In this impactful episode of the VERS podcast, we feature Daniel Avegalio, a Marine Corps veteran and trailblazer in higher education, as he shares his journey from military service to community college administration and his current role at Western Governors University (WGU). With 16 years of experience advocating for military-affiliated students, Daniel’s insights are both inspiring and practical.
Daniel’s Story: From the Corps to Higher Ed Leadership
After serving in the Marine Corps from 2004 to 2010 and completing three deployments to Iraq, Daniel faced the challenges of transitioning to civilian life. His determination led him to a student worker role at American River College, where he discovered a passion for supporting veteran students. Over time, Daniel advanced to becoming a college dean, leveraging his leadership skills to implement veteran-focused initiatives.
Western Governors University: A Haven for Military-Affiliated Learners
Now a key leader at WGU, Daniel works with the university’s growing population of 29,781 military-affiliated students (as of October 2023). WGU stands out for its competency-based education (CBE) model, enabling students to earn degrees at their own pace by demonstrating subject mastery. This flexible approach aligns perfectly with the needs of veterans, active-duty military personnel, and working adults balancing education with other commitments.
WGU’s Support Systems and Initiatives
Daniel highlights WGU’s comprehensive support network, designed to help students and alumni succeed at every stage:
- Program Mentors: Dedicated advisors guiding students through academic and career goals.
- Career Services for Life: A lifetime resource offering resume assistance, interview prep, and job placement. - Peer Networks: Peer-to-peer support groups foster connections among military-affiliated students.
- Strategic Partnerships: Collaborations with organizations like the Naval Community College and the VA expand educational opportunities in cybersecurity, health sciences, and more.
Championing Veteran Success Daniel reflects on the challenges military students face, from identity shifts to balancing educational and personal responsibilities. His mission is clear: to ensure veterans have access to the resources and mentorship needed to thrive. His work at WGU includes building partnerships with employers, hosting career webinars for military spouses, and mentoring other institutions to replicate WGU’s success.
WGU Alumni: A Lifelong Community
With over 360,000 alumni nationwide, WGU fosters ongoing engagement through career development initiatives, employer partnerships, and networking opportunities. Military-affiliated alumni comprise 16% of the student body, demonstrating WGU’s strong commitment to this community.
Why This Episode Matters
This episode is a must-listen for veterans, military families, and higher education professionals seeking innovative approaches to education and career success. Discover how WGU’s competency-based model and veteran-centric strategies are transforming lives and paving pathways to meaningful careers.
Key Topics Discussed:
- Daniel’s transition from Marine Corps service to higher education leadership.
- WGU’s innovative competency-based education model.
- Comprehensive support systems for military-affiliated students.
- Building sustainable partnerships with employers and veteran organizations.
- Lifelong career services and alumni engagement at WGU.
https://www.wgu.edu/ https://www.wgu.edu/student-experience/military.html #vetsos #VeteranEducation #MilitaryToCivilian #HigherEducation #CompetencyBasedLearning #WesternGovernorsUniversity

Monteigne Long detailed her transition from K-12 education to higher education and her steadfast dedication to supporting student veterans. With over 14 years of experience in veteran services, Long has played a pivotal role in developing comprehensive programs and initiatives that benefit military-connected students across the Texas A&M University System, encompassing 10 campuses and serving more than 12,000 military-affiliated students.
Her experience working with veterans and military families includes her tenure at the University of Southern California and her current role at Texas A&M University. Her focus has always been on fostering engagement, leadership, and success among student veterans.
The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest in the nation, with over 150,000 students across 11 campuses, including a mix of research universities, regional institutions, and historically black colleges and universities. The system serves more than 12,000 military-connected students, with about 1,100 veterans at the main College Station campus. Its long history of military service includes strong partnerships with state agencies such as FEMA and a commitment to serving veterans and their families.
Key initiatives include the Veteran Promise Program, which guarantees future educational opportunities for veterans, and the Meals for Vets program that provides food security.
Each campus features a dedicated Veterans Center, staffed to address the specific needs of military-affiliated students. Programs like first-year seminars for veterans and Veteran Upward Bound at Texas A&M Kingsville help ease the transition to higher education.
Monteigne emphasized the importance of partnerships with organizations such as the Texas Veterans Commission and Wounded Warrior Project to provide comprehensive support.
Collaboration with military installations and state agencies ensures seamless transitions from service to education. Strategic admissions advisors work closely with military personnel, helping them navigate their academic journey from enlistment to graduation.
Monteigne highlighted the transformative impact of the Hazelwood Act, a Texas benefit that waives tuition and fees for eligible veterans and their dependents, making education more accessible.
This benefit plays a vital role in attracting and supporting military families within the state.
Innovative Tools for Accessibility An interactive map on the Texas A&M University System website helps prospective students identify and connect with resources at the campus of their choice.
Accessibility to services and streamlined communication among the campuses ensures a cohesive support system.
The Texas A&M University System promotes a veteran-inclusive culture through its core values of leadership, loyalty, and selfless service. Each campus tailors its support to reflect its unique strengths while maintaining strong collaboration across the system. Monteigne underscored the importance of creating a sense of belonging and community for student veterans, helping them achieve academic and personal success.
Actionable Items:
- Enhance the interactive campus map to improve accessibility for prospective and current students.
- Expand successful veteran-focused initiatives, such as Veteran Upward Bound, to additional campuses.
- Continue strengthening the veteran-inclusive culture across all campuses by leveraging Texas A&M’s rich military heritage and values. https://www.tamu.edu/index.html https://www.tamu.edu/veterans/index.html

#vetsos #VeteranSupport #HigherEducation #MilitaryFamilies #TexasAMUniversity #StudentSuccess

In this impactful episode of VET S.O.S., Shawn Welsh and Dr. Hira welcome Chad Rairie, Executive Director of ValorAcademic, to discuss how his organization empowers veterans and military families to navigate and succeed in higher education. Chad, a U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran, Dartmouth graduate, and former senior policy advisor to the U.S. Department of Defense, shares his journey from military service to academia and his mission to improve educational outcomes for veterans.
Chad founded ValorAcademic in 2022 after years of informally mentoring veterans aiming for top colleges. The organization offers comprehensive, personalized advising that supports veterans at every stage of their educational journey—from selecting schools that align with their goals to navigating complex transfer credit processes. ValorAcademic’s services are available to all, with no veteran turned away due to financial limitations.
The discussion highlights the holistic approach ValorAcademic takes, addressing not only academic challenges but also personal and family considerations, such as relocation, childcare, and balancing education with military life. Chad emphasizes the need for institutions to better track veteran graduation rates, as the lack of accurate data often undermines efforts to improve educational success. Additionally, the organization extends its support to military spouses and dependents, providing tailored guidance for their unique challenges.
📌 Key Highlights:
- Chad’s Transition Journey: From being a college dropout to attending Dartmouth and mentoring fellow veterans.
- ValorAcademic’s Mission: Helping veterans and military families achieve their educational goals with a personalized, student-centered approach.
- Systemic Issues: The importance of tracking veteran graduation rates to provide data-driven support.
- Support for Military Families: Tailored advising for spouses and dependents navigating higher education.
- Practical Insights: How ValorAcademic addresses common challenges like transferring credits and adapting to academic life.
- Chad also shares his personal experience with the complexities of higher education, underlining the importance of understanding the "lingo" and processes involved. His insights are not only inspiring but provide actionable advice for veterans and their families seeking to make informed educational decisions.
🎧 Listen now to discover how ValorAcademic is changing the game for veterans in higher education.
🛠️ Actionable Takeaways:
- Explore the resources ValorAcademic provides to veterans and their families.
- Advocate for institutions to track and support veteran graduation rates.
- Reach out for personalized counseling to simplify the educational journey.
Don’t miss this episode if you or a loved one are considering furthering your education post-service! Subscribe to VET S.O.S. for more inspiring stories and resources. https://www.valoracademic.com/ #vetsos #VeteranEducation #HigherEdSuccess #MilitaryFamilies #ValorAcademic #VetSupport