Austin Community College District (ACC) honors our current and former military members for their service. The college is dedicated to helping veterans reach their goals with Veterans Services, which provides assistance with benefits, degree and career planning, and counseling services.

We asked a few ACC students, faculty, and staff about their experience transitioning from military life and what Veterans Day means to them.

Meet Elisabeth Collura-Rosenberg, an ACC alum and a Teaching Assistant/Special Projects Coordinator for the ACC Health & Kinesiology department. She graduated in  August 2023 with a degree in Radio-Television-Film and Emerging Media Production. 

Elisabeth served in the U.S. Army for seven years and the Texas National Guard for four years. She was released from military service as a Major (O4). She was also a helicopter pilot, rated in the CH-47D Chinook Cargo Helicopter and UH-60A/L Utility Helicopter, and was deployed to support combat operations in Afghanistan, Kuwait, and Iraq. During her military service, she was stationed at Fort Rucker (now Fort Novosel), Alabama; Fort Campbell, Kentucky; and Fort Hood, Texas. 

“I am a servant leader and wanted to be a part of something bigger than me. I was offered a Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) scholarship during my sophomore year of undergraduate studies at Ohio University and a seat at the U.S. Army Parachute School (Airborne).  I was already skydiving, so the leadership training and follow-on course were very salient.”

To her, Veterans Day is a time to reflect and extend gratitude to those who have served.

“An amazing part about the camaraderie is that being a veteran extends beyond your time in uniform. I have connected with other veterans over the years whom I may have only met since we ended our service, and I now consider them good friends.  It is truly a fantastic network, both professionally and personally.” 

Elisabeth says the skills she gained as a service member have helped her transition from the Army to ACC, first as a student and later in her teaching role. 

“I lead and teach cooperatively with the mindset that everybody brings something to the table. When each individual works at their best capacity, the group can find a cohesive flow to accomplish the job right.”

Attending college was an excellent experience for Elizabeth to find support while adjusting to civilian life.

“ACC is one of the best institutions of higher learning I have had the privilege to attend.  The faculty are industry-proven professionals who have been an integral part of my post-military service development. I felt honored and safe to dig deep into exploring who I really am and what I have to offer the world. Education is the path to freedom.  Do what you love and leave your legacy.”

For more information about Veterans Services, click here.

Tags: ACC Veterans, Radio-Television-Film, Veteran Affairs, veterans, Veterans Day, Veterans Resource Center