The journey of a Tiger Veteran

When U.S. Army Reserves veteran Bernard M’kumbuzi transferred to TU, he found more than academia. He found his dream career path in special education and a community of support he’d never expected through the Military and Veterans Center (MVC). 

“The MVC has been a monumental part of my time at TU,” M’kumbuzi says, “There's a whole lot of genuine care coming out of that office. They're a very necessary resource [for the military community] - one that you don't always know you need until you need it."

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Becoming an educator

M’kumbuzi solidified his passion for special education after serving as a student mentor at Camp InSpECT—Including Special Education in Computational Thinking—a free, five-day-a-week camp for students in rising grades one through 10 with documented disabilities. 

“[Camp InSpECT] is what pushed me to get into special education,” he says. “The one-on-one time with students, getting to understand their needs and helping them solve problems—it changed me.” 

At the camp, undergraduate pre-service special education teachers in TU’s special education teacher preparation programs are assigned to two to three students, whom they connect with for the entirety of the camp. 

As mentors, M’kumbuzi and his peers taught campers the basics of computational thinking and computer science. He even shared the benefits of Camp InSpECT with parents via an Instagram Reel. 

“That first summer, the kids I supported really left a mark on me,” M’kumbuzi says. “I just knew my heart was in teaching, and I knew I had to be a mentor again.” 

M’kumbuzi is teaching life skills to students of all ages with disabilities at the Ridge Ruxton School and hopes to continue educating students with disabilities in Baltimore after graduating in spring 2027.

Top Image: Bernard M'Kumbuzi (top row, far left) with his fellow Camp InSpECT 2024 student teachers. Image courtesy of Camp InSpECT staff. Bottom two images: M'kumbuzi with fellow staff and camp members.

Finding a community of support

While pursuing his degree, M’kumbuzi’s journey wasn’t free from challenges, but the MVC enabled him to not only build friendships but to receive financial support when he needed it the most. 

“When I experienced financial struggles, the MVC connected me with Student Outreach and Support and they were able to help me get the resources I needed to cover rent,” he says. “To feel comfortable speaking to someone and receiving help meant so much to me.”

Bernard is crowned TU's 2024 Homecoming King alongside homecoming queen Oreofe Odusanya.

Having his basic needs supported enabled M'kumbuzi to continue meaningfully engaging with internship and student leadership opportunities.

From getting involved in student organizations like Honorables of Color and SGA, and being named TU's 2024 Homecoming king to joining the Army ROTC: Greyhound Battalion through the University of Maryland at Loyola, M'kumbuzi is leaving his mark on the TU community.

"It's our team's great honor at the MVC to support veterans, currently serving, and family member Tigers (or students) like Bernard," says DiBattista.

"I always remind people that our military-connected students are just like everyone else; it's simply that they often bring with them some very different life experiences that shape their identities and pathways."