Our Mobile Training Team Fellows (MTT) are past participants of WSP who have returned to give back to the enlisted community. They represent each branch of service and come from universities across the country. They will spend the summer traveling in teams to various campuses to guide fellow active duty service members and veterans on their academic journeys. Whether their focus is humanities, business, or STEM, our fellows will lead discussions, mentor incoming participants, and change the lives of future WSP alumni.
Conor Abbamonte
Humanities Fellow
Brittany Allen
STEM Fellow
Brittany Andrade
Humanities Fellow
Jennifer Aquino
Humanities Fellow
Michael Baumgarten
Humanities Fellow
Megan Byrd
Humanities Fellow
Xander de los Reyes
Humanities Fellow
Britney Domine
Humanities Fellow
Travis Dozier
Humanities Fellow
Jay Farris
STEM Fellow
Harry Foster
Humanities Fellow
Josh Greer
Humanities Fellow
Joey Grillo
Humanities Fellow
William Hernandez
STEM Fellow
Luke Hixson
STEM Fellow
Patrick Hollenbach
STEM Fellow
Manny Johnson
Humanities Fellow
Robert Liu
Business Fellow
Chadd Lewis
STEM Fellow
Amber Loera
STEM Fellow
Jesse Nuese Yaker
Business Fellow
Tim Raiford
STEM Fellow
Shane Rice
STEM Fellow
Romeo Sarmiento
Humanities Fellow
Jeff Skeen
Humanities Fellow
Shauna Staples
STEM Fellow
Alyna Suarez
Humanities Fellow
Mary Swanson
STEM and Humanities Fellow
Chris Twigg
STEM Fellow
Chris Whitney
Humanities Fellow
Brian Williams
Business FellowConor Abbamonte
Conor Abbamonte served as a military police officer in the Navy for four years. He attended the WSP humanities and STEM course at Yale University in 2017. Conor then went on to attend Columbia University where he majored in political science. He will be enrolling in law school soon and hopes to explore many different aspects of law, including contract law, patent law, and law teaching.
Brittany Allen
Brittany Allen served as a construction mechanic in the Navy for five years. She attended the WSP humanities and STEM course at Princeton University in 2018. She recently graduated from Western Washington University with her bachelor’s degree in biology with a secondary education emphasis. She hopes to become a high school biology teacher and eventually pursue an Ed.D in education leadership.
Brittany Andrade
Brittany Andrade served as a human resources specialist in the Army for seven years. She attended the WSP humanities course at Williams Colleges in 2020. She is currently attending Vassar College where she is studying international studies and sociology. In addition to her classes, she is a student athlete for the Vassar women’s rugby team and president of the Vassar Veterans Association.
Jennifer Aquino
Jennifer Aquino served as a cryptology technician interpreter in the Navy for 14 years. She attended the WSP humanities course at both Harvard and Syracuse in 2021. She is a senior at Syracuse University, majoring in linguistics, and has been teaching both English and Spanish as a second language to adults for the past nine years. While working as a teacher and as a fellow for WSP this summer, she’s also a research assistant for one of her linguistic professors on language, power, and gender, inclusion, and equality on English teaching materials.
Michael Baumgarten
Michael Baumgarten served as an infantryman in the Army for 11 years. He attended the WSP humanities course at the University of California, Irvine in 2020. He is a first-year graduate student at Arizona State University with a B.A. in anthropology and a minor in GIS from California State University Northridge. His field of study is evolutionary anthropology with a focus on the evolution of norms, culture, and human behavior. His work is directed at understanding how veterans move into and out of military service and how the cultures and norms adopted by individuals during their service affect their transition out of the military.
Megan Byrd
Megan Byrd served as an air traffic controller in the Marine Corps for five years. She attended the WSP humanities and STEM course at Texas A&M University in 2020. She is currently attending the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, dual-majoring in biological sciences: BCMB and neuroscience on the pre-medical path. She is involved in a multitude of organizations on and off-campus with leadership roles in some of those organizations, and also works at the Veterans Success Center on campus during the fall and spring semesters. Her current aspirations are to finish her bachelor’s degrees and apply to medical school to pursue surgery in orthopedics or neurosurgery.
Xander de los Reyes
Xander de los Reyes served in the Marine Corps as an infantryman for five years. He attended the WSP humanities course at Syracuse in 2020. Xander graduated from Saddleback College summa cum laude with an associate’s degree in psychology. He also tutored algebra, statistics, and research methodology. Currently, he is studying politics with a minor in ethics at Princeton University, and is a fellow in Princeton’s writing center and the president of the Princeton Transfer Association, a student-led organization that advocates for transfer-friendly policy reform.
Britney Domine
Britney Domine served as an electronics technician in the Navy for six years. She attended the WSP humanities course at Harvard University in 2020 as well as the Community College Workshop at Grossmont College in 2019. She graduated from San Diego State University with a BA in anthropology and American Indian studies, where she worked as a student mentor and grading assistant at the university’s Native Resource Center. She was also a recipient of the Sentinels of Freedom Bridge to Education scholarship.
Travis Dozier
Travis Dozier served as a supply and logistics operations specialist in the Army for 10-plus years. He attended the WSP humanities course at Georgetown University in 2018. He earned his bachelor’s degree in International Relations, to include undergraduate certificates: Afro-Latino studies and Human Rights/political Transitions at Florida International University (Honors College). Travis is currently a graduate student at Florida International University pursuing a master’s degree in International and Intercultural Education, to include a graduate certificate in African and African Diaspora studies. In May 2021, he started a small business called T. Dozier Consulting, which specializes in Academic and Career Life Coaching, DEI Training, and International Travel Advising.
Jay Farris
Jay Farris enlisted in the USMC Reserve in 1992 and transferred to the active duty Army in 1995. During his initial enlistment Jay served as combat medic with the 2nd and 25th Infantry Divisions. In 2000, he was assessed and selected for special forces where he served until his retirement in 2021. During that time Jay served as a special forces medic and later as a team sergeant. It was in his capacity as a team sergeant that Jay found his passion for teaching and mentoring up-and-coming soldiers.
In the summer of 2021, two months before his retirement, Jay had the privilege of attending a WSP humanities course at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The experience from that boot camp motivated Jay to challenge himself academically and pursue a STEM degree. In the spring of 2022, Jay had the honor of being selected to serve as a WSP STEM fellow where he hopes to assist and motivate veterans like himself in their pursuit of higher education.
Mack Fina
Mack Fina served as a crew chief on Black Hawk helicopters in the Army for six years. He attended the WSP humanities course at Cornell in 2020. Mack is a junior at Harvard University, studying Earth and planetary science. He lives in Boston with his partner and various plants that he is struggling to keep alive. In the long term he would like to acquire and run a small business. In the meantime, he would like to work for a previously acquired small business for a few years after graduation, and then begin applying to business schools for an MBA.
Harry Foster
Harry Foster served as a combat engineer in the Marine Corps for three years. He attended the WSP humanities course at Columbia University in 2019. He earned an associate’s degree in English from Saddleback College before transferring to Columbia University in 2020. He is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in English and creative writing from Columbia and is on track to graduate in May 2023. He plans to pursue a career as a college professor along with a professional creative writing career.
Josh Greer
Josh Greer served as an aircraft electrical, instrument, and flight control systems technician in the Marine Corps for five years. He attended the WSP humanities and business course at University of Notre Dame in 2021. After his military service, Joshua worked for a defense aerospace company but soon realized he wanted to continue his education. He enrolled at MiraCosta College, prompting him to attend the 2021 Notre Dame WSP boot camp. Joshua was recently admitted to Princeton University as a transfer student for the 2022 fall semester. Joshua aims to encourage other WSP participants to challenge themselves holistically.
Joey Grillo
Joseph “Joey” Grillo served as an engineer in the Marine Corps for eight years. He attended the WSP humanities course at Columbia University in 2019. He is currently a junior at Williams College, majoring in philosophy and concentrating in cognitive science. His academic interests are in the philosophy of mind, metaphysics, and ethics. Joey is highly passionate about helping veterans realize their academic potential and the opportunities that exist for them outside the service.
RJ Hakes
RJ Hakes served as a master EOD technician in the Navy for 20 years. He attended the WSP humanities course at Harvard University in 2019. He recently graduated Summa Cum Laude from Yale University, where he double majored in classical civilizations and archaeological studies and received distinction in both majors. He was awarded the prestigious Charles Seymour Prize for the highest standing in the humanities, the George Allen Memorial Prize, the Penn Museum Fellowship, and was inducted into the Eta Sigma Phi national honors society for Classical Studies. He was published in the Yale Undergraduate Research Journal and has performed archeological fieldwork at a Neolithic to Roman era site in southern Spain. In the fall he will begin a Masters program in Archaeology at the Yale Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.
William Hernandez
William Hernandez served as a nuclear propulsion plant operator in the Navy for nine years. He attended the WSP humanities and STEM course at Yale University in 2017 and has been involved with WSP ever since. He recently graduated from the University of Colorado-Boulder with a bachelor’s degree in astronomy and astrophysics. William is pursuing a career that would benefit communities like the one in which he was raised.
Luke Hixson
Luke Hixson served as a fleet Marine force corpsman in the Navy for five years. He attended the WSP humanities course at University of California, Irvine in 2020 and the WSP STEM course at Princeton University in 2021. He enrolled at Princeton University as an undergraduate in 2021, where he is currently pursuing his A.B. in Neuroscience on a pre-med track and a certificate in global health and health policy.
Patrick Hollenbach
Patrick Hollenbach served as an electronics technician in the Navy for six years. He attended the WSP humanities and STEM course at the University of Arizona in 2019. During his service, he discovered his passion for electronics and electrical systems, which motivated him to pursue a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. He is currently a senior electrical engineering student at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and will graduate in December 2022. Patrick plans to pursue a career in power and control electronics.
Manny Johnson
Manny Johnson has been serving as a public affairs specialist in the Marine Corps since 2013. He attended the WSP humanities course at Cornell University in 2019, and has been volunteering as an alumni ambassador for WSP since 2020. Manny earned a bachelor’s degree in management from American Military University in 2019 and earned his master’s degree in international relations from Liberty University in 2021. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in communications from Liberty University. Manny wants to pursue a career as a foreign service officer in the State Department and serve as a spokesperson for an NGO.
Robert Liu
Robert Liu served as an aviation supply specialist in the Marine Corps for four years. He attended the WSP humanities and STEM course at the University of Notre Dame in 2018. Robert is a senior at Texas A&M University, pursuing his bachelor’s degree in accounting and master’s degree in management information systems. During the school year, he serves as a small group leader for the Aggie Accounting Association. He plans to pursue a career in public accounting after graduation.
Chadd Lewis
Chadd Lewis serves as a field radio operator in the Marine Corps Reserves. He attended the WSP humanities and STEM course at Yale University in 2021. Chadd is currently attending Rowan University, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, and plans to pursue a career as a neurosurgeon. Chadd is a member of the NAACP and Sigma Alpha Lambda.
Amber Loera
Amber Loera served as an aviation electronics technician on P-3 Orion’s and E-2 Hawkeyes in the Navy for four years. Amber attended the WSP humanities and STEM course at Yale in 2021. After the Navy, Amber worked as a civilian aircraft mechanic for eight years at the Navy’s Top Gun squadron. Amber attended San Diego Community College and will be transferring in fall 2022 to the University of California to pursue a bachelor’s degree in public health. Amber both works and volunteers as a certified EMT.
Jesse Nuese Yaker
Jesse Nuese Yaker served as an infantryman and a paratrooper in the Army for four years. He attended the WSP humanities course at University of Chicago in 2015. After separating from the service, he attended Community College of Denver before transferring to Columbia University. Currently, he is a MA candidate at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, studying international business. In addition to serving as a senior business fellow with Warrior-Scholar Project, Jesse is a Service to School ambassador and works as a cyber threat intelligence analyst for Recorded Future.
Tim Raiford
Tim Raiford served as a submarine nuclear reactor supervisor in the Navy for 10 years. He attended the WSP humanities course at Cornell University in 2019. Tim is currently a junior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he is studying economics, and hopes to enter management consulting or financial services post-graduation.
Shane Rice
Shane Rice served as an infantry mortarman in the Marine Corps for four years. He attended the WSP humanities course at the University of Michigan in 2021 and the WSP STEM course at the University of Arizona in 2021. He is currently a sophomore at Harvard College, studying archaeology. Shane looks forward to attending graduate school before seeking a career in public service.
Romeo Sarmiento
Romeo Sarmiento served as an infantry assaultman in the Marine Corps for seven years. He attended the WSP humanities course at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2021. Romeo was a SVA President at Tidewater Community College, a copywriter for Service to School, and a recipient of the Posse Foundation Veterans Scholarship. He is currently a student at the University of Virginia, majoring in political science/economics. Romeo plans to apply to law school during his final year.
Jeff Skeen
Jeff Skeen served as a motor vehicle operator in the Marine Corps for four years. He attended the WSP humanities and STEM course at Yale in 2021. Jeff graduated from MiraCosta College with his associates degree in 2020 and has committed to Brown University, class of 2026. He intends to pursue a concentration in contemplative studies and philosophy.
Shauna Staples
Shauna Staples served as a nuclear electricians mate in the Navy for six years. She attended the WSP humanities and business course at the University of Notre Dame in 2021. Shauna is now an upcoming sophomore at the University of Notre Dame, majoring in neuroscience and English. She intends to pursue medical school after graduation.
Alyna Suarez
Alyna Suarez serves as a logistics specialist in the Navy Reserves. She attended the WSP humanities course at Columbia University in 2021. She earned two associates degrees in sociology and political science. Now, while still a drilling reservist, she is finishing up her bachelor’s degree in sociology at California State University, Chico. Once completed, Alyna plans to pursue social work and obtain her master’s degree from University of Southern California.
Mary Swanson
Mary Swanson served as an ammunition technician in the Marine Corps for eight years. She attended the WSP humanities and STEM course at Texas A&M University in 2019. She graduated from the University of Southern Maine (USM) with a degree in psychology minoring in political science. While at USM, Mary served as the president of USM’s Chapter for SVA and was nominated for Student Veteran of the Year in 2018. Mary also served as the parliamentarian for USM’s Student Senate in her senior year. She currently interns part-time at Dain Walker Sobhani & Nicolo Attorneys & Counsellors at Law and serves as a Service to School law school ambassador. Mary is a rising 2L at the University of The District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law with the aspirations of becoming first a child advocate attorney and then a judge.
Chris Twigg
Chris Twigg served as an infantryman and paratrooper in the Army for five years. In 2021, he attended both the WSP humanities course at Amherst College and the STEM course at the California Institute of Technology. He left the Army in 2019 and enrolled at the University of Michigan, majoring in biology. In addition to being a full-time student, Chris also works as a firefighter/EMT. He is interested in continuing his education with a focus on medicine and the natural world.
Chris Whitney
Chris Whitney served as a mortuary affairs specialist in the Army for eight years. In 2021, he attended both the WSP humanities course at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the STEM course at Princeton University. After a 14-year break from formal education, he obtained his associate’s degree in business administration from Tidewater Community College. Chris currently attends Old Dominion University where he is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in supply chain management and data analytics and serves as the SVA chapter president.
Brian Williams
Brian Williams served as an infantry assaultman and combat marksmanship instructor in the Marine Corps for over six years. He attended the WSP humanities and business course at the University of Notre Dame in 2021. He is currently enrolled at Orange Coast College in Orange County, California where he enjoys studying, surfing, and scaling Southern California’s mountains. He is looking to transfer to a university soon.