Student Spotlight: Catherine Escobar, U.S. Army

Yale University All Women Cohort

What was your educational experience prior to WSP? Would you consider yourself a confident student? 

Before WSP, I obtained an associate’s degree from a community college. I then attended a four-year school for a bit before joining the military. As I am getting ready to go back to school, I realized that I needed support in getting back to academic reading and writing basics. After taking part in the Warrior-Scholar Project at Yale, I am much more confident in my success getting back into the classroom. 

Had you participated in any sort of virtual learning before? If so, how does your WSP experience compare to that? 

Like many others, I had to take my learning experience virtually due to the pandemic. During those times, I struggled to connect with my peers and faculty. In comparison, at WSP, I engaged with every single one of the other participants, fellows, tutors, and professors about the readings and our writing assignments. I also obtained specialized attention from instructors who catered to my academic needs and extended their hand in help in and outside of the classroom from beginning to end. 

Why were you excited to participate in WSP this summer? 

I heard many great things about the program from an alum and current fellow. He told me the program would help me get ready to return to school. I wanted to be part of a network of students with a similar background who faced the same challenges in transitioning from the military to college students. 

What have you learned so far that you think will be helpful as you pursue your degree? 

I learned so much from WSP, from properly reading and writing academic papers to how to access the different resources that colleges offer for student veterans. 

Are there any instructors or fellows who have made a difference for you?

All the fellows and instructors were helpful. They went above and beyond to make a difference in my academic path. Not only that, but they all opened their doors to an extended chain of communication that I feel I can make use of without hesitation. 

Is WSP having any effect on how confident you feel as a student? 

Definitely, I feel fired up after attending WSP. I am more confident now than I was before participating at Yale. I feel that I belong at a good university and will successfully finish my degree.