University of Phoenix announces winners of Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States 2023 Future Phoenix Scholarship
By Michele Mitchum
Recipients from across the country will receive full-tuition scholarships
University of Phoenix and The Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS) are proud to announce the 2023 winners of full-tuition scholarships for a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree program for current enlisted National Guard servicemembers and their immediate family members. This year’s scholarship winners are Derrick Dimitris, MSgt in the New York Air National Guard; Andrew Hunsicker, SMSgt in the South Carolina Air National Guard; and Jennifer West, RN, whose husband serves in the New Mexico National Guard.
“It is an honor and privilege to work with our veteran students and their families. The men and women who serve our country are incredibly brave and we welcome the chance to help support them as they embark on this new chapter of their lives,” states Eric Ryan, senior director of Military Operations at University of Phoenix and Marine Corps veteran. “These scholarships are a natural extension of our commitment to our military community, and we look forward to helping support these students as they work toward their education and career goals.”
Hunsicker is pursuing his Master of Business Administration at the University of Phoenix and expressed his gratitude for the award. “I am humbled and honored to accept the scholarship,” he shares. “I plan on using this blessing, and paying it forward after graduation, by operating a farm that also serves as a ministry and counseling center for those that need restoration, rescue, or rehabilitation.”
Dimitris expressed his gratitude for the award, sharing, “This scholarship will allow me to fulfill one of my major educational goals and I will forever be grateful to EANGUS and the University of Phoenix for choosing me for this unbelievable opportunity. I look forward to putting my new skills and understanding into practice.”
EANGUS is the largest enlisted reserve component association with a mission to give a voice to the enlisted National Guard men and women, their families and retirees on Capitol Hill. University of Phoenix and EANGUS have teamed up since 2011, awarding dozens of scholarships to date, including full and partial tuition, to either current members or immediate family members of EANGUS.
“EANGUS is extremely pleased and continually appreciates the generosity of this university in offering a beacon of hope to the National Guard, military and veteran communities as well as their families through our partnership and scholarship program,” shared MSgt Daniel B. Reilly (Ret), EANGUS president. “With the support of the University of Phoenix, EANGUS will continue developing and enhancing professionals so that our leadership factory always remains open and never closes. I look forward to watching the careers of our recipients and future leaders flourish. May this display of kindness shown by the University of Phoenix inspire others to follow in your footsteps and support those who have selflessly served and sacrificed for our country.”
West, who currently works as a registered nurse, is pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at the University of Phoenix. “I am very excited to be able to pursue a leadership role in my nursing profession, which is something I have felt ready to do for a long time,” she shares. “Nursing for the past 17 years has solidified my commitment to the profession, and I am looking forward to learning from and collaborating with my peers in the program. I am fairly certain I would not have been able to further my education without this scholarship. I am grateful for the opportunity.”
University of Phoenix is a certified Arizona Veteran Supportive Campus and remains connected to the military community, maintaining relationships with Military Professional Associations to help support those association members and University of Phoenix students.
About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix is continually innovating to help working adults enhance their careers in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, and Career Services for Life® help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.
About EANGUS
The Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS) is the largest enlisted reserve component association with over 48,000 members. Founded in 1970, EANGUS’ mission is to give a voice to enlisted National Guard men and women, their families, and retirees on Capitol Hill. EANGUS is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with state associations or chapters in every state and territory. EANGUS WCFA is a 501(c)(3) organization and the charitable arm of EANGUS. Its emergency relief fund has approved more than 3,000 grants to enlisted personnel or families since 2005. For more information, visit www.eangus.org.
