Warrior-Scholar Project (WSP)

Summer 2022 programs hosted on Yale’s campus:

• Humanities and STEM (women-only cohort): June 18-July 2
• Humanities and Business and Entrepreneurship: June 18-July 2

About

Warrior-Scholar Project (WSP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose vision is to ensure that every degree-seeking enlisted veteran and transitioning servicemember succeeds in their pursuit of higher education and beyond. In partnership with the nation’s top colleges and universities, WSP hosts intensive and immersive one and two-week college-preparatory academic boot camps for enlisted veterans and transitioning service members. They are also committed to addressing the educational gap that exists for minority service members and veterans.

Get the inside scoop from Whittney Gould, Director of Communications and Marketing, and Patrick Trujillo, Marketing Coordinator, on WSP and how Yale fits into their mission.

How does it feel to return to Yale’s campus after 2+ years? 

Yale is where it all started for us, so we were more than excited to be back on campus after running two years of virtual courses. We were fortunate to run our first-ever all women STEM cohort on campus this year after piloting an all-women humanities cohort virtually with Yale last year. In addition, this was the first year we offered a business cohort in partnership with Yale. Both the STEM and business programs exceeded our expectations, as these programs better prepared our participants to succeed in higher education in pursuit of their passions. 

Photo credit: Tiny Turtle Media

How was your experience on campus this summer? 

Yale is a fantastic campus with an equally impressive staff. We were blown away by the caliber of formal instruction we received from start to finish. From the lectures on The Declaration of Independence with Mike Fotos to acquiring new negotiation tactics from Barry Nalebuff and learning about Newton’s Laws with Jack Harris, we couldn’t be more pleased. The most memorable moment for us was being reminded of why we do what we do through the post-course survey results. The WSP impact was in full effect at Yale this summer. 

What’s the most rewarding aspect of working for WSP? 

Our vision of helping every Warrior-Scholar Project participant succeed in higher education and beyond is only possible due to our central staff, stakeholders, and generous donors. Without them, WSP wouldn’t exist. The passion and determination of all those involved in running our programs and the dedication of our participants make WSP so impactful. The reward for all involved is seeing the shift in thinking and confidence that our participants go through. Imposter syndrome is real, but through our peer mentoring with our WSP fellows, we help our participants realize that they will be successful in pursuing a college degree and can go to a school like Yale. 

Photo credit: Tiny Turtle Media

Final thoughts

Our relationships with our partners across the country are a significant part of our success, and we love and appreciate everyone involved. However, Yale will always hold a special place in our hearts because without them saying “yes” to hosting our first program in 2012, WSP wouldn’t be where it is today. Thank you, Yale!