction is published in the North American Review, So It Goes by The Kurt Vonnegut Museum & Library, X-R-A-Y and more. Connect with them on LinkedIn.