As a United States Marine Corps Veteran pursuing a graduate degree in Education Policy, Organization & Leadership at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Kevin Lundeen discovered just how much he was capable of achieving both academically and professionally.
Throughout his time at Illinois, Kevin discovered that he learns best when academic theory is directly connected to real-world application. Rather than keeping coursework and professional work separate, he consistently applied what he was learning to workplace initiatives. This approach helped him improve learning experiences, support organizational performance, and solve practical challenges in meaningful ways. Over time, he realized that this integration of theory and practice was where he thrived most.
His experience also strengthened his sense of resilience and discipline. Balancing graduate studies with demanding professional responsibilities required consistency, adaptability, and persistence. Through that process, Kevin gained confidence in his ability not only to support learning and development work, but to lead it.
As an online student, Kevin did not have direct involvement with the Chez Veterans Center, but his identity as a military-connected student still played an important role in shaping his perspective. He encourages future students to recognize that the skills developed through military service—discipline, resilience, adaptability, and mission focus—are powerful strengths in graduate education.
He also emphasizes the importance of connection and support. Graduate school can feel overwhelming at times, but reaching out to faculty, peers, and support systems makes the experience more manageable and meaningful. For Kevin, success came not just from individual effort, but from learning how to engage with resources and apply knowledge in collaborative ways.
Looking back, Kevin would tell his first-semester self to trust the process. The long nights, challenging coursework, and effort to connect theory with practice all contributed to significant personal and professional growth.
After graduation, Kevin plans to continue building his career in learning and talent development, pursue opportunities that expand his impact on workforce development and organizational learning, and earn the Certified Professional in Talent Development credential through the Association for Talent Development. He also hopes to take time to recharge with family before eventually returning to the University of Illinois to pursue a Doctor of Education in Human Resource Development.
