As he prepares to graduate from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a degree in Management, Julian Garza reflects on the resilience, community, and support that shaped his journey as a military-connected student.

For Julian, one of the biggest lessons he learned during his time at Illinois was recognizing the strength he carried with him from his military service. “Resilience from the military has helped carry myself through my bachelor’s,” he shared. That perseverance helped him navigate the challenges of student life while balancing the transition from military service to higher education.

A strong support system played an important role in helping Julian stay grounded throughout his college experience. He credits the community around him for helping make the transition smoother and reminding him that he did not have to go through it alone.

One of his favorite memories at the Chez Veterans Center was collaborating with Garret and Dustin to create a marketing brochure for the center. The experience allowed him to contribute to a community that supports fellow veterans and military-connected students while building meaningful connections along the way.

Julian encourages incoming military-connected students to get involved early and build relationships within the campus community. His advice is simple but impactful: “Be a part of the CVC and make connections and grow a group of likeminded individuals. You are not alone on campus!”

When reflecting on what he would tell himself during his first semester at Illinois, Julian offers reassurance that many students can relate to: “Everything is going to be okay!”

After graduation, Julian is looking forward to beginning the next chapter of his journey by entering the workforce and putting his skills and experiences into action.

His story is a reminder that resilience, community, and connection can make all the difference in the transition from military service to student life.