Florida State University is recognizing first-generation student veteran college students as part of Veterans Day, Nov. 11, and First-Generation College Celebration Week, a nationwide event that FSU is celebrating through Nov.12.
“Our veteran students bring a remarkable depth of experience and resilience to Florida State University,” said Billy Francis, director of the Student Veterans Center. “Some are also the first in their families to pursue a college degree, and that unique journey shapes both their perspective and the campus community. The Student Veterans Center is committed to providing tailored support and resources to help these students thrive academically and personally.”
Since 2011, the FSU Student Veterans Center has offered academic advising, transition support and assistance with VA benefits, creating a welcoming environment for military-affiliated students.
Around 25% of FSU’s undergraduate student body identifies as first-generation, meaning their parents or guardians did not attend a four-year college.
FSU’s nationally recognized Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement (CARE) provides first-generation student veterans with preparation, mentoring, financial aid guidance and academic support to help them succeed.
Sgt. Aryanna Fortuna, 24, will graduate in December with a degree in public health and a minor in psychology. The Fort Myers native is both a first-generation college student and a first-generation military member.
“I always dreamt of going to college, and my family knew I had the potential to be the first,” she said.
After enrolling in ROTC in high school, Fortuna joined the Florida Army National Guard in 2019. She deployed to Ukraine in 2021 for nine months as a combat medic, providing emergency care for about 140 soldiers.
Returning home, Fortuna attended Florida Gulf Coast University for three semesters while balancing coursework with hurricane relief and other missions. Encouraged by fellow Guard members who praised FSU’s support for veterans, she transferred to Florida State in 2024, where her younger sister, Gabriela, was also enrolled. Gabriela graduated in spring 2025 with a degree in international business.
“It was reassuring to know I’d get the resources and support I’d need as an actively drilling Guard member,” Fortuna said. “As a first-gen, I’m proud of all I’ve accomplished. No one in my family had gone through this before, so I had to figure out each step on my own.”
Fortuna is active in FSU’s Student Veteran Association and plans to pursue a career as a physical therapist after another nine-month deployment following graduation.
“As both a veteran and first-generation student, I’m thankful for the support I’ve received from my family, friends and this institution,” she said. “I am proud of all the lives that I’ve touched. I’ve been to many places, universities and units, met many people, and have made meaningful relationships every step of the way.”
Ben Cheney, 27, will graduate in December with a degree in interdisciplinary social sciences focused on social innovation and entrepreneurship. As a Utah native and the youngest of nine children, Cheney said college was never part of his plan.
“College was never something on my radar. It was something the other guys did,” Cheney said. “But a professor encouraged me that I could do it, and it finally all clicked.”
Before enrolling at FSU in fall 2023, Cheney served five years in the Marine Corps. At 25, he joined classmates about five years younger, but said they welcomed him. “They didn’t focus on my age,” he said. “I explained I was in the military and that’s how I paid for it.”
When asked what he is most proud of as a first-generation veteran student, Cheney said it’s how he was able to get involved at school. He credits Tracy Woodard, associate teaching professor in the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy, for the encouragement and push to help shape him.
Cheney became an active member of campus life, joining the cheer team, Collegiate Veteran Association and Kappa Sigma fraternity. He also accomplished his initial goal of being Cimarron for the past two years, which lets him “bring the energy” and have fun.
“I’ve always liked building community, and I wanted to be part of that,” Cheney said. “I’ve proven to myself that I can do this.”
For more information about FSU’s Student Veterans Center and its programs, visit veterans.fsu.edu.
