ASU alumnus and Air Force Veteran goes from “rock bottom” to rock star

When Derek Wilson’s 11 years of service with the U.S. Air Force came to an end, he was at a crossroads. What comes next after a decade of structured regimen and dedicated work? 

For anyone, including Wilson, there is no easy answer. However, there can be an effective one.  

“At that time, college wasn’t even on my radar — I was just hoping to find some kind of employment support,” Wilson said. “VRE (Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment) placed me with a nonprofit organization where I worked with veterans experiencing homelessness or reintegrating after incarceration. It was deeply personal work for me because I had faced many of the same challenges after leaving the military in 2014.”

The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans reports that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s January 2024 Point-in-Time (PIT) count estimated 32,882 veterans were experiencing homelessness on a single night. While this is the lowest recorded number since 2009, it still demonstrates a serious issue for veterans, one that ~ 3.7% of all veterans will encounter in the first five years after leaving service. 

“My transition had been rocky — I’d battled homelessness with my family, struggled with addiction, cycled through unstable jobs and even had run-ins with the criminal justice system,” Wilson said. “By this time, I was on my sixth attempt at the VRE program, at my personal rock bottom and needed a chance to be successful.” 

This was not time spent idle either, as Wilson detailed his unsuccessful attempt at a trade school job and the rapidly narrowing window of opportunity many veterans face once back in the private sector.

“I had already used up my GI Bill benefits at a trade school, thinking that would be the quickest route back to stability,” Wilson continued. “But when I finished, the industry was oversaturated, and there were no jobs,” Wilson said. “I heard about VUB (Veterans Upward Bound) through some flyers I handed out to other veterans at the non-profit, I thought: maybe this could help me, too.” 

Veterans Upward Bound existed as an Access ASU initiative and a program branch of TRIO, a federally funded education grant dedicated to helping underrepresented communities achieve higher education. The program was sunset in 2025 due to its federal grant funding no longer being renewed, with ASU turning its attention toward initiatives such as the Pat Tillman Veterans Center (PTVC).  

“My experience with VUB was nothing short of transformative,” Wilson explained. “As a first-generation college student, I didn’t know the first thing about how to apply to college, much less how to succeed once I got there. VUB became my lifeline. They broke down the admissions process step-by-step and helped me mentally prepare for what higher education would demand.” 

Many in-college resources provided by the VUB initiative are continued through the PTVC, which works to understand the specific trials that veterans face when trying to return to school and creates a support plan that is tailored to their needs; financial, administrative and academic. 

“One of the biggest hurdles for me was academics, especially math and writing,” Wilson said. 
“They paired me with a math tutor who had this incredible ability to make formulas less intimidating. She taught me to visualize math differently, as pictures instead of numbers, which completely shifted my mindset.” 

“I not only passed the course but also earned a B.”

ASU’s heavy focus on providing resources that lead to academic success not only helps students succeed but creates environments where veterans like Wilson feel confident to do so. 

“VUB also guided me to start at Glendale Community College to ease into the academic environment before transferring to Arizona State University,” Wilson said. “By the time I made the transfer, I was prepared and confident. More importantly, VUB introduced me to a community of veterans who were walking a similar path. I didn’t feel alone anymore, and that made all the difference.”

While maybe unbeknownst to Wilson at the time, this community of support would not only inspire him but lead him straight to his next chapter in life, reflecting that community support right back to the next generation of veterans through the PTVC.

“I was first introduced to the Pat Tillman Veterans Center through VUB, which invited me to attend Rally Point. That event was a game-changer.”

Rally Point is a veteran-founded company working to create professional connections amongst veterans across the nation, with some colloquially calling it "LinkedIn for the military.” 

“It’s where I met Shawn Banzhaf, who is now the executive director, and other facilitators who talked about what it takes to thrive in a university setting,” Wilson said. “One piece of advice I heard there stuck with me: at ASU, opportunities will present themselves—walk through the doorway of every opportunity that you are able. That simple mindset became the compass for my entire student experience.” 

“By the time I transferred to ASU through the MyPath2ASU program, I was a junior in the Bachelor of Social Work program,” Wilson continued. “I started getting more involved with PTVC and eventually worked there in several roles: work study, management intern, and Student Success Advocate. Those jobs didn’t just pay the bills—they gave me purpose; helping student veterans succeed in higher education became my post-military passion.”

With support from programs like the PTVC, Wilson didn't just earn his degree, he created a path for himself that would lead him far beyond college. 

“It wasn’t easy—I was working full-time while also studying full-time—but I pushed through. In fall 2024, I graduated Summa Cum Laude with my BSW and was honored as the Outstanding Graduate of ASU’s School of Social Work. None of that would have been possible without the support and mentorship I received.”

Now Wilson works as a success coach for the PTVC, bringing that same community support that lifted him up to a new generation of aspiring student-veterans. 

“Being a success coach is both humbling and rewarding,” Wilson said. “At Luke Air Force Base, my role is to help prospective students navigate the sometimes overwhelming process of becoming a student at ASU. I make connections to everything from recruitment, admissions and financial aid to connecting them with resources like tutoring or career guidance.” 

“What makes it meaningful is that I’ve been in their shoes,” Wilson continued. “So I approach coaching from a place of empathy and encouragement. My goal is not just to help them get into school, but to set them up for long-term success by showing them how to take advantage of resources, build networks, and stay resilient when challenges come up.”

Just like Wilson’s time in college, having support “by veterans, for veterans” makes sure that the unique challenges those coming back from service face are not only addressed, but centered in their support plans moving forward. 

It also gives Wilson a chance to help young veterans avoid the mistakes he made in this difficult transition from service to school. 

“My biggest advice is to take advantage of every opportunity, even if you don’t feel fully ready,” Wilson said. “Say yes to opportunities. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, whether it’s with admissions, tutoring or personal struggles. I learned the hard way that trying to figure it all out alone doesn’t work.” 

“Also, start building your professional network early,” Wilson continued. “The people you connect with—professors, mentors, veteran peers—will become the foundation for your academic career. And remember, you don’t have to be perfect. Success is about persistence, not perfection.”

Wilson has a clear message for those who find themselves at the same crossroad he was at so long ago: Get involved now! 

“I would recommend PTVC without hesitation,” Wilson said. “Once you’re admitted to ASU, the Pat Tillman Veterans Center is essential. They process military education benefits, but they go far beyond paperwork. PTVC creates a community where veterans can stay connected, find support and grow professionally.”

“For the Pat Tillman Veterans Center, involvement often begins once you’re admitted to ASU. Start by visiting their office and attending welcome events and the workshops they host. Explore the Veteran Scholar Program, which equips you with professional development skills. And don’t hesitate to ask about work-study or student employment opportunities—those roles were the foundation for my growth and eventually shaped my career.”