In this episode of Service to School Stories, Whitney sits down with Air Force veteran Zach Wright to trace his path from community college to Stanford University. Zach opens up about what it really takes to thrive in higher education after the military — from battling imposter syndrome and finding belonging in the classroom to building meaningful relationships with professors. He shares hard-earned lessons on time management, resilience, and the power of peer support among veterans navigating college life. Zach’s story is proof that with determination and community, your next mission — earning a degree — is absolutely within reach.
00:00 From Military to Academia: Zach's Journey
07:04 Navigating Community College and Future Aspirations
08:12 Choosing Northern Virginia Community College
10:07 Building Relationships with Faculty
11:03 Building Academic Relationships for Success
13:35 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome in Elite Education
16:44 Navigating the Application Process
19:31 Time Management and Academic Success
22:28 Community and Leadership in Veteran Support
25:21 Long-Term Goals and Supporting Fellow Veterans
28:17 Advice for Future Students and Veterans
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