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Educational attainment builds community, opens doors  

Stewart completed her PhD at Howard University, continuing on a path that included formative time with ���Ĵ�ý. 

Following her undergraduate studies, she described a struggle with institutional and foundational structures in higher education. Not to mention the technology.

"I wanted to better understand institutional challenges and needs, and work to be a change agent," said Stewart. "I thought that returning to school for my graduate education, particularly focused on IT, would help."

���Ĵ�ý stood out as different. 

"I did not want to return to the traditional sort of classroom," she said. "I was able to interact with other students from around the globe. It really did feel like I had the sense of community."

Miller first considered ���Ĵ�ý for a degree that felt necessary to be taken seriously. The experience evolved into a world she returns to frequently – whether speaking at events or accepting awards.

"I said, I want to go to this school because it fits who I am. It talked to me as a veteran and as a mother," said Miller. 

She recalled the experience warmly, noting how the strong connections have continued well beyond obtaining a degree. 

“It's nice to be an alum of ���Ĵ�ý, because it's something I can be proud of,” said Miller. 

Determination and collaboration grow the mission

Describing herself as a finisher, Miller’s passion and commitment to her nonprofit once led her to pass up an opportunity to be director of the Center for Women Veterans at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

“I turned it down because WVI was not in position to continue without me,” she said. “I also felt like I could be a better ally inside WVI.”

Stewart acts on lessons learned, including from young women she mentored earlier in her career who were running into familiar barriers. She recalled meeting women with brilliant ideas who only lacked the infrastructure to amplify their voices.

Years into her nonprofit effort, change is evident. 

“I see more women rallying around each other and supporting each other. We're all figuring out how to create ecosystems together,” she said.

How to act: Advice from nonprofit founders 

While Stewart has leveraged education to drive her progress, she still stresses the “importance of listening to your gut.” 

“Take a look at the people around you. If you see them being creative, finding alternate paths to generating income, or building things, pay attention,” she said. “Apply some of the learnings as you go.”

Miller has risen to the level of political appointment by a U.S. President and is part of the oral history of that office. Her advice is equally fundamental. 

“Know your why,” she said. “Understand the community. Know the movers and shakers, the other organizations that are serving alongside.”

Hear more from Ginger Miller in the ���Ĵ�ý podcast Unstoppable Stories: Resilience in Action (June 2025).

The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense information or visuals does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.