In a world where the transition from military to civilian life can be daunting, Saint Leo University is setting a gold standard in supporting our nation’s veterans—offering not just education but empowerment. For Autumn Church, an Army veteran and recent graduate, Saint Leo was more than a university; it was a lifeline to her future.
Ranked as one of the Top Veteran Institutions and a premier Yellow Ribbon School, Saint Leo University continues to champion those who have served by delivering not only degrees but opportunities, dignity and community. Church’s story demonstrates the impact of a university that genuinely supports and values the veteran experience.
“I had to finish my degree if I wanted to make director,” Church said. “And that’s when I found Saint Leo.”
That decision was life-changing.
The intimate class sizes—no more than 30 students per class—offered Church the personalized attention she needed. Unlike large public institutions, Saint Leo’s professors maintain open-door policies. “I can walk into their office at any time and say, ‘I didn’t understand that class,’ and they will walk me through it,” she said. “I can’t do that at a larger university.”
One of the most distinctive features at Saint Leo is the Office of Military Affairs and Service’s Military Resource Center, a picturesque space on campus specifically designed for veterans to connect, study or simply decompress. It’s not just a room—it’s a refuge. From this hub of support, Church found the tools she needed to thrive academically and personally.
Veterans often feel pigeonholed, believing their military role must dictate their civilian career path. But Saint Leo challenges that notion with programs like Conversastions about Success Beyond Service, a monthly speaker series where alumni return to share career journeys post-military. This initiative widens the horizon for veterans, allowing them to envision futures outside traditional roles.
Perhaps most impactful is the admissions team, which Church described as “bending over backwards” to get her enrolled in just two weeks—working with her to navigate VA paperwork and course enrollment with astonishing speed. “What university do you know where you can contact them and be in a classroom two weeks later?” she asked.
Transitioning from service to student life presents challenges beyond paperwork. Church, who had not attended school in over two decades, found the technological and academic shifts overwhelming. But Saint Leo didn’t let her falter. Professors, advisors and support staff walked with her every step of the way—building a roadmap that allowed her to condense two years of coursework into one, fitting within the limits of her remaining GI Bill benefits.
For Church, support extended to her disability needs, too. Battling daily migraines that affect everything from vision to speech, she worked with the Accessibility Services Office to receive adaptive tools and schedule flexibility—no judgment, no pushback. Professors simply adjusted. “Not one of them made me feel like something was wrong with me,” she said.
The Yellow Ribbon Program was the cornerstone that made it all possible. It bridges the financial gap for veterans attending private institutions by matching school scholarships with VA funds. Church said that attending a smaller, private school like Saint Leo would have been financially impossible without it.
Church plans to give back by continuing her advocacy—helping veterans discover their true fit in the civilian world, whether in education or employment. Networking events like Conversations about Success Beyond Service, Quilt of Valor and Student Veterans of America have opened new doors for her and are just one more example of how Saint Leo promotes meaningful connection.
Looking ahead, Church intends to pursue her MBA and, later, a degree in Veteran Studies, a unique program offered online at Saint Leo. With a focus on psychology, history and world affairs, the degree aims to train professionals who can genuinely support veterans in all sectors.
Saint Leo University proves that education is not just about books and lectures—it’s about building bridges from the past to the future. For Church and countless other veterans, it’s where service transforms into success.
Read more articles for the Veteran Community here.
