Victoria and Marvin Little, along with their daughter Arryuana, share a unique bond that extends far beyond blood—they are all veterans who have found a common ground in their pursuit of higher education through American Military University (AMU).
A Shared Educational Journey
What makes this family’s story extraordinary is not just their individual achievements, but their collective commitment to learning. Each family member has navigated the challenges of military service while simultaneously pursuing academic goals, supporting one another every step of the way.
Arryuana, an Army veteran from Jackson, Mississippi, chose AMU for its flexibility—a critical factor for someone balancing military responsibilities with educational aspirations. “I chose AMU because it’s flexible for me while I was active duty,” she explains. This flexibility became a game-changer in her academic journey.
Virtual Learning: A Perfect Fit for Military Families
For Arryuana, virtual learning offered unprecedented opportunities. For her, it was the ability to “move at my own pace. I could still have a life outside of school and the military,” highlighting the unique advantage of online education for servicemembers.
The university’s structure made her academic progression seamless. “AMU made it easy for me to stay on track while training because the teachers were very communicative, and the assignments were flexible,” Arryuana noted. Additionally, by strategically using her military tuition assistance (TA), she not only completed her bachelor’s degree in business but left enough TA in reserve for potential future graduate studies.
A Family Tradition of Education
The family’s journey to AMU wasn’t coincidental but a deliberate, supportive decision. Victoria Little was initially introduced to the university by her husband, Marvin. “My husband attended AMU, and he spoke highly of it, so I thought it was a great idea to give it a shot,” she recalled.
Victoria appreciated the virtual learning environment, particularly the accessibility of professors and the program’s flexibility. Like her daughter, she found that online education could be seamlessly integrated into her busy life.
By choosing AMU, Victoria, Marvin, and Arryuana demonstrated that education is a family legacy—one that can be pursued at any stage of life, with the right support and flexible learning platforms.
Marvin, reflecting on their collective achievement, proudly stated, “The fact that we finished at AMU, we can all celebrate this one thing together.”
More Than Just Degrees
The Little family represents a growing trend among military families who are breaking traditional educational barriers. Their collective approach to learning upends the notion that military service and higher education are mutually exclusive and shows the importance of continuous personal and professional development.
Their story highlights the broader impact of educational support for veterans. Each family member’s academic achievement not only represents personal growth but also serves as an inspiration to other military families. The resources and flexibility offered by institutions like AMU are crucial in supporting veterans as they transition from military service to civilian careers.
To learn more about how AMU helps military veterans continue to grow, learn, and achieve their dreams, both during and after their service, visit amu.apus.edu/military/veterans.
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