By: Kris Yvonne Spivey
UAGC Alumni, BA in Health & Wellness
As the wife and caregiver of a 100% combat-injured Marine Corps amputee, I felt a deep calling to volunteer with veteran service organizations and nonprofits that support our country’s heroes. This journey led me back to school in 2020 to pursue a B.A. in Health and Wellness with an emphasis on Public Health through the University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC). My decision was rooted in recognizing the critical connections between spiritual, financial, mental, social, and physical health. Seeing so many veterans and law enforcement agents struggle with the strain of adverse health habits, I wanted to understand how to best support this community. I knew from the start that after graduation, I wanted to give back to those who serve by working with either Federal or State Law Enforcement or within the VA.
During my final year at UAGC, I met Laurissa Armstead, my advisor with the CHAMPS mentoring program where I volunteered as a peer mentor. After learning about my military affiliation, she encouraged me to join Student Veterans of America (SVA). Within two months of joining our university’s chapter, I was serving on the Cabinet as the Executive Administrator. At the time, I knew very little about the organization. I simply saw that our UAGC Chapter was working tirelessly to create spaces where military-affiliated students felt seen, heard, and included. In a global online environment where students are unlikely to ever meet in person, the traditional college experience can feel out of reach. I was thrilled to find a dedicated group of students, faculty, and advisors supporting educational goals while helping peers find their community again.
I soon realized the massive scale of SVA’s national organization and its profound impact on the wellbeing of veterans and their families. Through chapter events, conferences, and fellowships, SVA truly connects change. While I was serving as the EA for my chapter, applications for the SVA Leadership Institute (LI) fellowship opened, and Laurissa once again encouraged me to apply. In October 2025, I became an SVA Fellow after attending the institute in Washington, D.C. There, I was fortunate to meet incredible mentors and fellow students involved in phenomenal philanthropic work across the country.
Mentors like Dave Bradt, Priya Sage, and Caitlin Van Dam challenged me to see myself differently. My confidence grew throughout the week, and their support continued long after the program ended. Priya and Caitlin helped me refine my resume and encouraged me to view my skills through a new lens, while Dave hosted follow-up sessions where our cohort shared the powerful initiatives, we were championing. The pride and self-efficacy that SVA provides to students truly opened doors I never would have imagined knocking on before.
At the end of 2025, I graduated Summa Cum Laude from UAGC. It has been a beautiful, full-circle journey. This past December, I proudly accepted a full-time position as a Health
and Wellness Coach for the Endeavors CBP Workforce Wellness Program. Thanks to the unwavering encouragement of my SVA advisors, mentors, and fellow students, I am truly living my dream.
Thank you.