University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
11/11/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/11/2024 09:59
National Veterans and Military Families Month at UWO highlights service, opportunity
In addition to her studies UW-Oshkosh, student Anastasha Westbrook serves with the Army National Guard.
November is National Veterans and Military Families Month and at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, more than 500 students receive veteran education benefits-about half of which are veterans or current service members.
Marshfield native, Anastasha Westbrook, a member of the Army National Guard, is using her GI Bill benefits to attend college as a Titan. In this Q & A and video, Westbrook, who is majoring in biomedical science and minoring in chemistry, shares how her experience in the military has helped her be a better student and why getting a four-year degree is part of her plan to become a veterinarian.
When you were a little kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? Was college something that you thought about? Was it something your parents encouraged?
As a toddler, Ana Westbrook was part of her mom's Allyssa Lenzo's high school graduation. Westbrook earned her undergraduate degree at UWO in 2022.
Since I was a little kid, I always wanted to be a veterinarian. College was always something that I thought about since it was something that my mom told me that you would need to be successful in life. Mom went to college under tough circumstances. She was 16, and my dad was 17, when they had me. At that point, they hadn't even finished high school. They got divorced when I was four. As a single parent, my mom first earned her associate's degree and then her bachelor's. She now works as a case manager for a health care company. She worked hard and found ways to pay for her education. She believed that I could learn the same life lessons about being independent, so I had to find a way to pay for college myself. I was worried about the amount of money that it would cost to go to college, so I explored multiple options, and I thought that the Army National Guard would help me to pay for college without large amounts of debt.
What motivated you to do well in school? I've always been an honor roll student; I think what motivated me so much was wanting to get into a good college, and eventually to veterinary school. It also helped that my mom didn't want me to bring home bad grades.
What made you decide to apply for the Honors College at UW-Oshkosh?
I liked the fact that they had smaller classes and more options for classes. They also had great opportunities for study abroad, and it looks good on a resume.
What do you do in the Army National Guard?
I am part of Echo Company of the 132nd Brigade Support Battalion. I'm a Tactical Power Generator Specialist, in simpler terms, a generator mechanic. I can fix generators that can power anything from a tent to a large building. Although since the generators don't break down too often, I work on a lot of trucks too. I go to drill once a month and for a couple of weeks in the summer.
UWO student Anastasha Westbrook works on a generator as a member of the Army National Guard.
How do you juggle being a student and an active member of the military?
Often, it can be hard, but most of the time, I will try to do homework while I am at drill once I finish my work for the day. Sometimes I just have to stay up late during the week and get as much done as possible before I leave and when I get back. Sometimes, I don't juggle it well. Most professors are understanding and give me accommodations when I have issues finishing the work or just need extra time.
What does it mean to you when you put on that uniform?
When I put on my uniform, I am supporting my community and my country. I feel proud of myself for doing something that not many other people want to do. I also get to see my second family when I put on that uniform. I have made some amazing friends while in this uniform, I have friends all the way from Korea to California.
What does the GI Bill mean to you?
The GI Bill means a lot to me, it allows me to go to school debt-free and focus on my career outside of school instead of worrying about how I am going to pay back all the debt that I have built. It gives me peace of mind and takes a lot of stress off my plate.
How has the Veterans Resource Center helped you in your college journey? What do you do now as a student worker in the VRC?
I was completely lost on how to apply for military benefits when I first came here to Oshkosh, and I was really struggling financially, so I came to the VRC for some help. They were able to walk me through the process. Once I was back on my feet, they offered me a position as a Project student. Now I help students who may have had the same struggles I did and also plan events as well as take care of projects around the office.
Student-soldier Anastasha Westbrook, right, is mentored by Morgan Churchhill, professor of biology at UW-Oshkosh.
What advice would you give to people who have served in the military or are currently serving in the military and thinking about attending UW Oshkosh?
UW-Oshkosh has one of the best veteran resource centers that I have seen and interacted with so you will be confident that you are getting the benefits that are available to you. UW-Oshkosh professors are also very understanding of drill schedules when you must be gone for extended periods of time. College can also act as a stepping stone to something new and UW Oshkosh can be a good place to start.
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