Shenandoah University’s Eda Wu ’24, third party data exchange analyst in the Office of Information Technology and adjunct instructor in the School of Business, was named a 2024 Veteran Champion of the Year in Higher Education in the October 2024 issue of G.I. Jobs.
Presented by Military Friendly®, the Veteran Champion of the Year in Higher Education awards recognize individuals who passionately support student veterans and dedicate themselves to helping veterans “adjust, thrive and succeed as students.”
Wu is the vice president of Shenandoah Veterans and Supporters (SVS), a student-led organization for SU’s veterans, service members and their supporters. Annually, SVS judges the Voice of Democracy audio-essay scholarship contest in collaboration with Winchester’s VFW Post 2123. In previous semesters, members have shared their healthcare experiences on a panel with nursing students, sponsored a presentation on cybersecurity job opportunities, and supported local memorial events. SVS looks forward to shaping future programming within the Hazel-Pruitt Armory, while extending kinship through alumni who are veterans.
In addition to her staff and adjunct instructor roles at SU, Wu is pursuing a graduate certificate in cybersecurity management. She earned a Master of Business Administration and a graduate certificate in business analytics from Shenandoah in August 2024. Wu, a lieutenant in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, has previously deployed for hurricane responses and joint operations management. She recently provided incident management support for the multi-agency response to the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore, Maryland, in March.
I am humbled by this recognition for my efforts this past year. I’ve been empowered by my peers who have committed to pursuing higher education. They bring a wealth of unique experiences to the classroom, but their greatest strength is that they leave nobody behind. As I returned from a challenging reserve mobilization in January 2023, SVS was there to support my transition and help me navigate the emotional and mental health evolution. Advocating for better programming, being a mentor to fellow non-traditional students and establishing a stronger community with our veterans alumni has been my way of paying it forward.”
Eda Wu
Shenandoah University was one of over 500 schools recognized as a Military Friendly® School in the latest edition of the list published in May 2024. SU received a 2024-25 silver designation for the second straight year. To read more about this year’s Veteran Champions of the Year, check out the October 2024 edition of G.I. Jobs.
