Military-Connected Student of the Month

I joined to give something back, and for the opportunity to deploy downrange in support of OIF or OEF. I deployed twice, the first in July of 2012 to Helmand Province in support of OEF, where my company was tasked with heli-borne drug interdiction raids. I provided fire support with the Javelin Missile System and was awarded a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for actions while deployed. The second deployment was through the Unit Deployment Program (UDP) to Okinawa. While there we conducted training and lived on Camp Fuji, at the base of the mountain. We also participated in Operation Forrest Light, a joint training mission with the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force. Other personal decorations include Combat Action Ribbon and Good Conduct Medal.

I started school in January of 2017, in the aviation program. I became interested in aviation beginning with my time spent in helicopters in Afghanistan.

After college, I plan on instructing at SUU. Community service is really just the Pitchford cleanup project as well as I guess being the dog sitter for everyone lol. For awards at school, I would say the marine corps league scholarship, the Scott Pitchford scholarship, and the Captain Jason Dahl scholarship. Also, and this hasn’t been confirmed, but apparently I got some award at graduation, but because I wasn’t told, I didn’t go. So it would be nice to find out what it was.

My advice for future students is to “study your damn ass off!” Any aviation student that fails a stage on a ground hasn’t put in the time studying that their career deserves. Aviation is a very demanding, but rewarding career. Give your career the start it should have, don’t be lazy and not study. Ask questions. You will be laughed at for dumb questions (yes there are dumb questions) but after laughing at you, you’ll get an answer. As an instructor, if I don’t know the answer, then I’ll research the subject until I find the answer.

Hometown: Fresno, CA

Branch of service and anything you’d like to share about your time in service: United States Marine Corps. I was a heavy equipment Operator with 8th ESB, was able to work a joint task force in Rio Grande Valley, TX building operable roads for border patrol. After two years of operating, I became a Civil Affairs NCO, and deployed with 2nd Battalion 8th Marines to Romania on a Black Sea Rotation.

Hobbies: In my free time I enjoy anything outdoors. I will either be camping, hiking, trail running, dirt bike riding, or snowboarding in the winter. I just began canyoneering and attempting to rock climb. If i’m not outside, I'm just hanging out with my new puppy Rip.

Date attendance began at SUU: I began at SUU May of 2020.

What are you studying and why: I am currently studying Psychology. I want to eventually become a recreational therapist/counselor for veterans and first responders. From first hand experience serving and having lots of family in law enforcement, I have seen first hand the difficulties faced, and the limited amount of resources available to help those serving, so I hope to bring an alternative avenue of care.

Plans after college: Once finished with my bachelors degree, I will pursue a graduate degree in recreational therapy. And in my dream position I will start an adventure wellness camp.

Community service/programs: I volunteer at a few animal shelters/rescues. When possible I will be a part of Soul Dog animal rescue, and Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.

Any awards at school: N/A

Name:  Erik Kjellgren

Hometown:  Rock Springs, Wyoming

Branch of service and anything you’d like to share about your time in service: United States Navy, 2000-2020, Naval Flight Officer onboard the Navy’s submarine hunting aircraft the P-3C Orion.  

Hobbies:  Spoiling my dog Sunny, Poker, Movies, and am currently training for the Las Vegas Rock and Roll Half Marathon

Date attendance began at SUU: Fall 2020

What are you studying and why: Aviation Science, Fixed Wing.  Flying is my passion and I want to keep doing it as well as instruct those after me.  There’s nothing more rewarding than watching someone do what you taught them!  

Plans after college: Get paid to fly!  Eventually fly cargo, commercial, or corporate.  

Community service/programs: Family Support Center Youth Mentor, Blood Donor

Any awards at school: None

Any advice for future students: Figure out what you want to do in life and stick with the plan.  It’s going to be challenging on occasion, but others before you have succeeded, and you can too if you work hard!  

Hometown: Littleton, CO

Branch of service and anything you’d like to share about your time in service: Served 4 years in the Marines as an 0311, 1 deployment to Iraq and 1 deployment to Afghanistan, got out as an E4.

Hobbies: Motocross, fishing, shooting, and mountain biking

Date attendance began at SUU: May 2020

What are you studying and why: I’m studying Aviation Science because I just wanted school to fly by. Seriously though, I thought flying helicopters would be an awesome career and it scares me every single time, I like that.

Plans after college: To keep flying helicopters and using my free time to enjoy what life has to offer.

Community service/programs: Only when I do bad things

Any awards at school: Just this one! Go me!

Any advice for future students: Don’t be a procrastinator and make friends in your area of study that push each other to do better.

Hometown: Aurora, Illinois

Branch of service and anything you’d like to share about your time in service: United States Army Infantry, OEF/OFS Veteran 2014-2018

Hobbies: Shooting, fishing, and playing poker with my friends.

Date attendance began at SUU: Fall of 2020.

What are you studying and why: Criminal justice, because I am fascinated with the justice system within American society. I want to make a difference by protecting the greater good, standing up for what I adhere to, and helping those in need.

Plans after college: I will test with a few agencies; local, state, and federal. But, my main goal is to attend and succeed at law school.

Community service/programs: I am Vice President of the Student Veterans of America (SVA) chapter here at SUU.

Any awards at school: So far, this is my first award!

Any advice for future students: Future students should get involved with school based events and clubs. College can be a very rewarding experience when you become engaged in extracurricular activities. Going to class, getting good grades, and putting in the effort is one thing; but it is all about who you know as well. Get involved and take advantage of the various resources here on campus.

Hometown: Syracuse, Utah

Branch of service and anything you’d like to share about your time in service: I am a Dependent but both of my parents served in the Air Force. 

Hobbies: I like to spend my time helping the Theater and Dance Department here at SUU. I love to bake in my free time, specifically cinnamon muffins, they are my favorite. I love being able to spend time with my friends and hang around Cedar City. 

Date attendance began at SUU: Fall of 2019 

What are you studying and why: I am a Theater Arts Education Major with a minor in History Education. I have always been very passionate about performing and I figured that becoming a theater teacher would be the best choice for my career. 

Plans after college: I hope to get a job at a High School, that could be in Utah or any other state that interests me, and be my own director of High School productions. I also hope to travel as much as I can. 

Community service/programs: I volunteered my time last year working on both Romeo & Juliet, and Far Remote as a costume designer and a stage manager. I also love being able to help with the High School Shakespeare Competition. 

Any awards at school: This is my first award here at SUU. 

Any advice for future students: Some advice for Future Students is that time here goes by both slowly and quickly here at SUU. That even though you need to keep up with your school work, enjoy your time here. Go to the events, make new friends in your classes, utilize help from your teachers and from your friends. Just Have Fun and cherish the time that you have here.

Name:  Ke’ali’i Kai Shull

Hometown: Shinnston, WV

Branch of service and anything you’d like to share about your time in service: Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class (SW) United States Navy

Hobbies: Fishing, Hiking, and getting ready to be a Dad!

Date attendance began at SUU: January 2020

What are you studying and why: I chose to be a Nursing Major because I have always wanted to be in healthcare. It can be a very fast-paced and hands-on job which I enjoy, and it gives me the opportunity to help others, which is something I love to do.

Plans after college: After graduating from SUU, I intend on immediately getting my first nursing job anywhere I can to support my family.

Community service/programs: I have attended some veteran community service events such as wreaths across America. I also assist my wife at times with the animal rescue “Tragic to Magic” which she is the Vice President of. I plan to be a part of the Student Veterans Association in the near future.

Any awards at school: This is my first award at SUU.

Any advice for future students: If I had any advice for someone who is about to be a student, it would be to never lose sight of your end goal. Sometimes it may seem like school is really hard, or it's going by very slowly. But if you always remember what your end goal is, you can stay motivated and do well. I also highly recommend getting involved in any way you can, which is something I wish I would have started doing sooner.

Our July Military Connected Student of the Month is…..Will Clemons!

Hometown: Destin, Florida

Branch of Service: Army Cavalry Scout

Hobbies: Hiking, fishing, and competition shooting

Date attendance began at SUU: Sep. 2020

What are you studying and why: I am a geology major. I chose this major because the national parks have always fascinated me, and I see it as a route to not only work in the parks, but learn more about them.

Plans after college: My goals are to either work for the national parks service, or the department of fish and wildlife.

Community Service/Programs: I am currently a student veteran peer mentor, as well as in the student veteran association.

Any awards at school: This is my first award here at SUU.

Any advice for future students: This is a cool and interesting transition for many students, if I could give any advice it would be to be active in school clubs and programs, it helps you make more friends, as well as prevents you from being stuck inside all day.

Hometown: Seven Lakes, North Cackalacky

Branch of service and anything you’d like to share about your time in service: Hospital Corpsman 3^rd Class, Behavioral Health and Field Medical Technician

Hobbies: Napping, Playing with animals that are not mine, Cooking food that’s barely edible, and seeing how lazy I can actually be on weekends. I am a member of the Ballroom Dance Company, play D&D, and run Spartan races.

Date attendance began at SUU: January 2018

What are you studying and why: I am studying nursing with a minor in theatre. I did well with medicine and enjoyed helping people. I also like making people laugh and entertaining others.

Plans after college: After graduating pre-nursing, I am going to Southwest Tech for the LPN program, then going to Flower Mound Texas to work for a voiceover dubbing company.

Community service/programs: I am a part of the SVA and attend service programs with them.

Any awards at school: This is my first school award.

Any advice for future students: Get involved sooner. Not just with veterans; find something you enjoy with other people. Join a club, volunteer, go outside of your comfort zone and expand yourself. YOLO

GPA:  3.75

Branch of Service: Navy

Date Attendance Began at SUU: August 2019

What Are You Studying and Why: I am studying Art at SUU as a springboard for further education in either Scientific Illustration or UX Design.

Plans After College: Further education in either Scientific Illustration or UX Design.

Community Service/Programs: I volunteer at Community Presbyterian Church as part of the “tech” team to run the services.

Any Awards at School: None from SUU.

Any Advice for Future Students: Curiosity is the spice of life so pursue the things that capture your interest!

Meet Dakota DiGuardi! Dakota served active duty in the Marine Corps for four years. She was stationed in Okinawa, Japan and in Santa Ana, California! After she separated from the Marine Corps in 2019, she moved to Utah to pursue her degree in Family Life and Human Development. She’ll be walking this Spring in the graduation ceremony and officially done with her Bachelors at the end of Summer in which she hopes to be accepted into the Masters program of Social Work at the University of Tennessee. Dakota has enjoyed her time in this gorgeous state but is ready for the next adventure. She is also the President of the Student Veterans of America so with her departure they’ll be looking for a new president, social media coordinator, and treasurer! 

Name: Andrew Harmala

Hometown: Ishpeming, MI

GPA: 3.8

Branch of service: United States Marine Corps

Date entered service: July 16 2002 (I was 17)

Date separated/retired: July 16 2006

Why did you join the military: Since I was a kid the desire to serve my country was strong. I went to my first day of school wearing camouflage.

Any deployments and accomplishments in the military: 2 years on the Security Force at Camp David and 1 combat deployment to Iraq 2005-06.

Date attendance began at SUU: Aug 2018

What are you studying and why: Aviation Pro-pilot. Earning my private pilot last semester I’m currently working on my instrument rating. I’ve always wanted to be a helicopter pilot, so we packed up and came here to follow a dream.

Plans after college:Fly helicopters and get paid for it.

Any advice for future students: Follow your true passions. It’s much better to be happy than rich. I left a couple good paying jobs to come here and learn to fly and I’ve never been happier.

Name: Matthew Bischoff

Hometown: Mariaville, New York

GPA: 3.9

Branch of service: Navy

Date entered service: 2008

Date separated/retired: 2014

Why did you join the military: I joined to help others and to travel the world. My first exposure to aviation came from my time in the military, I learned I loved to fly in helicopters.

What are you studying and why: I am now studying Aviation, flying helicopters at SUU. My goal as a helicopter pilot is to fly search and rescue, and firefighting.

Any advice for future students: My advice for future students is develop an education plan for yourself that is goal oriented yet flexible. Study a lot, but also go have fun. The more your study and prepare for exams, the more free time you have to travel, play outside, and do the things you enjoy.

Name: Cristian Morales

Hometown: Immokalee, Florida

GPA: 3.46

Branch of service: Marine Corps

Date entered service: April 27, 2015

Date separated/retired: March 4, 2019

Date attendance began at SUU: May 13, 2019

Why did you join the military: I wanted to get away from my hometown and see other places while doing something not so ordinary to everyone around me.

What are you studying and why: I am in the aviation program because I’ve wanted to be a pilot for quite some time and then after being in the military I found out I could use my GI Bill Benefits to get my training paid for and at the same time get a bachelor's degree which will only help me in this competitive field, I am currently in my private certification lab in fixed wing.

Plans after college: I plan on flight instructing for some time so I can build some flight time and get more experience and eventually work for an airline.

Community service/programs: I am the Vice-President of the Student Veterans of America club, which is dedicated to helping students come together and have some of that brotherhood experienced while in the service as well as welcoming non veterans students

Any advice for future students: Follow your dreams don’t let someone else dictate what you will do in life because you will be miserable, as they say if you do what you love you won’t work a day in your life.

Name: Phuong Tran

Hometown: Newark, California

Branch of service: US Army

Date entered service: 2009

Date separated/retired: 2015

Why did you join the military: I joined the military because I couldn’t afford to put myself through a traditional 4-year college and my family was financially struggling. Joining the military enabled me to help my parents financially and allowed me to earn my higher education.

Any deployments and accomplishments in the military: I did one rotation to Iraq for Operation Inherent Resolve in 2018-2019. Our mission was to sustain and support the units that made up our FOB. I was in charge of running the clinic and over saw treatments, supply inventory, pharmaceuticals, and helped in advising and guiding my junior soldiers. During my tenure in the military, I won the 16th annual korean speech contest, was vice president of the BOSS program in South Korea, participated in joint training with the Navy and Airforce, assisted in life saving interventions on a soldier while deployed, and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. My awards are as follows, 1 Joint Service Commendation medal, 1 Army Commendation medal, 1 Joint Service Achievement medal, 6 Army Achievement Medal, and 1 Meritorious Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.

Date attendance began at SUU: 26 August 2019

What are you studying and why: I am an Exercise Science major at Southern Utah University. When I first went to college before joining the military, I didn’t know what I wanted to be, but when I was deployed I found a great passion for rehabilitating injured soldiers. The military has offered me many amazing life experiences and have had the opportunity to work with physical therapists from all over the world. I can’t wait to earn my degree and become a physical therapist myself.

Plans after college:After I earn my bachelors degree here at SUU, I plan on applying to the physical therapy program at the University of Utah to earn my Doctorate in Physical Therapy.

Community service/programs:
-Washington Hospital- Newborn Photographer, Emergency Room Attendant, ICU Front desk, and Hospital Front desk (~550 Hours)
-Love and Hope Orphanage (South Korea) - This orphanage are for children with severe disabilities that do not allow the children to perform basic functions of life without assistance. Play with the children, teach basic english, food and clothing donation campaigns. (~200 hrs)
-All Girls High School in Daegu, South Korea- Teach basic english and communication (~50 hrs)
-Camp Walker USO and BOSS events (~200 hrs)

Any awards at school:
Cline and Jane Dahle Scholarship
Utah Education Fund for the Disadvantaged

Any advice for future students: With hard work anything can be possible. Do what makes sense to you and do it to the best of your abilities. I have failed many times, but what matters the most is your reaction to that failure. Are you going to let it beat you, or are you going to keep moving forward? I didn’t do so well in college my first time around, but it has made me that much more determined to be successful now. Never give up, and give it your best shot.

Name: Sondra Jones

GPA: 3.96

Branch of service: Dad was in the Air force, Stepdad was in the Marine Corp and my husband was in the Army

Date attendance began at SUU: Fall 2008

What are you studying and why: I am almost done with a bachelor's degree in Family Life and Human Development and a minor in Psychology. I first want to work in the schools with kids doing counseling and therapy and lifting them and their families no matter what life throws at them. But eventually, my real passion is to work with veterans and their families. As a child who grew up in the armed forces and as a spouse who has now experienced both active duty and becoming the wife of a disabled vet, I feel like I have some good insight and could really help this specific community of people who needs often go unrecognized and unmet.

Plans after college: I am Applying for a Masters in Social Work degree through The University of Utah that has an extension here at SUU. After that, I intend to get a local job either working with families and children in a school setting or in some other venue.

Community service/programs:
I serve on the Gateway Preparatory Academy School Board of Directors. I am also working hard with many in the community to open a new innovative public High School option here in Cedar City. The school, called EDGE High, is set to open with a brand building in fall 2022. The experiences and opportunities this new EDGE High School option will bring to our youth here in Cedar is exciting and I'm grateful to get to be a part of it.

Any awards at school:
I am a part of the local chapter of Kappa KON which is an honor society for students within the top 10% GPA out of all the FLHD and Nutrition program students.

Any advice for future students: Two things: One...Discover and utilize all of the many programs and assistance offered to you and take advantage of them. Many take a little extra work to set in motion but you will be glad that you did in the end.

And Two... Never give up! Go half time if you need to, don't be afraid to ask for help along the way, but never give up on yourself. You will find that the course of your life will change several times before you find the right niche or field for you. Try to tap into what makes you happy and why those things make you so and this can give you the power to find similar things in your chosen field that can bring about that same sense of purpose and fulfillment. True happiness is not a fancy car, a bigger house or a better paying job that makes you millions. It's really about the micro motives; the things that make you smile, light up your face and give you those warm fuzzes. If you can figure out how to acquire those things in your everyday life and give it back in a contributing way to your family, friends and community...Well, that's where the magic happens!