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Why Anderson Works So Well For Veterans and Active Military

Our highest-ranking student, U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Chris Lee (EMBA ’23), describes the fit and gives a special Veterans Day message

THANK
YOU

November 11

When military veterans leave service, we bring with us real-world leadership experience that most other MBA students have yet to learn. However, we also know that we need to catch up in important areas like accounting, statistics and financial modeling. I knew that if I were to pursue my dreams of running my own business someday, I would need to improve in these areas. Earning an MBA at Anderson is how I chose to fill those gaps and, predictably, it was a great choice.

What I did not predict was the incredibly supportive and collaborative broader network of alumni who had been members of the Association of Veterans at Anderson (AVA) while they studied here. I would not be where I am today if it were not for them.

It’s why I chose to get involved with AVA — because of the enduring commitment of its members. Even after graduation, alumni connect with current students to help them successfully pivot into the next phase of their careers. I want to continue that tradition and leave no AVA member behind.”

Alexander Corbett (’23)
President, Association of Veterans at Anderson

On Veterans Day, we honor those who serve and have served in our nation’s armed forces. Military service requires many sacrifices: time with family and friends, personal goals and interests, and the physical and mental well-being often tested by the experience.

I’m proud that the UCLA Anderson community of students, alumni, staff, faculty and donors includes many veterans from all branches of the military. Individually and collectively, they have a profound influence on Anderson, through their dedication and discipline, their teamwork and their bold approach to new ideas. Anderson’s veterans also embody our school’s values to share success, think fearlessly and drive change. I’m gratified that the Anderson experience has enabled so many veterans to pursue their education and make successful transitions to civilian lives and careers.

Please join me this Veterans Day and throughout the year in honoring those who have served.”

Tony Bernardo
Dean and John E. Anderson Chair in Management

From Service to Students
 
UCLA Anderson is proud to count among its student body more than 130 active military and veterans, who bring a sense of mission, organization and commitment to their education — and to the business world after graduation. Here are just a few of our students and their diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Courage at Work
 
Listen for Inspiration
 
UCLA Anderson students and alumni tell uplifting stories about where they’ve been and what’s next in their lives and careers.
Ryals and Smith


Teamwork — in the Navy SEALs and Business School

U.S. Navy Captain Gary Ryals (’08) and Duncan Smith (’91), retired U.S. Navy SEAL officer

Balancing Everything

Class of 2020 graduate and John Wooden Global Leadership Fellow Rob Busalacchi is an investment banking associate at Barclays. He looks back on his experience balancing priorities while he went through the FEMBA program as a former U.S. Marine. Featuring: Rob Busalacchi (’20), Investment Banking Associate, Barclays

From Marine to Movie Maker

Why does a U.S. Marine Corps veteran earn an MBA from UCLA Anderson? And what can his military training teach the rest of us about dealing with COVID-19? Joel Searls reflects on these topics as well as his decision to reinvent himself as an associate producer of a feature-length Hollywood movie, Running with the Devil (2019), starring Nicholas Cage and Laurence Fishburne. Featuring: Joel Searls (’17), Investment Banking Associate, McCafferty & Company

Honoring Veterans Day

Four great voices in the FEMBA Class of 2022 chimed in to describe how UCLA Anderson is bridging their world-class military training with new corporate chapters in their careers. Austin Carroll Keeley, a U.S. Marine Corps. infantry officer who describes military service as public service, invited U.S. Navy Lieutenant Stacey Mercado (B.A. ’12), U.S. Coast Guard veteran Bob DeLullo and U.S. Air Force Captain Jamie Long to talk about where they started life, what their service has entailed and what’s next as they pursue their degrees.

The Honor Is Ours
 
UCLA Anderson is proud to count numerous military veterans among our John Wooden Global Leadership Fellows.
Wooden Fellows Veterans

“Success is peace of mind that is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to become the best you are capable of becoming.”
— Coach John Wooden

“As a transitioning veteran, this quote helps remind me that hard work is done for self-satisfaction and rewarded by peace of mind. At the end of each day, I find comfort in knowing that if I dedicate 100 percent of myself to personal and professional growth, achievement is merely a side benefit.”

Captain Luke Goessman (EMBA ’18), U.S. Marine Corps

Bring Us Your Sense of Mission
 
UCLA Anderson proudly counts active-duty military, reservists and veterans among its student body across degree programs.

EBV trains veterans for a new kind of challenge.

The Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV) offers cutting-edge, experiential training in entrepreneurship and small business management to soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines disabled as a result of their service to operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

LEARN MORE

Five Questions With
 
Financial Aid for Military
 
UCLA Anderson has options for you.
Post-9/11 GI Bill® & Yellow Ribbon Program

Mandatory student charges will be covered up to your eligibility percentage.

Application Fee Waivers

Application fee waivers are available for all U.S. military applicants. To request a fee waiver for the program you’d like to apply to, please reach out directly to MBA Admissions, FEMBA Admissions or EMBA Admissions.

Fellowships

Even if you are not eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® Yellow Ribbon Program, all full-time MBA students are automatically considered for fellowships. No separate application is needed.

Resources
 
Association of Veterans at Anderson

A professional club at UCLA Anderson for all military veterans, both U.S. and foreign: Association of Veterans at Anderson

Connect with an MBA student

UCLA Veteran Resource Center

UCLA provides a wealth of resources for active-duty military service people and veterans: veterans.ucla.edu

Follow UCLA veterans on Facebook

Financial Aid for Military

Even if you are not eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® Yellow Ribbon Program, all full-time MBA students are automatically considered for fellowships. No separate application is needed.

UCLA Resources for Veterans
 
resources

UCLA Veterans Facebook Group

Facebook page maintained by the Veterans Resources Center, where you can find out about events and important resources for Vets @UCLA

Resources

UCLA Veterans Resource Office

UCLA has been serving veterans for nearly 70 years! Whether through on- or off-campus support for student veterans, UCLA serves those who serve in myriad ways.

Learn About the Organizations That Advance Our
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Mission
 
Women@Anderson
Black@Anderson
Veterans@Anderson
LGBTQ@Anderson
Latinx@Anderson
Asian@Anderson