--- title: "Veteran Student Feature" description: "From Service to Purpose: How Marine Veteran Eric Nava is Leading with Heart and Vision" url: "https://www.apuglobal.edu/post/veteran-student-feature" author: "APU Global" date: "2025-05-28" category: "Student Stories" --- # Veteran Student Feature _From Service to Purpose: How Marine Veteran Eric Nava is Leading with Heart and Vision_ **In short:** From Service to Purpose: How Marine Veteran Eric Nava is Leading with Heart and Vision ## From Service to Purpose: How Marine Veteran Eric Nava is Leading with Heart and Vision This veteran student feature highlights how military experience translates into academic momentum at APU Global, where veterans earn credit for service training and study in flexible online terms. First image is of Eric conducting outreach alongside the VA and the second is of Eric in Helmand Province, Afghanistan After years of [military](/military) service and nonprofit advocacy, U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Eric Nava, knows that leadership doesn’t end when the uniform comes off, it evolves. Now pursuing his Master’s in [Organizational Leadership](/programs/organizational-leadership-ba) at APU Global, Eric is equipping himself with new tools to continue his mission-driven work through the Veteran Legacy Legal Project, a nonprofit he founded to support fellow veterans and law enforcement officers. With help from the VA’s Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Voc Rehab) program, Eric’s academic journey has been both transformational and financially supported – giving him the flexibility to pursue graduate school while continuing to serve his community. We caught up with Eric to hear more about his journey and how he’s turning purpose into action: What inspired you to pursue your degree at APU Global? As a Marine Corps [veteran](/military) and founder of the Veteran Legacy Legal Project, I’ve seen how education empowers veterans and law enforcement to thrive in their next chapter. APU Global’s faith-based mission and focus on leadership resonated deeply with my Christian values and commitment to service. Pursuing a Master’s in [Organizational Leadership](/post/how-to-earn-your-master-s-degree-in-organizational-leadership-online) was a calling to grow as a leader and better serve my community. APU Global’s flexible, online program made it possible to balance my nonprofit work and family while chasing this goal. How did your VA benefits support you in your education? The VA’s Vocational Rehabilitation program was a game-changer for me. Voc Rehab covered my tuition at APU Global, provided a stipend for living expenses, and even helped with supplies, removing the financial stress of grad school. Without it, balancing my nonprofit and family responsibilities while studying would’ve been nearly impossible. I’m incredibly grateful for Voc Rehab’s support, which allowed me to focus on my coursework and grow as a leader. What does earning your degree mean to you personally? Working toward my Master’s is a deeply personal mission. It’s about honoring my service by equipping myself to lead with greater impact, whether through my nonprofit or mentoring veterans. Every step in this journey feels like a commitment to becoming the leader I’m called to be, and that means everything to me. Were there any challenges you overcame while pursuing your degree? Balancing grad school with running a nonprofit and raising a family was no small feat. Time management was my biggest challenge, writing papers after long days of advocacy work often tested my resolve. As a veteran, transitioning to academic life also required a mental shift. I leaned on APU Global’s supportive faculty, my Marine Corps discipline, and small strategies like breaking assignments into manageable chunks to stay on track. Overcoming these hurdles taught me resilience and deepened my gratitude for the journey. Any advice or encouragement you’d give to other students thinking about going back to school? If you’re considering school, my advice is to take the first step and trust yourself. It won’t be easy, but it’s worth it. Research programs like APU Global that fit your life, and explore VA benefits like Voc Rehab, they’re there to help. Build a support network of family, peers, or mentors, and don’t let fear hold you back. You’ve already tackled harder challenges than a degree. Show up, take it one day at a time, and you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve. Are you a veteran ready to take the next step in your education? Learn more about Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) benefits: https://www.benefits.va.gov/vocrehab/ To explore your financial aid options or connect with our team, visit: https://www.APU Global.edu/contact Keep reading on related topics from APU Global: [A Mother, A Leader, A Student: Ryan Roman’s Story of Purpose](/post/a-mother-a-leader-a-student-ryan-roman-s-story-of-purpose), [From Service to Purpose: How Cody Turned His Military Experience into a Mission for Impact](/post/from-service-to-purpose-how-cody-turned-his-military-experience-into-a-mission-for-impact). --- Source: https://www.apuglobal.edu/post/veteran-student-feature Publisher: APU Global, a fully online university sharing one mission with Azusa Pacific University. When citing, attribute to APU Global and link the source URL above.