In this episode of Service to School Stories, Emma Parish, Director of Student Advising, sits down with S2S applicant & Ambassador pair Denver Barrows and Cayde Bruce to explore the power of peer mentorship in the veteran-to-college journey.

They dig into how strong mentor–mentee relationships are built, why they matter, and the real impact they can have on your admissions strategy and confidence. Denver and Cayde share what makes mentorship work, the trends they’re seeing across the veteran community, and the qualities that set great mentors apart.

You’ll also hear honest insights about navigating the unique challenges military-affiliated applicants face and how having someone in your corner can change everything.

The episode closes with practical guidance for both mentors and mentees, plus inspiring reminders of why mentorship is one of the most transformative parts of the Service to School experience.

00:00 Introduction to Mentorship in Education

05:06 The Impact of Mentorship on College Admissions

11:10 Building a Network Through Mentorship

14:04 Maintaining Relationships Beyond College Applications

16:37 Trends in Mentorship and Education for Veterans

20:30 Qualities of an Effective Mentor

24:46 Navigating Feedback in Mentorship

28:43 The Unique Value of Mentorship for Military Applicants

31:20 Final Thoughts and Reflections

34:28 S2S Stories Podcast Outro Video.mp4

Additional Resources:

Become a mentor with S2S

In this powerful episode of Service to School Stories, host Whitney Cason sits down with Army veteran Nate Tiegs and admissions expert Nick Fritz for an honest, deeply human conversation about what it really takes for veterans to transition into higher education.

Nate opens up about the parts of his journey that rarely make it into polished application essays — facing homelessness, battling bureaucracy, and learning to advocate for himself. His story is raw, real, and a reminder that resilience isn’t theoretical for veterans; it’s lived. Nick brings the admissions perspective, breaking down what colleges actually look for in veteran applicants, why vulnerability matters, and how maturity and self-awareness can become your strongest assets in a holistic review process.

Together, Nate and Nick reveal how authenticity, courage, and a willingness to tell your full story can transform the admissions experience — and why veterans are uniquely prepared to succeed in the classroom and beyond. This episode is a must-listen for any veteran preparing to apply to college, anyone supporting veterans through the transition, or anyone who needs a reminder that your story has power.

00:00 Navigating the Transition from Military to Civilian Life

02:42 The Role of Education in Personal Growth

05:45 Overcoming Bureaucratic Challenges in Admissions

08:26 The Importance of Holistic Admissions Processes

11:03 Writing Essays: Sharing Difficult Experiences

13:56 Demonstrating Resilience Through Personal Narratives

16:47 The Power of Authenticity in Admissions Essays

19:42 Advice for Veterans on Writing Their Stories

22:32 Final Thoughts on the Admissions Journey

Additional resources:

Amherst College Admissions

In this episode of Service to School Stories, Whitney sits down with Javier Kazmierczak — a former U.S. Army Special Forces soldier whose path from the military to higher education is anything but ordinary.

Javier opens up about the real challenges behind his transition, from navigating the college admissions maze to figuring out what “fit” truly means for veterans stepping onto campus for the first time. He shares how mentorship, community, and the right support system — including Service to School — helped him chart a path forward with confidence and clarity.

Whether he’s breaking down application strategies, talking through the power of networking, or reflecting on his surprise moments as a student at Chicago Booth, Javier brings honesty, humor, and hard-earned wisdom to the conversation.

This episode is packed with insights for any veteran considering higher education — and a reminder that your military experience isn’t just relevant in the classroom, it’s a strength.

00:00 From Military to Academia: Javier's Journey

03:09 Navigating Higher Education: The Role of Service to School

06:04 Choosing the Right School: The Importance of Fit

08:52 Overcoming Challenges: Transitioning from Military to College

12:00 The Application Process: Strategies and Insights

14:42 Building Relationships: The Value of Faculty Support

17:35 Planning for the Future: Pursuing an MBA and Beyond

22:35 Strategic Major Selection and Backwards Planning

27:05 Choosing the Right MBA Program

28:46 Navigating the Application Process

32:59 Academic and Personal Surprises at Booth

34:38 The Veteran Community at Booth

36:44 Lessons Learned from Military to Academia

38:40 Adding Value as a Veteran in Academia

41:14 Encouragement for Veterans Considering Higher Education

Additional Resources:

• Work with Service to School (S2S)