Soldier for Life: Ranger veterans cultivate network at Columbia University

Participants of Army Ranger Lead The Way Fund’s Collegiate Access Program Gain Acceptance to Prestigious Academic Programs

MANHASSET, N.Y., June 26, 2017 — Mike Nolin and Levi Schmitt, two participants in Army Ranger Lead The Way Fund’s Collegiate Access Program (CAP), have been accepted to attend Columbia University’s undergraduate program. In addition, both Schmitt and Nolin have been invited to take part in the prestigious Warrior-Scholar Project (WSP) before enrolling at Columbia. Nolin, who is a Purple Heart Recipient, will be attending a WSP course hosted by Texas A&M in the Spring. Schmitt will be attending a WSP course at University of Michigan this Fall.

The WSP empowers enlisted military veterans by providing them with a skill bridge that enables a successful transition from the battlefield to the classroom and increases the confidence they will need to successfully complete a rigorous four-year undergraduate program at a top-tier school.

Schmitt and Nolin credit Army Ranger Lead The Way Fund with providing the resources to encourage and assist their academic trajectories. CAP is designed to help Rangers returning from active duty as they navigate through the reintegration process. Ultimately, the central mission of CAP rests on providing the professional and academic support needed to ensure that Rangers have a rewarding and prosperous civilian life.

“This is a great result for our guys. We’re always excited to help Rangers seek out new opportunities,” said Myles Grantham, who coordinates the Collegiate Access Program (CAP). “And even as they start their academic careers, Army Ranger Lead The Way Fund will continue to help them achieve their goals.”

Upon completing the WSP course and enrolling at Columbia, Nolin says he hopes to join either the Columbia golf team or football team. Meanwhile, Schmitt says he is eager to gain access to the Columbia engineering department’s MakerSpace and become more familiar with the technology of 3D printing. He is also looking forward to joining the Columbia Against Modern Slavery Club so he can coordinate the group’s efforts with those of the HERO Corps program to combat human trafficking on a wider scale.

For more information on our CAP program please visit our website at www.leadthewayfund.org or email [email protected] with questions.

Army Ranger Lead The Way Fund, Inc., A 501c3 Non-Profit, Is An Active Duty, Casualty Assistance, Recovery, Transition And Veterans Organization That Provides Financial Support, Beyond What The Government And Veterans Affairs Can Offer, To U.S. Army Rangers And The Families Of Those Who Have Died, Have Been Disabled Or Who Are Currently Serving In Harm’s Way Around The World.

# # #