Warrior-Scholar Project Returns to Columbia University

WSP assists veterans through their transition from the military to higher academia through a curated program—equipping them with the skills necessary to successfully complete four-year undergraduate degrees. In-kind support from Columbia University and investments made by foundations, corporations, and private donors cover the entire cost of the program for participants.

Each WSP boot camp is run by WSP staff with a team of WSP alumni student veteran fellows, and is taught by university professors. An intensive syllabus guides participants as they adjust to an academic environment. WSP believes with the right educational support during their transition from active duty to civilian academic life, veterans will become the next generation of civic and business leaders.

Last year, several of the Project’s participants applied, and were admitted to, the Columbia University School of General Studies to pursue undergraduate degrees.

“Honestly, I consider this to be one of the most important courses a veteran could take when making the transition from the military to school,” said Jacob Slocum, a WSP Columbia University alumnus. “I came here with a 3.5 GPA in my first year of classes and firmly believe that, had I come here before I started, then I would have a 4.0 instead. Anyone getting out and planning on going to school should attend this program.”

WSP hosted a week-long academic boot camp at Columbia University for a dozen transitioning veteran students last week, from July 27 - August 3. Participants resided in campus housing and attended lectures in various classrooms and facilities on the University's Morningside Campus.

“We are incredibly proud and excited to have hosted another Warrior-Scholar Project academic boot camp at Columbia University in 2019,” said CEO Maura Sullivan. “The program at Columbia University engages veterans at an all-too-critical transition point, addresses veterans’ misperceptions about college, and builds their confidence through an intense academic reorientation.”

WSP launched its first program at Yale University in 2012 with just nine participants. WSP has grown to 18 of America’s top schools and will serve 275 veterans at boot camps across the country during the 2019 summer program. In addition to Columbia University, WSP graduates have gone on to enroll at prestigious institutions including Georgetown, Cornell, Harvard, Princeton, Dartmouth, Yale, and Stanford.

To learn more, visit the Warrior-Scholar Project website.