Servicemember Spotlight
Written by Amy Stark
MAE 2010 Volume: 5 issue: 6 (August)
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LUIS H. REYES-AGOSTO
U.S. Air Force
Excelsior College
For Luis H. Reyes-Agosto, an active member of the U.S. Air Force, the pursuit of education has so far spanned three decades. Agosto recalls being a young student in Puerto Rico in 1977 and the long and meaningful journey that brought him to Excelsior College many years later.
“Everything started with my conversation with a military consultant at Excelsior,” he recalled. “She reviewed my unofficial transcripts and congratulated me for all the hard work and mentioned the possibility of completing the coursework needed to graduate through Excelsior. Her attitude and confidence made me curious, and at her suggestion I called and spoke with a military admissions counselor to learn more about it.”
In no time at all, Agosto had enrolled and began earning credits towards a degree in liberal arts. Through CD ROM and online courses, he had the freedom to complete coursework from a distance while interacting frequently online with professors. “My professors were excellent mentors; one of them was a former military member,” he said. “They understood the stress of having to work on papers and tests while carrying on with a military mission. The experience made me one of the most vocal advocates of Excelsior as a first choice of higher education for anyone looking for a military-friendly college.”
Managing course loads is often a big concern among active duty servicemembers, as finding time for school and the work it requires can be challenging. So how did Agosto handle those pressure and deadlines? “The CD ROM and online courses afforded me the opportunity to study after duty hours, during weekends and even while serving in a variety of temporary duty assignments,” he noted. “In addition, my professors were all very understanding and encouraged me to let them know as soon as possible if anything came up that would cause a problem with any of the deadlines. It was such a difference from my previous college experiences with professors and administrations who did not seem to care about anyone or provide much support.”
Agosto is confident that his degree will be a valuable asset in positioning him for a life beyond the military. “My degree enhances my resume and makes me more competitive in today’s job market.” he said. “I attended a handful of job fairs to test the waters and the majority of recruiters asked whether I had a degree and in what area. My professional military education coupled with specialized training and special accesses is a plus, and a higher education degree complements it and opens the door for better paid jobs and excellent entry level opportunities. In addition, it affords me the opportunity to pursue a master’s degree, which I intend to do in the near future.”
Looking at the bigger picture, Agosto believes that many military students who decide they want to pursue their education lack reliable information. Of course, accreditation is a major factor in the selection process, and so is the ability to transfer credits. “Take your time and research among all colleges in your area,” he recommended. “Verify their accreditation, financial aid programs, and whether or not they are military-friendly. Once a selection is made, talk to the military admissions counselors and find out more about their programs, whether or not online and distance learning are available. I called six different times and spoke with counselors and other staff members, and every single time I was treated as if I was their only customer; they all went out of their way to earn my business.”
After a thorough investigation of options and resources, Agosto finally found a college with a professional cadre of support that won his confidence and helped him devise a viable educational plan. “The desire to be an example to my family and to secure a better and brighter future kept me focused on pursuing my goal,” he acknowledged. “I achieved short- and long-term goals in due time and persevered against many odds while I surrounded myself with people who craved a higher education, mentors who always pushed me to excel. The decisive factor was that fortunate day when I walked into Excelsior’s counselor’s office. That opened the door for me and allowed me to fulfill my dream.” ♦
Nominate yourself or someone you know as the subject of a future Servicemember Spotlight feature by contacting MAE Editor Mark Fitzgerald at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .