Today, I taught a “mock college class” at Eastern Kentucky University’s Camino Camp, a hands-on look at college life for Latino and Latina high school students. It’s a five-day event that takes place at EKU each year. My “Minding Hacking” course taught them to use mnemonic devices, apply science-based learning strategies, and develop a growth-mindset. We had lunch with the students afterwards, and I’m pretty sure there were more than a few future Colonels in the room! The number of Latino and Latina students graduating from public high schools has risen by over 60% in the last decade. Understanding and serving this growing student population is more important than ever.

Travis L. Martin, PhD, is founding director of the Kentucky Center for Veterans Studies at Eastern Kentucky University. He has established several nationally recognized programs to support returning veterans in higher education and the non-profit sector. A scholar of American literature, psychoanalytic trauma theory, and social theory, Dr. Martin presents frequently at conferences and universities. He has published dozens of research articles and creative short works on veterans’ issues. A former sergeant in the U.S. Army, he served during two deployments in the Iraq War (2003-04 & 2005). His book War and Homecoming: Veteran Identity and the Post-9/11 Generation is slated for publication with the University Press of Kentucky in 2022. He resides in Richmond, KY.