Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Air Force Veteran Andrew Ho, who served as a cook for seven years, including in Kuwait and Niger.
Andrew Ho joined the Air Force in 2010. He served as a cook during two deployments in Kuwait and Niger. During his seven years of dedicated service, he earned Senior Airman Below the Zone, an early promotion for outstanding Airmen.
“Initially, I only knew how to microwave food,” he said. “Gradually I learned how to cook (peeling 10 potatoes per minute) and saw how food could bring troops together. Cooking taught me patience, timeliness, and attention to detail, which I carried over to the academic environment.”
After leaving the armed forces, Ho decided to continue his education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). He became involved with student Veteran organizations at UNLV such as Student Veterans of America, Peer Advisors for Veteran Education and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
Ho struggled with imposter syndrome in the earlier portion of his college career. Presently, he tries to use his experiences to help other Veterans through their education.
Because of his dedication to community service and commitment to inspiring student Veterans, he was named the 2020 Student Veterans of America Student of the Year.
According to the Student Veterans of America organization, the Student of the Year award is reserved for “…those who contribute tirelessly outside of their everyday workload and organizational focus, to lift up the mission and members of Student Veterans of America.”
Currently, Ho is in the process of completing his doctorate of occupational gherapy at UNLV. Once he completes his doctorate, he hopes to help Veterans in his future career.
Thank you for your service!
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Writer: Maggie Thomas
Editor: Annabelle Colton
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Thank you for your service Andrew Ho.