Category: Veteran
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Quintae Dorsey
For lifelong Chicagoan Quin Dorsey, joining the National Guard seemed like a natural fit. “I come from a military family, so I always knew I wanted to do something in the military,” she said. Quin originally wanted to become a combat medic but instead worked in logistics, helping to manage the petroleum supply. She spent…
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Ryan Magsayo
After spending six years as a combat medic with the U.S. Navy, Ryan Magsayo knew it would be hard to adjust to his life back to civilian life, especially life as a college student. He had been deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan during his time in service, working on the front lines to treat…
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Antoinette McIntosh
“City Colleges of Chicago is an excellent place to feel supported and build a foundation for what you want to do next,” said Antoinette McIntosh, a student in the paramedics’ pathway at Malcolm X College. In 2021, Antoinette graduated from MXC’s 16-week Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program. She scored a job with an ambulance company…
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John Kelly
Malcolm X College’s John Kelly is a “voice for veterans.” As the college’s Veterans Services Specialist and a former U.S. Marine, Kelly uses his own experiences to provide military-affiliated students with the resources they need to succeed—both in the classroom and in their lives. Read Kelly’s story in his own words below: There is…
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Kadi Channell
2019 was a year marked by change for Kadi Channell. After suffering an injury on the job as a nurse, she was ready to start the journey towards a new career, and she enrolled in courses at Olive-Harvey College focused in business administration as a first step. Just around the same time, her husband was…
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Jasie Kelch
At only 24 years old, Jasie Kelch has already worn many hats—student, army specialist, model, mentor, and self-published author. And despite a busy schedule of her own, juggling classes, work and more, Jasie has made it her mission to support others. As the author of two books, those efforts are often reflected through her writing.…
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Maupressa Brown
When Maupressa Brown started taking classes at Malcolm X College in 2016, she would regularly walk past the Malcolm X memorial on campus, making sure she stopped to re-read the tribute about his life’s work and legacy every time. Even five years later, the words continue to inspire her, reminding her of what she’s in…
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Shukara Robertson
Shukara Robertson didn’t have plans to join the military. In fact, as a high school student at Dunbar Vocational Career Academy in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood, she was much more interested in designing prom dresses for her classmates. But when a friend was scheduled to take a military placement exam, Shukara decided to accompany her for…
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Aniah Everage
Aniah Everage, 28, grew up in Baltimore and attended high school there. After graduating, he worked as a bus boy and in security, but he knew he there was more for him. In January of 2013, Aniah enlisted in the Air Force. He went through basic training and then did stints in Virginia, North Dakota…
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Derron Strickland
The pursuit of a bachelor’s degree led Malcom X College graduate Derron Strickland to take additional classes at City Colleges of Chicago in order to complete the prerequisites he needed for his degree in psychology. After four years in the Air Force, Derron was returning to school, and, upon the recommendation of advisors at Chicago…