Purdue Global military-affiliated students, staff share success stories on ‘Military Makeover: Operation Career’

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Three military personnel who have experienced the benefits of Purdue Global’s commitment to veterans will be featured in an upcoming episode of “Military Makeover: Operation Career,” hosted by Montel Williams. The episode will air Thursday (Dec. 21) on Lifetime TV and American Forces Network. The episode is also available on YouTube.

“Military Makeover: Operation Career” explores how organizations are helping military members prepare for life and employment beyond the service. This is the second partnership between Williams and Purdue Global. Frank Dooley appeared earlier in February 2023 on “The Balancing Act” with Williams.

Additional Information

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• Purdue Global advances in Military Times’ 2023 Best for Vets rankings

Crystal Johnson, Ryon Kumrow and Sonora Vasquez share stories of their time in the U.S. military and how they look to the future thanks to Purdue Global’s commitment to veterans and active-duty personnel.

In addition to interviews with Johnson, Kumrow and Vasquez, the episode includes comments from Dooley and Kelvin Gumbs, executive director for educational partnerships with Purdue’s Office of Industry Partnerships. Gumbs is also a Purdue Global graduate and Navy veteran.

Johnson of South Carolina is an Army veteran who served as a supply specialist and recently received her bachelor’s degree in health care administration. On the show, she talks about her journey to Purdue Global and how that could help her as a working adult and mother, especially as she is currently working on her master’s degree.

Kumrow of Virginia serves in the Navy as a hospital corpsman. He received his bachelor’s degree in health care administration and is still actively serving. Kumrow was part of a crucial 2020 COVID-19 humanitarian relief mission in South Texas.

Vasquez is Purdue Global’s on-site director for its extension office at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. She served in the Air Force and Space Force for over 24 years.

“One reason why Purdue Global is such a strong opportunity for active service members is we have a program where … we match the training that one would get as they progress through their levels of specialization with our degree programs. We’ve taken their training and stood it right next to an associate degree, and we fill in the gaps. It’s a beautiful program,” Dooley said.

Ultimately a service member will be able to build a career path they can embark on following their service.

Purdue Global serves about 10,000 military-affiliated students, including uniformed personnel, veterans and eligible dependents. Purdue Global also has 133 veterans who are faculty or staff members. 

About Purdue Global

Purdue Global is Purdue’s online university for working adults who have life experience and often some college credits. It offers flexible paths for students to earn an associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree, based on their work experience, military service and previous college credits, no matter where they are in their life journey. Purdue Global is a nonprofit, public university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and backed by Purdue University. For more information, visit https://stories.purdue.edu/purdue-global/.

Military Makeover with Montel®, A BrandStar original, is America’s leading branded reality TV show that offers hope and a helping hand here on the home front to members of our military and their loved ones. A veteran of both the Marine Corps and the Navy, talk show legend and military advocate Montel Williams creatively co-produces the show along with a colorful cast that seeks to transform the homes and lives of military families across the country. The cast includes co-hosts Art Edmonds and designer Jennifer Bertrand. This special series enlists caring companies of all sizes as well as non-profits and the local community. Military Makeover airs on Lifetime® and on the American Forces Network, which serves American servicemen and women, Department of Defense and other U.S. government civilians and their families stationed at bases overseas, as well as U.S. Navy ships at sea. Help starts at home for veterans on Military Makeover. Join us as our makeover team engages to change the living situation — and the lives — of these deserving families.

About BrandStar

We’re matchmakers; connecting people to brands to Do Life Better. BrandStar has unparalleled experience in creating customized educational content for brands with laser targeted extensive distribution through their multi-channel network ecosystem and methodology. From original television programming on Lifetime, BrandStar.tv, social media, digital marketing, to media management and PR; BrandStar helps brands connect with the right consumer, at the right time, with the right message, through all the right channels. 

Writer/Media contact: Matthew Oates, oatesw@purdue.edu, 765-496-6160, @mo_oates