Andrey Mazuera has had to restart more than most people plan for. He’s made each restart count.

After leaving the Army, Andrey enrolled at Old Dominion University (ODU) to pursue a degree in exercise science. Only a few semesters in, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and led him to put his education on hold. With campus closures and growing uncertainty about his career direction, he re-enlisted in the U.S. Army.

“When COVID hit, I left school because I wasn’t 100% sure what exactly I wanted to study,” Andrey said. Re-enlisting gave him the stability he needed during an unpredictable time.

His military service offered structure and financial security, but his path took another turn when he was injured and subsequently medically retired from the Army. Andrey began thinking seriously about returning to school, this time with a clearer sense of direction: a degree in psychology with a minor in sociology, and a long-term goal of working with Homeland Security to help target traffickers.

Returning to school wasn’t a decision he made lightly. He was aware of the challenges ahead, including the re-enrollment process, balancing academic responsibilities with his personal life, and moving across the country from Texas to Virginia.

Expediting re-enrollment

Andrey’s path back to ODU began with a message from a ReUp Success Coach. Unsure of the process and what steps to take, he reached out for help.

“My Success Coach made sure I was taken care of. It took away a lot of the stress of figuring out what I needed to do to get back into school,” he said.

His Success Coach provided practical, actionable support: specific steps, links, phone numbers, and contacts so Andrey could re-enroll as quickly as possible. “My Success Coach helped expedite the process to get myself back in classes, making the transition a lot smoother,” Andrey said. “The most valuable advice I was given was just to take that step. Don’t wait until it’s super easy to sign up for classes.”

The support continued after re-enrollment. Andrey was balancing coursework with a demanding schedule and navigating the added complexity of moving across the country during the first week of class.

“The biggest challenge was adjusting to a different time zone and balancing work with school, but I made it work,” he explained.

The importance of personalized support

ReUp’s approach ensured that Andrey’s specific needs were addressed. From detailed information on the re-enrollment process to consistent encouragement, his transition back to ODU was smoother than he anticipated.

“Just take that step and jump in,” he said. “There’s always going to be things happening, but going back to school and getting closer to that degree is something you’ll never regret.”

With his sights set on a career in Homeland Security, Andrey is working toward something that matters to him. “It’s never too late to go back to school. Getting that degree will always be something you can be proud of.”

Learner pro tip “Just take that step and jump in. There’s always going to be things happening, but going back to school and getting closer to that degree is something you’ll never regret.” — Andrey Mazuera