David Contreras

Fellow

David Contreras served five years in the United States Marine Corps as an Infantryman and Embassy Guard before beginning his transition into higher education. Along the way, he participated in multiple Warrior-Scholar Project programs, including Yale Online Humanities (2023), MIT STEM (2024), and the University of Notre Dame Business program (2025), each helping him strengthen his academic foundation and explore new opportunities.

After completing his Associate in Science degree at Harper College, David began preparing for transfer to a four-year university, with plans to study Business Administration at USC Marshall School of Business. A member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, he finished his final semester on the President’s List and continues to challenge himself both academically and personally.

Beyond the classroom, David recently completed the Chicago Marathon while raising funds for Team World Vision’s clean water initiatives. He also has a long-standing passion for the performing arts, having studied at The Second City, competed in the Chicago August Wilson Monologue Competition, and attended Northwestern University’s Cherubs film program. Whether through academics, athletics, or performance, David is driven by curiosity, creativity, and a commitment to personal growth.