The importance of Higher Education: My (non-traditional) Path to Empowerment and Equality

I have always been drawn to traditions. Rituals often play a crucial role in shaping

cultural bonds and continuity across generations. But what happens when you don’t

have an identifiable marker for a tradition? You make one.

Higher education serves as a powerful tool for personal development, social mobility,

and economic advancement. For many, a college degree symbolizes more than

academic achievement, it represents overcoming systemic barriers, challenging

stereotypes, and redefining what is possible. This is especially true for individuals

navigating higher education as first-generation college students, women in male-

dominated fields like STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), and

disabled combat veterans. For these students, higher education is not just a choice; it is

a lifeline for a better future.

After completing my military service, I began my college journey as a “non-traditional”

student. I initially enrolled at Campbell University in North Carolina but attended for only

one semester due to a change in my then-husband’s military orders. After arriving in

Hawaii, I began searching for a college that offered my intended major. To my surprise,

none of the local schools had my previous major, so I decided to change my degree

from Homeland Security to Psychology — and I’m so glad I did! Navigating college

without the guidance of family members who had experienced higher education, while

also moving across the Pacific Ocean and recently transitioning out of the military,

presented a unique set of challenges for me but I was determined to stay the course to

complete my degree. I attribute my success to three pillars, finding mentorship from the

military veterans resource office, my awesome therapy counselor, and the support and

encouragement from my family back home.

Non-traditional students like me frequently juggle academic pressures with family

responsibilities and financial burdens. Yet, despite these obstacles, their perseverance

is a testament to the transformative power of education. Earning a degree not only

changes their lives but can break generational cycles of poverty and limited opportunity.

Their success often inspires younger siblings and relatives to pursue higher education

as well.

Women pursuing careers in STEM face another set of challenges. Historically, these

fields have been male-dominated, with lingering biases and structural barriers that can

make advancement difficult. Women in STEM often encounter subtle (and sometimes

overt) discrimination, isolation, and a lack of mentorship. Yet their presence is vital.

Increasing gender diversity in STEM leads to more innovative thinking, balanced

representation, and equitable policies. For a woman navigating this landscape, higher

education provides both the foundation of knowledge and the platform to prove her

capability. It empowers her to not only succeed but to lead, mentor others, and change

the culture of these industries from within creating paths for women.

The journey becomes even more complex for disabled combat veterans. As a combat

veteran myself I can attest to the struggles I encountered in academia. From dealing

with service-related injuries and PTSD to navigating disability services and adapting to a

less structured environment, our road can look steep. However, I took it upon myself to

help my peers understand that, as veterans, we bring unique perspectives shaped by

our military experiences—and that we add significant value in spaces where we’re often

overlooked. Education offers a path toward healing, reintegration, and purpose. A

degree equips veterans with the tools to translate their military skills into civilian careers,

advocate for themselves and others, and continue to serve their communities in new

ways.

For someone who is all three—a first-generation college student, a woman in STEM,

and a disabled Marine Corps veteran—the barriers can seem insurmountable. Yet, my

journey through higher education is a powerful story of resilience and transformation.

Higher education is not a luxury but a necessity. It opens doors, challenges injustices,

and empowers individuals to rewrite their stories. For marginalized students, especially

those facing intersecting challenges, the value of education is immeasurable.

Supporting their journey is not just about inclusion—it’s about building a better, more

equitable future for all. For students like me, every classroom they enter, every test they

pass, and every degree they earn represents more than academic success, it signifies

resistance against the odds and a commitment to personal and societal progress.

When my mom asked what I wanted her to bring to my graduation, I jokingly said a

mariachi sombrero. Little did I know that playful request would become the start of our

new family tradition—a celebration of how far we’ve come and what it means to make

our own way forward. Start a tradition.