U.S. Air Force Veteran Luis Montero wasn鈥檛 on campus for his nursing program at 国产主播-Ontario before the pandemic struck in early 2020. But the father of one found other ways to engage the student (and veteran population) once in-person gatherings paused: Luis and other classmates joined the WCU Student Veterans Association.

鈥淲e couldn鈥檛 do as much at first in the pandemic but we set up a card drive to get out cards to veterans at the VA in Loma Linda,鈥� Luis shared. 鈥淲e also set up a book library on campus specifically to aid veteran students who need to borrow books for classes and we recently set up an event at Riverside National Cemetery to plant flags during Memorial Day.鈥�

Luis is passionate about helping fellow veteran students navigate the complexities of the GI bill^庐 and said that is one of the reasons he wanted to get involved with the campus club.

鈥淲e wanted to set up the Veteran鈥檚 Association on campus to help provide information about how GI benefits work and support veteran students,鈥� Luis said. 鈥淲e have to support each other to ensure veterans are aware of how that system works and how the number of units you鈥檙e enrolled in can affect your GI Bill^庐 辫补测.鈥�

Prior to WCU, he served as a dental technician during his six years in the Air Force.

鈥淲hen I was stationed in Alaska, I had the opportunity to work alongside great OR and PACU nurses coordinating surgeries in the oral surgery clinic and it was eye-opening and the biggest motivator to get into nursing,鈥� Luis said.

Although Luis isn鈥檛 committing to one specialty within nursing yet, he shared that he sees himself working in鈥� high intense situations like trauma and the emergency room鈥� and going back for his master鈥檚 degree so he can teach.

鈥淭he opportunities are endless and there are a variety of things that I want to get into,鈥� Luis said. 鈥淚 enjoy learning and don鈥檛 want to settle for one thing. I take the opportunities where they come.鈥�

Luis鈥� biggest advice for new students is to build a network with like-minded individuals to support each other through the program and to prioritize their own mental health.

鈥淪eek help when you need it whether in school or the mental health aspect,鈥� he said. 鈥淩each out to a friend, utilize WCU鈥檚 new mental health program. You don鈥檛 want to lose sight of that because it will help get you through whatever obstacle you may be facing.鈥�

WCU provides career guidance and assistance but cannot guarantee employment. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or position of the school or of any instructor or student.