Warrior-Scholar Project Launches Historic Partnership with HBCU Fayetteville State University

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C., (May 26, 2022) — National nonprofit Warrior-Scholar Project (WSP) is thrilled to announce that it has partnered with Fayetteville State University (FSU) to help veterans succeed in higher education – making FSU the first historically black university to host a WSP academic boot camp. The partnership is the latest significant step the university has taken to increase veteran and multi-generation student support. FSU will host its first WSP Humanities Academic Boot Camp from June 11-18. Perspective students can apply by visiting warrior-scholar.org/apply.

“As a premier destination for military-connected students, Fayetteville State University is proud to host the first Warrior-Scholar Project boot camp at an HBCU to prepare enlisted veterans to succeed in their post-military careers,” said FSU Chancellor Darrell T. Allison. “Just like the military-connected students who call Bronco Nation their ‘home,’ we have embraced an institutional commitment to serving our community and those who have sacrificed in the defense of our nation.”

During the WSP-FSU Academic Boot Camp, participants will have the opportunity to learn from FSU faculty, receive mentoring from fellow student veterans, and begin to adjust to a formal learning environment. A recent study by the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families found that WSP is the only national program of its kind dedicated to veterans that not only provides targeted support for academic success, but also improves social connection and relationships with both faculty and nonveteran students.

“Transitioning from the military into an educational setting can be daunting, but we want to show enlisted veterans that their unique skills, viewpoints, and experiences are not only welcomed, but they enrich any campus, including ours,” said Siobhan R. Norris, FSU Associate Vice Chancellor for Military Affairs and Army veteran.

As a pillar of its mission, WSP is dedicated to addressing the education gap that exists for enlisted service members and veterans, particularly those from marginalized communities, and the partnership allows the nonprofit to deepen its commitment to supporting people of color in higher education.

“WSP knows that the diverse experiences of those who serve provide them with a unique skill set to be successful in higher education and beyond. Our partnership with Fayetteville State University allows us to better serve all veterans and increase access to quality higher education,” said WSP CEO Ryan Pavel. “We are incredibly excited to expand our program to FSU and bring this life-changing experience to a historically black college campus.”

WSP launched its first boot camp at Yale University in 2012 with nine participants. Since then, the program has expanded to 24 of America’s top schools and has helped nearly 2,000 veterans get a head start in higher education.

About Warrior-Scholar Project

Warrior-Scholar Project (WSP) empowers enlisted veterans and service members to excel at four-year universities. Through intensive and immersive one- to two-week academic boot camps, participants gain skills required for success and support for the cultural shift from the military to higher education at top-tier schools. Throughout WSP’s free resident education programs, students are traditionally housed on campus, and engage in challenging discussions with accomplished professors, receiving tailored instruction on key skills like analytical reading and college-level writing. Warrior-Scholar Project is a national nonprofit with programs at public and private colleges and universities across the country. For more information, visit www.warrior-scholar.org.