Meet a Roadrunner: Brandi Cuevas '12 shares her story of military, veteran and student life
Brandi Cuevas '12
(Oct. 26, 2016) -- Meet Brandi Cuevas ’12. In a new book, “Adapt and Overcome: Essays on the Student Veteran Experience,” she and other UTSA veterans describe the unique challenges of transitioning into higher education.
Born in Salt Lake City to conservative parents, Cuevas never imagined that she would join the Army and make a lifelong career in the military. As she recounts in her “Adapt and Overcome” chapter, she wasn’t sure where life would take her despite being a great student in high school. The fall after graduation, though, she opened herself up to new experiences, considering for the first time an opportunity with the U.S. Army Reserve.
“Like I wrote in the book, I couldn’t deny that feeling to serve,” said Cuevas. “The moment I signed on with the Army, I was put on a path that would lead me to my calling.”
In the Army, Cuevas says she came into her own, quickly rising in the ranks to become a sergeant in the Reserve and gaining a strong background in the medical field.
She married her high school sweetheart, also a member of the military, and had two children. She traveled the country, juggling family, civilian and military responsibilities.
In 2008, Cuevas decided that it was time to expand her skills. When her husband got a job in San Antonio, she applied to UTSA.
“I used my military benefits to return to school and do what no one else in my family had done before,” she said. “I would graduate from college and create a civilian life for myself that could run parallel to my military duties.”
UTSA opened a whole new world for Cuevas.
While a student, her husband, Benjamin, was deployed to Afghanistan, and she was left to raise their two children while he was gone. Despite the challenge, her fellow Roadrunners were there to help.
“I would often bring my kids with me to classes,” said Cuevas. “The faculty and students would be so understanding. They would all work with me to ensure I succeeded.”
In particular, the UTSA Veterans Certification Office became an important source of information and guidance for her. Thanks to its help, Cuevas learned she could earn her bachelor of science in kinesiology from UTSA in record time due to her past training and experience. Later, she learned she could sign up for a dual degree and earn credits toward a bachelor of arts in psychology, which she did.
At the same time, Cuevas became involved at UTSA. She joined the Health Ambassadors, a community outreach organization dedicated to the promotion of health and wellness. She became a student researcher and authored a paper that paved the way for her to attend international conferences. She also forged a close relationship with the UTSA Student Veterans Association, which helps fellow student veterans adapt to civilian life. She continues to stay connected as an alumna.
Cuevas graduated summa cum laude with two degrees. She went on to receive a master’s degree from another university and now works as a licensed marriage and family therapist with her own practice. Today, she serves as a company commander in New York for the Army Reserve.
Cuevas credits UTSA and its military-friendly culture for helping her succeed.
“There were moments where I was ready to throw in the towel, but the assistance and guidance I received helped me stay strong,” said Cuevas. “I could not have done all this without the support of my husband, UTSA faculty, family and friends, and my daughters.”
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Events
Join the PEACE Center and Wellbeing Services for Denim Day, a day of learning about the importance of consent and why we wear denim on the last Wednesday of the month each April during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Stop by our Denim Day display to take a photo in front of our Denim Wall, spin the "Is It Consent?" Wheel, and get a Concha or goodie.
Student Union Window Lounge, Main CampusLearn to use Zotero®, a citation manager that can help you store and organize citations you find during your research. Zotero can generate bibliographies in various styles, insert in-text citations and allow you to share sources with collaborators.
Virtual EventThis event will acknowledge graduating seniors from the McNair Scholars program at UTSA before inducting the new cohort of scholars into the program.
North Paseo Building (NPB 5.140), Main CampusAt this memorable celebration, UTSA graduates will be introduced one-by-one to cross the stage and accept their doctoral degrees.
Arts Building Recital Hall, Main CampusRoadrunner Walk is an event for graduating students to have a memorable walk on campus to celebrate an important milestone and their achievements. Graduates will walk along the Paseo while being celebrated by the UTSA community, friends, and family members.
Student Union Paseo, Main CampusCelebrate the accomplishments of College of Education and Human Development, College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Sciences and University College.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.Celebrate the accomplishments of Alvarez College of Business, College of Liberal and Fine Arts and Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.
