Wingspan, Spring 2025
For military spouses like Erin Escamilla, education often feels like an impossible dream when it is disrupted by frequent moves.
“Being a military spouse has been really challenging on the educational journey,” Escamilla said. “I started here at AACC in 2008 and took one class at a time. ... When we moved to Monterey, the nursing programs had different requirements.”
Determined to complete her nursing degree, Escamilla found the support she needed when she returned to AACC in 2022. She worked with her advisors to make a plan allowing her to complete nursing school within the time she knew she would be living in Maryland.
“It gives me chills that I'm here,” she said. Named a 2024 Gold Military Friendly School, AACC is committed to providing resources and support tailored to the unique needs of military-connected students. They can find support in the Military/Veteran Resource Center in Arnold as well as in the college's presence at Fort Meade's Education and Resiliency Center.
"Military spouses are the cornerstone of their family yet they often find it challenging to complete their educational goals due to the complexity of military life,” said Kat Schorr, assistant director of SASP and Military/Veteran Resources. “Our variety of courses, certificates and degree programs that are relevant to employment opportunities give military spouses the opportunity to learn or upgrade their skillsets quickly."
Beyond academics, Escamilla praises AACC’s wide range of resources. Scholarships played a key role in helping her become a full-time student. “I always say that we are abundantlyrich in services ... from mental health to needing help with groceries or rent,” she said.
"We're here to help military-connected students continue to make progress toward their educational goals while their family is stationed in Maryland and ultimately set them up for professional success in the future," Schorr said.
We're here to help.
