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Brandon Armani, a veteran and �鶹Ӱ�� student since 2024, was invited to attend the Chicago area Warrior-Scholar Project Academic Bootcamp where he had the opportunity to develop the skills, confidence and strategies needed to thrive in higher education. The bootcamp was held at the University of Chicago and lasted seven days.

“The solid skills provided by my instructors at �鶹Ӱ�� and my fellow veterans equipped me with the academic tools to hit the ground running in the Warrior-Scholar program,” Armani said.  

The Warrior-Scholar Project, in partnership with the nation’s top colleges and universities, hosts intensive and immersive one-week college-preparatory academic boot camps for enlisted veterans and transitioning service members. Boot camps are offered in three disciplines: humanities, STEM, and business and entrepreneurship.

To get into the program, Armani had to complete an application and go through interviews.

Spots in the program are limited. All expenses, excluding travel, are paid in full for participants in the seven-day program.

Armani’s expectation of the experience was that he was the older student being added to the program to bring experience and “flavor.” While he said he did that, he was surprised at the young geniuses, as he calls them, that added their own flavor to the program.

“I was pleasantly surprised. Three of my fellow program attendees were from community colleges so we all had a similar experience and it was positive,” Armani said. “Community colleges are preparing people for life. I know I pulled from my �鶹Ӱ�� classes during the program, and the others said the same of their community college courses.”

Through faculty lectures, workshops and research projects, tailored assignments, and one-on-one tutoring, warrior-scholars acquire the skills to navigate the cultural shift from military service to college. Throughout the course, warrior-scholars are mentored by student veterans who have successfully transitioned from the military to college. Warrior-Scholar Project also offers workshops tailored to address the unique needs of veterans enrolled in community colleges and targeted programming for marginalized veterans.

Nineteen college and university partners participate in the program, and 88 percent of boot camp alumni have graduated or are on track to receive a bachelor’s degree.

“Brandon is the first veteran from �鶹Ӱ�� to be invited to take part in the Project,” Demitrius Bullock, advisor and coordinator of Veteran Services Advising Services, said. “Being selected for this opportunity is a significant achievement and speaks to Brandon’s dedication, perseverance and commitment to academic and personal growth. Programs like this play a crucial role in empowering veterans by providing them with invaluable resources, mentorship and networking opportunities.”

Armani talks openly about the support he has received from his �鶹Ӱ�� advisors.

“It was through Demetrius that I found out about the Warrior-Scholar Project,” Armani said. “He forwarded me the email about it and said I might be interested. I certainly was. The journey back to my adopted hometown of Chicago to such a strong program will provide return on my investment and an added benefit was getting to see my Chicago family, friends and haunts. Places I have not seen in over 20 years.”

Armani, a Louisiana native and the only boy in a family surrounded by nine sisters, views his life as acts in a play.  

“If this thing called life was a Broadway play, my �鶹Ӱ�� story would be the sixth act,” said Armani. “I have had so many acts prior to and know God has more in store for me.”

Armani says his first act was that of soldier, his second a community organizer, the third, executive director of a nonprofit, the fourth was policy advisor to four U.S. presidents and their senior staff – Clinton (Ryan White Care Act), G.W. Bush (Second Chance Act), Obama (Affordable Care Act) and Biden (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act).  

His fifth act is the one he calls his “greatest.”

“I served as primary care provider to my grandniece from birth to 7 years of age,” he said. “I was headed to Arizona and stopped in to see my sisters in Louisiana. I was informed that we needed to stop by the hospital because my niece was in labor. We found out she had decided not to keep the baby. Out of my mouth comes, ‘I will take the baby.’ I watched as God did everything he needed to do for me to take my Serenity home with me in 10 days. I raised her and loved her until she was able to return to her mother. My greatest act.”

To get to his “�鶹Ӱ�� act,” Armani accepted a job with Chapter 31, which provides vocational rehabilitation for disabled veterans. The job wanted to marry his experience with education.  

“Once I knew it was �鶹Ӱ��, I needed to find out more about it. I literally got on the Number 8 bus and yelled, ‘Where’s �鶹Ӱ��?’ A young student said, ‘I’ll show you,’ and he took me directly to Demetrius [Bullock] and the Department of Veterans Affairs on �鶹Ӱ��’s Main Campus.

Armani will finish two years at �鶹Ӱ�� then transfer to N.C. Central University for four years, finishing with his master’s degree in public policy. He wants to go back into advising and legislating.

“While here I want to be immersed in �鶹Ӱ��,” Armani said. “If you are not around young people you will start to believe the news and think there is no hope. I have met bright minds and kind hearts here at �鶹Ӱ��. I am reminded through them and �鶹Ӱ�� that there is a future, and these students will take good care of it.”