After serving in the United States Army, Park University student Alana Jade returned home with a new mission: continue serving her community while pursuing higher education. Drawn to Park University for its smaller campus environment and specialized programs, Jade said the school offered the kind of focused learning experience she was looking for after leaving military life.
Jade explained that she wanted a university that felt more personal than large public institutions. Park’s Homeland Security program especially caught her attention, since programs in that field are not widely available in traditional classroom settings. While many universities offer the subject primarily online, she valued the opportunity to learn in person and build stronger connections with professors and classmates.
Her military experience has significantly shaped the way she approaches both college life and academics. Jade says the discipline, communication skills, and social confidence she developed in the Army have made the transition into college much easier than she expected.
“In the military you learn very quickly that perfection is an illusion,” she said. “You just focus on doing your absolute best.”
Because of that mindset, she feels less pressure in her academic work and finds the college environment more natural to navigate.
At Park University, Jade is aware of resources designed to support veteran students, particularly the Robert W. Plaster Center, where veterans can ask questions and receive assistance related to military benefits and student services. However, she hopes the university will continue expanding opportunities for veteran-focused events.
“Many veterans miss having that sense of community,” she explained. “Being able to talk about shared experiences would help a lot of us.”
Like many veterans transitioning into college life, Jade has faced challenges. One of the biggest has been redefining her identity outside of the military. As a former combat engineer, she spent years working in a highly specialized role. Entering college meant stepping into a new chapter where she had to rediscover who she was beyond that position.
She also stated that being a non-traditional student can sometimes feel intimidating, as many classmates are younger and come straight from high school. Another challenge she faces comes from traumatic brain injuries she sustained while working with explosives in the military, which sometimes makes remembering assignments or studying for tests more difficult.
Despite those obstacles, Jade says the most rewarding part of her military service is knowing she was part of history, black history at that. She served during the early integration of women into the combat engineer military occupational specialty, known as MOS 12B.
“I’m proud to have been in the first wave of women introduced to that field,” she said. “It meant being part of something bigger than myself.”
Her service also continues to shape her future goals. After graduating, Jade plans to join law enforcement and eventually work on a SWAT team. Her motivation, she says, comes from the same sense of duty she carried while serving in the Army. She hopes to help combat issues such as fentanyl distribution and human trafficking in her community.
Jade also believes that many civilians hold misconceptions about veterans. She says people often assume veterans are unemotional, that they easily transition back into civilian life, or that military service defines their entire identity. In reality, she explains, veterans are complex individuals who continue growing long after their service ends.
For other veterans considering attending Park University, Jade encourages them to take advantage of the resources available on campus.
“This university offers a good amount of support, and it’s really helped me excel,” she said.
Reflecting on her journey, Jade says joining the Army remains one of the most meaningful decisions she has ever made.
“Joining the U.S. Army was the best decision I ever made,” she said. “It gave me the tools to be successful in life and a sense of purpose and belonging. I have friends all over the world and I’m accepted everywhere I go.”
She hopes others will recognize the value of military service and the people who have served.
“If you’re considering joining the military, I say go for it,” she added. “It will be hard at first, but if you’re anything like me, that will make it fun. And if not, find a veteran you know and show them some love, because sometimes we need it the most.”
