Five ECPI University student veterans from across Virginia had the opportunity to share their stories and experiences on Capitol Hill on March 13th. Zoell Wollin (Navy Veteran, Newport News), Starr Hernandez (Army Veteran, N. VA), Maddie Coppick (Navy Veteran, VB Campus), Alex Mayorga (USMC Reserves, Moorefield), and Tiffany Wiles (Navy Veteran & Navy Spouse, VB MCI) traveled to Washington D.C. to meet with members of Congress and their staffs, including Congresswoman Jen Kiggans.
The student veterans discussed their military backgrounds, the challenges of transitioning to civilian life, and their decision to pursue their education at ECPI University. They highlighted the accelerated programs offered by ECPI, which allow them to maximize their GI Bill® benefits and enter the workforce faster than at traditional institutions.
Bill Brown, ECPI University's Executive Director of Military and Veteran Education, commented on the importance of this Hill Day: "Each of our Student Veterans has a remarkable story about their service and the valuable experience they gained. By sharing these stories with Congress, we can showcase the strength of our academic programs and the support systems we have in place to help all our students succeed."
The experience proved to be a valuable one for the student veterans. They gained insight into the workings of Congress and had the chance to advocate for themselves and their fellow veterans. All five students expressed their satisfaction with the trip and are glad they had the opportunity to participate.