Today's Military Learners: Amplifying Voices and Connections

TODAY’S MILITARY LEARNERS: AMPLIFYING VOICES AND CONNECTIONS

Spearheaded by the American Council on Education (ACE), Today’s Military Learners is a pioneering national strategy designed to elevate postsecondary education opportunities and outcomes for a diverse range of military learners. This initiative is poised to be a transformative force in advancing the educational opportunities and outcomes for military learners, contributing to their overall success, and fostering a national commitment to their well-being, economic mobility, and continued capacity building.

The Champions

Our Champions are representatives from military and veteran service organizations (MSO/VSOs) and individual contributors across various sectors, including higher education, industry, employment, and transition. These influential figures play a pivotal role in amplifying and ensuring a robust connection to grassroots initiatives, trends, opportunities, and successes within the community.

Reggie Ash

Reggie Ash

Veteran, Independent Contributor

Reggie Ash is a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel and current VP of Business Development at Terra Ferma, driving innovation in secure military tech and community advocacy.


Jason Davis

Jason Davis

Phase Line Leadership & Consulting, LLC

Jason Davis is a U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel and international scholar dedicated to advancing military leadership through education and global collaboration.


Mike Eastman

Mike Eastman

Onward Ops

Mike Eastman is a retired U.S. Army Brigadier General and Executive Director of Onward Ops, championing successful military-to-civilian transitions.


Garrett FitzGerald

Garrett FitzGerald

College RECON

Garrett FitzGerald is the founder and CEO of Recon Media, leading innovative platforms like CollegeRecon and MyMilitaryBenefits to connect and empower the military community through strategic marketing and accessible information.


Patrick Fitzhugh

Patrick Fitzhugh

USAA

Patrick Fitzhugh is a former U.S. Air Force SERE Specialist and Regional Director at USAA, leading community and veteran engagement in Arizona.


Jeni Hunniecutt

Jeni Hunniecutt

VetREC (Veteran Research and Education Curation)

Jeni Hunniecutt is a veteran, scholar, and founder of VetREC, specializing in community-engaged veteran research and education.


Michael Kelly

Michael Kelly

USAA

Michael Kelly is a retired Air Force communicator and leader of USAA’s Military Advocacy Group, amplifying support for service members and their families.


Abby Kinch

Abby Kinch

Student Veterans of America

Abby Kinch is a veteran and Vice President at Student Veterans of America, shaping research and policy for student veterans.


Wendy Lang

Wendy Lang

The Dixon Center / Operation College Promise

Wendy Lang is the senior advisor for policy and research (military and veteran services) with the Dixon Center and is the founder of Operation College Promise, a national leader in veteran student success, whose policy, training, and research initiatives have transformed how higher education supports military learners.


Jenna Pryor

Jenna Pryor

PsychArmor

Jenna Pryor, VP of Partnerships with PsychArmor, draws on her experience as a military kid and social worker to design and lead national partnerships that strengthen systems of support for service members, veterans, and their families through education and training.


John Regni

John Regni

Military Officers Association of America

John Regni is a retired Air Force Lieutenant General and strategic consultant with decades of leadership in education, defense, and public service.


Brandon Smart

Brandon Smart

Active Duty

Brandon Smart is a Marine Corps leader, strategic innovator, and agile trainer whose work in policy, technology, and leadership development has shaped education and innovation across the Department of Defense.


 Kandi Tillman

Kandi Tillman

50strong

Kandi Tillman is a mission-driven leader and founder of 50strong, leveraging 20+ years in corporate strategy and a personal commitment to the military community to bridge employers and higher education in building military-ready workforces.


John Troxell

John Troxell

Former SEAC

John Troxell is the 3rd SEAC and founder of PME Hard Consulting, continuing to serve the military community through leadership training and advocacy.


Wanda Wright

Wanda Wright

VA's Advisory Committee on Women Veterans

Wanda Wright is a retired Colonel and Director at Arizona State University, leading veteran and military academic engagement and policy initiatives.


Mick Zais

Mick Zais

Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Education

Mick Zais is a retired Brigadier General and former Deputy Secretary of Education with a lifelong commitment to military service and educational leadership.