and Dr. Hira engage with Curtis Addleman, Executive Director of Military

and Veteran Student Services at The Catholic University of America.

Curtis opens up about his personal journey, transitioning from a

decorated Naval career to the world of higher education, leveraging the

Department of Defense SkillBridge program. This pivotal experience not

only prepared him for a leadership role but also enabled him to fulfill

his passion for supporting military-connected students.
Curtis

shares insights into the Veterans Upward Bound program, a Department of

Education-funded initiative designed to assist low-income,

first-generation college veterans in the DC area. Serving 125 veterans

annually, this program offers essential resources to those who have

exhausted or never accessed benefits like the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Curtis

discusses the importance of partnerships with organizations like US Vets

and Veterans on the Rise and outlines plans for events such as computer

literacy and financial skills workshops in collaboration with Tech for

Troops.
Listeners gain an inside look at The Catholic University

of America, the only Vatican-endorsed Catholic university in the U.S.

Curtis highlights its intimate campus environment, strong academic

offerings in fields like engineering and business, and its flexible

approach to religious participation. He underscores the university’s

holistic approach to integrating veterans, dependents, and ROTC students

into a cohesive and supportive community.
Curtis's vision goes

beyond academics, addressing veterans' fundamental needs first—housing,

financial stability, and emotional well-being—before building their

educational pathways. With real-world anecdotes and actionable advice,

this episode sheds light on the transformative work being done at

Catholic University to empower military-connected students.
Key Takeaways:
- The value of the SkillBridge program in transitioning to civilian careers.
- How the Veterans Upward Bound program bridges gaps for underserved veteran populations.
- Catholic University’s unique focus on creating an inclusive community for all military-connected students.
- The role of mentorship and partnerships in enhancing veterans' higher education experiences.

Join us to explore Curtis Addleman’s mission to provide life-changing

opportunities for veterans and learn how The Catholic University of

America is making a difference.

https://www.catholic.edu/admission/military-and-veterans/index.html

https://www.catholic.edu/index.html

#vetsos #VeteransSupport #HigherEducation #SkillBridge #MilitaryTransition #CatholicUniversity