Student-Veterans Participate in Academic Boot Camp at CofC

This summer, a cohort of military veterans will participate in a rigorous academic boot camp at the College of Charleston designed to prepare them for college-level coursework. Funded by the Schoen Foundation Program for Veteran and Military Students and hosted in partnership with the Warrior-Scholar Project (WSP), the collaboration marks the latest step the College has taken to increase support for student-veterans. The business boot camp will run July 11–18 and bring together enlisted veterans from across the country. 

Over the course of the week, participants complete more than 75 academic hours, simulating a typical college “finals week” and challenging them to sharpen their academic skills in a condensed timeframe. The experience helps veterans build confidence and prepare for the transition from military careers to higher education. 

“This partnership with Warrior-Scholar Project signals a major step forward in how the College of Charleston supports those who served,” says Jessica Wilkes, director of the College’s Veteran and Military Student Services and an Air Force veteran. “Hosting this program shows that we are actively listening to the needs of our student-veterans, removing barriers to their success and ensuring they have a first-rate platform to excel both in the classroom and within the business community.”

During the business boot camp, participants learn from College of Charleston faculty, work closely with tutors and receive guidance from student-veteran mentors who have successfully navigated the transition to college. The program also introduces participants to campus resources and the structure of a university learning environment, reinforcing both academic and social readiness. 

“The College of Charleston shares our commitment to helping veterans unlock their full potential,” says WSP CEO Ryan Pavel, “and we’re grateful to work with them to bring this transformative program to the community.”

The Transition to Civilian Academics

Each year, more than 115,000 veterans transition out of the military, many turning to higher education as a pathway to new careers.

Wilkes says it’s important to meet veterans where they are and give them the specialized momentum they need to conquer the transition to civilian academia – and programs like the WSP are vital because they translate a veteran’s military discipline into academic excellence.

“They don’t just teach business or humanities; they teach veterans how to navigate the cultural shift from the military to the classroom, turning potential transition anxiety into academic confidence,” she says.

“The magic of Warrior-Scholar Project happens when enlisted veterans realize they belong in these academic spaces and can succeed there,” agrees Pavel, noting that, beyond academics, the WSP boot camp helps participants build community, foster personal growth and find a renewed sense of purpose. “Our programming helps participants tap into their identities as both veterans and students, building the confidence, community and skills they need to thrive not only in the classroom, but as civically engaged leaders.”

WSP outcomes demonstrate the program’s impact: More than 80% of alumni have completed or are on track to complete a college degree, compared to 47% of veterans using the Post-9/11 GI Bill. In 2025, 60% of WSP participants were first-generation college students, reflecting the program’s reach among those navigating higher education for the first time. 

The program is provided at no cost to participants through support from the College of Charleston and investments from foundations, corporations and individual donors.

ABOUT the WARRIOR-SCHOLAR PROJECT

The Warrior-Scholar Project’s mission is to ensure that every degree-seeking enlisted veteran succeeds in their pursuit of higher education. Since its founding in 2011, nearly 3,000 student-veterans have participated in a WSP academic boot camp, its flagship program, and more than 80% of program alumni have earned or are on track to earn a college degree. The immersive college preparatory experience, hosted in partnership with colleges and universities nationwide, helps veterans prepare for the cultural transition from the military to academia. 

More than boot camps, the WSP also offers programs to address the unique needs of student-veterans, including integrated programming for underrepresented veterans, graduate school and career field exploration. The Department of Veterans Affairs collaborates with the WSP to help veterans access information about WSP’s free programming.

For more information, visit www.warrior-scholar.org.