In 2018, UChicago College established the UChicago Veteran Scholars initiative. The comprehensive program provides admissions support, career and professional development opportunities, housing and social programming, tailored academic advising and more to welcome and support the success of veterans. 

14 first-year Veteran Scholars enrolled in 2019, representing the first cohort in the new initiative. Four years later, the program has grown to 79. In fall 2021, UChicago was named the nation’s best college for veterans by U.S. News & World Report, reflecting the rapid success of the new program. 

We checked in with nine veterans in the first cohort, all of whom earned their degrees from the College last weekend. Click the boxes below to learn about their favorite UChicago classes, fondest college memories, future plans and more.

Header image by Ryan Baumgart