Leadership Scholar Program Helps Veteran Achieve Academic Goals

The Leadership Scholar Program (LSP) aims to assist academically and professionally qualified Marines in preparing for and applying to highly selective colleges and universities across the United States.  

After graduating high school in Colombia, retired GySgt Andres Rico immigrated to the United States. Over the next two years, GySgt Rico attended English as a second language classes while working various jobs. Feeling compelled to serve his new country, he enlisted in the Marine Corps two years after his arrival.  

As early as May 2005, at his first duty station, Twentynine Palms, then LCpl Rico, started using tuition assistance to enroll in college courses. 

Throughout his career, which included multiple deployments such as Operation Enduring Freedom and humanitarian missions like the one to Bangladesh in 2007, GySgt Rico pursued higher education, maintaining an impressive GPA of 3.89 across nearly 30 college classes. At each base, he used voluntary education centers for support. 

Approaching retirement, GySgt Rico sought assistance from the Voluntary Education Center at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar. The team at MCAS Miramar introduced him to the LSP, helping him choose schools, review applications, and secure a letter of recommendation from Brig. Gene. Trevor Hall. 

GySgt Rico received admission offers from University of San Diego, University of Michigan, Columbia University, and Princeton University. He selected Princeton due to its alignment with his academic goals. 

For more information about the LSP or tuition assistance, contact the Voluntary Education Center nearest to you.