Oct 28, 2025 · 30 min
In this episode of Service to School Stories, Whitney sits down with Air Force veteran Zach Wright to trace his path from community college to Stanford University. Zach opens up about what it really takes to thrive in higher education after the military — from battling imposter syndrome and finding belonging in the classroom to building meaningful relationships with professors. He shares hard-earned lessons on time management, resilience, and the power of peer support among veterans navigating college life. Zach’s story is proof that with determination and community, your next mission — earning a degree — is absolutely within reach. 00:00 From Military to Academia: Zach's Journey 07:04 Navigating Community College and Future Aspirations 08:12 Choosing Northern Virginia Community College 10:07 Building Relationships with Faculty 11:03 Building Academic Relationships for Success 13:35 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome in Elite Education 16:44 Navigating the Application Process 19:31 Time Management and Academic Success 22:28 Community and Leadership in Veteran Support 25:21 Long-Term Goals and Supporting Fellow Veterans 28:17 Advice for Future Students and Veterans Additional Resources: Letter of Recommendation Guide S2S's VetLink partner colleges Free admissions support for veterans