Heading into late 2017 and early 2018 the Kniestedt Foundation staff began to discuss the potential of broadening the scope of services they offer. In the midst of these discussions, foundation President James Kniestedt was introduced to a phenomenal program at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) by university professor, Katherine McAllen. This program allows students to study abroad in Peru. It was exactly the type of opportunity Kniestedt had envisioned offering to veterans through his foundation and, thus, a partnership was born.
A trip to Peru as a living classroom is the brainchild of UTRGV professor, administrator and United States Marine Corps veteran, Dr. Robert Bradley. Dr. Bradley had spent time in the Northeast Forest of Peru as a graduate student and fell in love with the land and Peruvian culture. This love has allowed him to amass a knowledge base in the region that he has passed along throughout his nine year journey.
As a veteran, Dr. Bradley has always seen the impact a trip of this magnitude could have on veterans. With the mutual belief in the power of the outdoors, both Dr. Bradley and the Kniestedt Foundation agree that physical activities and continued education are always a means to provide a better quality of life, thus, a partnership appeared to be a natural fit. As conversations continued, the team at the Kniestedt Foundation and Dr. Bradley decided to move forward by sponsoring two veterans to attend the first opportunity. Upon hearing this news Dr. Bradley contacted a tremendous resource within the UTRGV community, the Military and Veterans Success Center. Through this contact Dr. Bradley was able to locate Mario Lujano and Jaime Sauceda, two U.S. Army Veterans currently pursuing degrees at UTRGV.
Sauceda, a native of Chicago suburbanite, has 22 years of service in aviation operations. Lujano, a antive of New York, has 6 years of service in drone pilot experience. At first glance, it may appear that these two gentlemen are polar opposites. However, after closer examination, it is obvious that they have much in common. Both felt a desire to serve our country, eventually settled in the great state of Texas, and enrolled at UTRGV. Beyond this, both share a deeper connection. Both wanted to succeed in the classroom but upon enrolling quickly realized that collegiate life would be much different than civilian life. While challenging, the transition was made easier for each by the Military and Veteran Success Center on campus. As a result, both strongly agree that the key to a successful transition from the military to civilian life lies in taking advantage of the resources specifically available that are designed to assist.
Finally, Sauceda and Lujano have an extremely bright future ahead of them. This is just another thread of commonality that links them togetther. Last May, Sauceda graduated with a Bachelor’s Degee in Criminal Justice and is now pursuing a Master’s in Communication. Lujano is currently working on his Bachelor’s Degree in History and plans to charge all the way forward to a Ph.D. Beyond the trip to Peru the sky is the limit for these two gentlemen. They know this to be true. Each is looking at this trip as an opportunity to open future doors on their separate paths in life. While their current mission is still in progress, their projected outcomes will certainly guarantee similar opportunities for other veterans.
