5 Military Spouses Awarded Full-Tuition Scholarships to Earn SNHU Degrees

Five military spouses received a special phone call last week that has the potential for a positive lifelong impact. On the line with good news was Operation Homefront, a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to build strong, stable and secure military families.

These military spouses were selected to receive full-tuition scholarships for an online degree from Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). Annually, military spouses have the opportunity to apply for this scholarship through a partnership between Operation Homefront and SNHU.

“Our nation’s military families face frequent moves, deployments, and live far from their families, making it challenging for military spouses, who are often the glue to maintaining family stability and unity, to complete a traditional degree and pursue a meaningful career," said Rear Admiral (ret) Alan Reyes, president and CEO of Operation Homefront. "We are grateful to Southern New Hampshire University for honoring these five deserving military spouses with an opportunity to realize their personal goals and dreams, regardless of where the military may take their families, and help them build a more strong, stable, and secure future.”

With more than 200 degree options offered online, these military spouses can fit their coursework into their lives, no matter where the military moves them or what time of day or night they can dedicate to advancing their education.

‘I Feel Prepared for the Future I’m Building’

Jenna Demyon was already working on her bachelor’s degree at SNHU when she learned she was a scholarship recipient.

“I was honestly shocked, in the best way,” Demyon said. “I never thought I’d receive a scholarship, but I’ve worked really hard to earn good grades. I’m proud of myself for how far I’ve come, and it feels amazing to be recognized.”

Demyon first attended community college after graduating high school, then trained to become a surgical technologist.

“While I learned a lot from that experience, I realized how passionate I am about psychology and working with children,” she said.

With more stability at home now, Demyon can move toward her goal of becoming a developmental therapist, and continue working on her bachelor’s in psychology with a concentration in child and adolescent development at SNHU.

“I chose this path because I’m passionate about helping children grow, heal and thrive — especially those who’ve experienced trauma or developmental challenges,” Demyon said.

And she said the program is already helping her build the knowledge and tools she’ll need for her career. “I feel prepared for the future I’m building,” she said.

Beyond her professional goal, Demyon wants to be a role model for her children. The format of SNHU’s online programs allows her to push forward as a student while remaining committed to her other roles.

“SNHU provides the flexibility and support I need as a military spouse and a parent,” she said.

Demyon’s husband has served in the U.S. Air Force for the past eight years, where he’s currently a technical school instructor, training service members in the weather field. “He knows how hard I’ve been working, and he’s always been supportive of my goals,” she said. “When I found out I got the scholarship, he was just as excited as I was.”

For Demyon, education is a confidence-builder, a door-opener and a way to grow. It can also make a big difference among military spouses. “For military spouses, it can be especially empowering,” she said. “With all the moving and adapting we do, having an education offers stability, purpose and opportunities that can move with us.”

‘Education Provides Us With ... Professional Identity and Personal Purpose’

Rochele Grierson, who works as a new parent support/home visitor coordinator, was attending a car seat safety course when she got the call from Operation Homefront.

When she heard the news, she was in disbelief. “Out of what must have been so many applicants, only five were selected for the scholarship — and I was one of them,” she said.

After graduating from high school in Brazil, Grierson earned a degree in physical education. But it wasn’t until she moved to the U.S. and joined the U.S. Army Reserve that she realized her interest in nursing.

So, she pursued a bachelor’s degree in the field. “Nursing school was an incredible challenge, especially as English is my second language,” Grierson said. “Despite the language barrier and the rigorous academic demands, I remained committed.”

She always believed she’d go on to earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), too, but between becoming a mother of two, plus financial constraints, it just hadn’t been the right time.

Parenthood can be particularly challenging for a military spouse, according to Grierson, because they don’t often have the support of nearby family and are the primary caretakers while their spouses work long hours or are away from home serving their country.

“Balancing the demands of new motherhood with the rigors of graduate school felt overwhelming, yet the dream of advancing my education never left me," she said.

And now that her daughters are 3 and 4 years old, Grierson is ready to show them that goals can be met through determination. She plans to pursue her MSN in Nursing Education at SNHU with a desire to become a nurse educator within the operating room (OR).

“I have a genuine passion for learning and an even greater passion for sharing knowledge with others,” Grierson said. “I find great fulfillment in precepting new nurses and supporting their growth as they enter the field.”

She said the scholarship to SNHU comes after years of waiting, hoping and persevering. “Education represents growth, empowerment and the ability to build a better future — for myself, for my family and for the patients I care for,” Grierson said.

Her husband serves in the U.S. Army and was the first person she called after learning she was a scholarship recipient. She said he knows how long she’s been waiting to earn her master’s degree and was excited for her opportunity to pursue it with the help of the scholarship.

“As military spouses, education provides us with a strong sense of professional identity and personal purpose,” Grierson said. “It offers stability in a life often shaped by uncertainty and constant change. Through education, we have the opportunity to define ourselves beyond the role of being a supportive partner — we become professionals in our own right.”

‘This Scholarship Means That I Am Here and Still Fighting’

Melissa Mosher, another scholarship recipient, is well-versed in the intricacies of military life. She grew up in a military family. After being stationed in Italy, her family relocated to the U.S. when Mosher was a senior in high school.

She said she felt at a disadvantage when it came to college applications, leading her to attend a community college while she determined her next steps. A year later, she married her husband, had a baby and moved across the country.

Her priorities changed, but she remained committed to reaching her professional goal of providing financial education to military families.

“Finances are the lifeblood of every aspect of a person's life. Money is not everything, but it is a tool,” she said. “I hope my knowledge can better the lives of our service members and their families. I know firsthand the struggle and hope to assist others in thriving.”

Through frequent moves as duty stations changed, including one to Japan, Mosher has navigated endometriosis, two surgical procedures and a cancer diagnosis.

“Once I gained strength and reasoned with my new normal, I began to dream again,” she said. As soon as she could, she interviewed for a role providing financial education and assistance to military families.

“(I) grew leaps and bounds as I became more stable with the new me and my new role," Mosher said. "Learning, growing and seeing the assistance making a difference for the military members showed me that I should look for bigger and brighter opportunities.”

And when she saw an announcement for the scholarship through Operation Homefront and SNHU, Mosher said she’d regret not applying. When she was selected, she couldn’t believe it.

“To think that I could even be considered was a feat in and of itself. To be selected is astounding,” she said. “The scholarship means that I am here and still fighting.”

As Mosher prepares to return to college for a bachelor’s in finance, she is set on becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) — a career path she said her husband has known she’d pursue since the day they met.

Her husband, who has now served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years — currently as a Combat Systems Officer and Chief Warrant Officer 3 — didn't doubt that she’d be selected for this scholarship, she said.

"Now I can hone my skills and knowledge to serve the military community further,” Mosher said.

‘College Has Always Been a Distant Dream for Me’

Dayana Sanchez said she felt all kinds of feelings after learning she was a scholarship recipient.

“As soon as I heard her say ‘congratulations,’ I broke down in tears,” Sanchez said. “SNHU’s scholarship will help me focus on my studies and adjust to college without having to worry or stress about the financial aspect.”

Sanchez is a mother of three with a husband who has served in the U.S. Marines for 13 years now, where he’s currently a School of Infantry combat instructor. “He is looking forward to seeing me reach my goals,” she said.

Growing up, Sanchez said she didn’t take school seriously because she never thought college was an option. “My mindset as a teen blocked me from progressing,” she said — but she now knows she’s capable of college.

With her husband staying put in his role and her children getting older, it seemed like a good time for her to start.

“College has always been a distant dream for me,” Sanchez said. “I used this scholarship opportunity to step outside of my comfort zone to show myself and my family that I am committed to my education and future goals.”

She plans to pursue a bachelor's in psychology with a concentration in child and adolescent development at SNHU, hoping to apply the knowledge and skills she learns to enter the field as a school counselor.

Motivated by one of her children who has a speech delay, Sanchez wants to become a speech-language pathologist one day. She knows it’ll be an involved process to fulfill the role's requirements, and a bachelor's at SNHU is just the first step.

Beyond the professional fulfillment, Sanchez said advancing her education will put her in a position to financially support her family when her husband eventually transitions into civilian life.

She noted her education will also help her become more independent and give her a sense of purpose outside of her family.

“The importance of this scholarship to me is much more than just getting a degree,” Sanchez said. “From the moment I found out that I was selected, it has boosted my confidence, and it has shown me how much potential I have.”

‘Perseverance and Community Support Can Lead to Amazing Things’

“SNHU’s strong commitment to military families and online learning format makes it the perfect fit for me as a military spouse,” she said.

Although Waddy Battisti put her education on hold due to the demands of military life, having a baby and volunteering as an ombudsman, she said she never stopped thinking about her goals.

And when the scholarship opportunity came about, she knew it was the perfect time to revisit them. Her husband, a sonar technician chief on submarines in the U.S. Navy, is currently on a shore duty assignment.

“We’ve been through so much together during his time in the Navy, and he knows how hard it was for me to take a step back from school and how much finishing my degree means to me,” Waddy Battisti said.

When she learned she was chosen for the scholarship, she was at work surrounded by other military spouses who celebrated with her. “This moment of shared joy and pride reminded me of ... how important it is to be a beacon of hope for others in the military spouse community,” Waddy Battisti said.

She plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in marketing at SNHU and unite it with her desire to make a meaningful impact on her military community. She also wants to find an employer who matches her passion. “By working in marketing, I could influence businesses to develop offerings that address military families’ unique challenges, making it easier for them to access the resources they need,” she said.

In addition to attending an online school that can move with her, Waddy Battisti wants a chance to build a career that lasts. “I want to ensure I’m in a career that can travel with me, one where I don’t have to start from scratch every time we relocate,” she said.

She said her education and the skills she’s gained as a military spouse, in tandem, can help her stand out in the job search.

“We are often the ones balancing chaos, managing crises, building relationships, organizing plans on short notice and adapting to ever-changing circumstances,” Waddy Battisti said.

She sees this full-tuition scholarship as a way to build confidence and a sustainable future for herself — and an opportunity to represent her community.

“It’s a chance to show that being a military spouse doesn’t limit your potential; it can enhance it,” Waddy Battisti said. “This scholarship is a stepping stone to further my education and demonstrates to others that perseverance and community support can lead to amazing things.”

A Partnership With Shared Values

Since Operation Homefront and SNHU teamed up in 2014, the partners have now awarded full-tuition scholarships to more than four dozen military spouses based across the country and around the globe.

“Supporting our armed forces and their families means a lot to the entire SNHU community and allows us to give back to those who’ve given so much,” said John Murphy, U.S. Army (ret) and a regional director of Military Partnerships and Insights at SNHU. “It’s not just about doing a good deed; it’s about showing up for a community that deserves our gratitude every day.”

Rebecca LeBoeuf Blanchette '18 '22G is a writer at Southern New Hampshire University, where she fulfills her love of learning daily through conversations with professionals across a range of fields. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a minor in Professional Writing from SNHU’s campus in Manchester, New Hampshire, and followed her love of storytelling into the online Master of Arts in English and Creative Writing at SNHU. Connect with her on LinkedIn.