These spouses overcame the challenges of military life to excel in higher education.
The 2024 Military Spouse Student Leadership Awards celebrate 12 military spouse students who embody resilience and leadership, enhancing the educational landscape for their peers and the community at large. These remarkable individuals inspire, motivate and uplift those around them. The students did not need to be in an official leadership role to be eligible.
Here are their stories.
Shantrice Terrell | Master of Business Administration, Troy University | Air Force
As a student in the MBA program at Troy University, Shantrice demonstrates leadership through academic excellence and willingness to assist her peers in overcoming challenges. Despite the rigors of her studies, she consistently maintains a high standard of achievement, serving as an inspiration to others in the program. Shantrice’s commitment to academic excellence not only reflects her personal drive for success, but also inspires her colleagues to strive for their best. Moreover, her willingness to lend a helping hand to her colleagues underscores her exceptional leadership qualities. Whether it’s offering guidance on challenging coursework, providing support during stressful times, or sharing valuable insights from her own experiences, Shantrice goes above and beyond to ensure that her peers have the resources and encouragement they need to succeed. Outside of her academic pursuits, her entrepreneurial endeavors further demonstrate her leadership capabilities. As the founder of Amore Couture Agency, she has taken the initiative to create and build a successful business from the ground up while educating young girls and on the importance of professional attire, going above and beyond by generously providing attire from her own closet to those in need. Shantrice’s innovative leadership sets her apart, and her unwavering commitment to others deserves acknowledgment and recognition. Shantrice’s entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, and drive serve as an inspiration to her fellow peers, showcasing the potential for innovation and leadership within the MBA program.
Kelly Seaines-Taylor | Masters of Arts, Legal Studies, American Military University | Army Reserve
As a full-time working mom of three and the wife of an Army reservist, Kelly is constantly in situations that require leadership skills. From managing the hectic morning routines to coordinating family schedules and supporting her spouse’s military service, every aspect of her life demands strong leadership. In Kelly’s role as a mother, she leads by example by demonstrating the importance of responsibility, time management, and perseverance. By balancing the demands of work, family, and personal goals, she shows her children that with dedication and hard work, anything is possible. In her professional life, leadership means taking initiative, being resourceful, and adapting to change. When Kelly lost her job, she didn’t let it derail her goals. Instead, she found alternative ways to support her family while continuing her education and pursuing new job opportunities. As the wife of a military reservist, leadership takes on a different meaning. It’s about being the pillar of strength and support for her spouse and family during times of deployment and separation. It’s about maintaining a sense of stability and normalcy amidst the unpredictability of military life. On a personal level, leadership is about setting ambitious goals and pushing to achieve them. Whether it’s training for a marathon or pursuing higher education, Kelly leads by example by showing others that it’s possible to pursue your passions and dreams while balancing other responsibilities. Kelly’s life is centered on leading with integrity, empathy, and resilience, and always striving to make a positive impact. Kelly is also involved in the Military Spouses Club at American Military University and in the Order of the Sword and Shield Academic and Professional Honor Society.
Tara Crane | Respiratory Therapy, Casper College | Navy
Tara serves as the PR Officer for the Casper College Veteran’s Club. During her time, she helped organize and advertise the 3rd Annual Veterans Ball that was a massive success and raised money to send five student Veterans to the SVA NatCon. She also carries a 3.8 GPA in the respiratory therapy program which is incredibly challenging. She also serves as a work study student working in the Veterans Resource Center where she assists Veterans by providing guidance in academics and extending resources in our community and beyond that assist veterans with all other needs. Additionally, she is the most active participant in the Veterans club consistently volunteering at every opportunity and has been paramount to its recent success. Tara also does 240 clinical hours at hospitals in Wyoming, Nebraska and Montana each semester.
Laura Easter | Psychology, Rowan College South Jersey | Army
Laura is a military spouse who currently works at Rowan College South Jersey and is also a student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology, as well as a mother to two children. She works closely with military students, whether it is helping them understand their military education benefits or working with them in the Wellness Department on campus. She volunteers her time for the Cumberland County Veterans Suicide Prevention Coalition.
Sarah Zimmerman | Anthropology – Global and Community Health, University of California, Riverside | Marine Corps
Sarah is a USMC spouse and an undergraduate student at University of California, Riverside. In Sarah’s first quarter, she took on a leadership role, serving as Treasurer of the Anthropology Club on campus. In this position, she organized and hosted an impactful “Anthropology of the Military” event in collaboration with the Student Veteran Organization here at UCR. This event fostered important dialogue and understanding about the experiences of student veterans between them and non-military connected students. Her dedication to the field was demonstrated when she received a competitive undergraduate student researcher position. Under the mentorship of the anthropology department chair, she is assisting with “Geographies of Opioid Overdose in the Inland Empire” research. She analyzes qualitative interviews, helping to develop creative ways to distribute results, helping to combat the stigmas surrounding drug use. Aside from her academic and club commitments, she is on the Anthropology Undergraduate Advisory Committee. This role enables her to help shape the future of the program and advocate for fellow students. Sarah’s most recent notable achievement was being asked to serve as an interview panelist for the Veterans Resource Center Director. Despite her numerous commitments, she has maintained an impressive academic record, earning a 4.0 GPA in both the Fall and Winter quarters. Balancing academics with extracurricular leadership and research roles have been difficult for her at times, but it has taught her a lot.
Amanda Dotson | Master of Business Administration, Lakewood University | Army
Amanda Dotson, a dedicated military spouse, embarked on a remarkable educational journey at Lakewood University to ensure uninterrupted schooling amidst mandatory relocations. Her journey with Lakewood began in 2014 when she completed the Paralegal Diploma program. After a hiatus of five years, Amanda returned in 2020, showcasing her unwavering commitment. She not only earned a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies, and has also completed her MBA program with honors at Lakewood University. As a conscientious and engaged student, Amanda has become a valued member of the Lakewood community. Her commitment extends beyond academics, as evidenced by her active involvement in the Delta Epsilon Tau Society and her receipt of the Community Service Award. Professionally, Amanda has donned various roles, including Legal Assistant and Notary, showcasing her versatile skill set. Her extensive volunteer work, from overseeing financial records at the 5th Battlefield Coordination Detachment to organizing food and toy drives for military families, highlights her dedication to service. Amanda’s accolades, including recognition for Excellence in Leadership and Professionalism from the Commanding General of Fort Sill, underscore her outstanding contributions to both Lakewood University and the broader community.
Jennifer Hunt | EdD, Liberty University | Army
Jennifer Hunt is an exceptional example of leadership for our organization. Not only does she manage a household while her husband is away on military duties, but she also manages multiple outside roles and models high standards and integrity while doing it. She serves as a role model for her peers through her own academic excellence and high bar for performance in her work as an academic advisor, all while serving in the Tennessee Air National Guard. Jennifer’s engagement in volunteer work is multifaceted and strives to meet the needs of a variety of individuals. She volunteers her time to help with various schools in the area and is known for her work with the Veterans Day programs with elementary and middle schools. She also volunteers to work with East Tennessee State University’s Bucky’s Food Panty by organizing the Bounty for Bucky program, which raises funds and food for the university food pantry. She also volunteers to help with the St Mary’s School’s field day each year. In addition to this, Jennifer maintains high academic standards and has been able to maintain a wonderful household and high GPA in her doctoral studies.
Marla Bautista | Master’s of Science/Communications, Syracuse University | Army
Marla is an Army wife, mother, student, and entrepreneur. Her passion for giving back to people in need transcends communities. She is currently pursuing a graduate degree at Syracuse University. She has volunteered thousands of hours within the military community as an FRG leader and former president of a spouses’ club. She runs a nonprofit called the Bautista Project, supporting military and veteran-connected families facing food insecurity, helps unhoused community members, and provides support services to organizations supporting both. She truly believes she can change the world and works tirelessly to carry out that belief.
Lizette Salazar | Christian Care & Counseling, Oral Roberts University | Marine Corps
Lizette Salazar’s ability to balance the requirements as a wife and mother, as well as full time work and her undergraduate program is simply second to none, Lizette has been a Marine Corps spouse for much of her young adult life and has been intimately involved in the support of Marine families she and her husband have been assigned. She has been actively involved in Family Readiness Groups that have connected with “stay-behind” family members of deployed Marines. On multiple occasions, Lizette’s efforts with the FRG have been commended by leaders within the command. Lizette is actively involved in her church with hundreds of volunteer hours given to multiple church programs, including prayer meetings, discussion groups, and group activities, while always empathetically supporting families in the congregation. As a student at ORU, she has accumulated 21 credit hours in her Christian Care & Counseling degree while maintaining a 3.85 GPA. She is already enrolled in her next three academic terms. Her Success Coach cited her as the most diligent, disciplined, and dedicated student of her 200-student portfolio.
Elizabeth Hammond | MPA Master’s of Public Administration, Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MIIS) | Army
After devoting over 10 years to her husband’s service, Elizabeth joined the Middlebury Institute as an MPA student in Fall 2022. While at MIIS, Elizabeth founded and led a new student club, worked on a Department of State Diplomacy Lab team project for the U.S. Embassy in Montenegro, and was a graduate assistant in the data analytics lab. In her final year in the lab, she managed a team that built data dashboards for a USAID contractor. Not only was I impressed with her academic and professional background, but I also learned she is the mother of five children and had cared for her husband after a traumatic brain injury. Last semester, Elizabeth reached out to share why she thinks the programs at MIIS are perfect fits for military spouses. She helped MIIS better reach other military spouses by detailing how specific features about the programs such as flexibility and skill-development suit military spouses, who often have to put their careers behind that of their spouse. Now that Elizabeth has graduated, she continues to be a resource for other military spouses. As she was wrapping up her graduate school career, Elizabeth worked in the City of Monterey’s City Manager’s Office and completed her practicum with CASA of Santa Cruz, providing data analysis for programs and training. Elizabeth did all of this while caring for 5 children and while her husband was away for 3 months of training, returning in time for her graduation with distinction.
Tina Outlaw-Waters | Masters in Business Administration, National University | Marine Corps
As a military spouse, Tina has fully embraced the challenges and opportunities that come with this unique lifestyle. Throughout her journey, she has discovered the power of leadership, mentoring, and education in empowering individuals, particularly military spouses, to achieve their goals. Tina’s story exemplifies her commitment to leadership, mentoring fellow military spouses, and her passion for encouraging them to pursue higher education. At her school, Tina has actively demonstrated leadership through various roles and responsibilities. She has been an integral part of the military veteran spouses’ community, providing valuable insights into what shapes the military spouse-student experience. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by military spouses, Tina has taken it upon herself to mentor and support them on their educational journey. One of Tina’s primary goals is to inspire other military spouses to pursue their degrees. By participating in workshops and chat sessions, Tina shares the numerous benefits of education, highlighting success stories of military spouses who have overcome challenges and achieved their dreams. Recognizing the importance of academic support, Tina has actively contributed to tutoring others like herself. As a tutor, she assists students in various subjects, providing guidance, clarifying concepts, and offering study strategies. Leveraging her knowledge and expertise, Tina aims to empower students to excel academically and cultivate a love for learning. Through this role, she not only contributes to the academic success of her peers but also fosters a culture of collaboration and support within the military community.
Migcel Minier Torres | BSN Nursing, University of North Florida | Navy
Migcel is a Navy spouse with three children aged 12, 10, and 6, and her husband is frequently away. Following the loss of many friends and family members due to COVID-19 and observing a shortage of empathetic healthcare providers, she decided to pursue a career in nursing. Currently enrolled in an accelerated nursing program, Migcel manages a demanding schedule that includes three days of clinical courses and two days of lectures each week. Despite her busy schedule, she finds time to spend with her children and volunteers for her school’s Student Health Association, where they provide physicals, vaccines, and primary care to students during class hours. She also volunteers with Meals on Wings, a program delivering individually packed food to low-income elderly residents in Downtown Jacksonville. After graduation, Migcel hopes to continue serving her community, particularly by taking on roles that benefit the Spanish-speaking population. As an immigrant herself, she understands the challenges faced by her community and as a future registered nurse, she aims to provide better resources to help them achieve better health.