Kellie Artis of Virtual Veterans Communities Named 2023 Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program Scholar
2023 VLP Scholar
Artis joins national network of leaders working to improve outcomes for our Nation's veterans
Kellie Artis has been named one of 34 Scholars who will form the George W. Bush Institute's Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program's fifth annual class. The program is a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at individuals serving our Nation's veterans and their families who are motivated to broaden their skillsets, knowledge, and influence across the country.
Participants were selected after a rigorous application and interview process. Throughout the five-month program, they will meet with a variety of nationally-known and distinguished professionals, educators, and experts in veteran transition and leadership development, such as the eighth United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald, retired United States Air Force General Alfred Flowers, and Bush Institute Senior Fellow Dr. Deborah Birx. They will attend the first three sessions at the George W. Bush Presidential Center and will travel to Washington, D.C. for the fourth session. The program will conclude at the Bush Center in November.
Kellie Artis serves as Director of Communications at Virtual Veterans Communities (VVC), where she helps universities improve educational experiences for military-connected students through innovative multimedia content, digital community building, and virtual event and video production. A military spouse herself, Artis was a founding team member at MILLIE, where she worked to connect active-duty military families with essential resources and professional services to alleviate the stress of frequent relocations.
Through participation in the Veteran Leadership Program, Artis will provide training and resources to colleges and universities, ultimately helping transitioning veterans and military spouses make informed and inspired decisions about their academic careers and future endeavors.
"I am incredibly honored to have been selected amongst such an esteemed group of applicants, and I am excited to join this cohort." Artis states, "Having witnessed the impact from previous Veteran Leadership Program Scholars ripple throughout the military community, I am eager to see how the class of 2023 can continue to make waves for veterans, military spouses and families."
The Veteran Leadership Program is part of the Bush Institute's commitment to developing and supporting effective leaders, and it builds on the organization's extensive body of work on veteran transition issues. Each participant joins the program with a personal leadership project, which allows them to implement what they learn in the program in service of improving outcomes in veteran and military-connected communities across the United States.
During the five-month program, Artis will enhance and refine VVC’s syndicated virtual event series, which aims to expand horizons for military-connected students. The video content and custom platform are intended for use at scale with universities and colleges serving military-connected students and will offer a conduit for those who have transitioned well to share their insights with those who are still discovering their path.
"Kellie Artis has deep, first-hand knowledge of the military and exceptional talent for digital media and community building. This combination of skill and compassion for military families and veterans is reflected in the great work she does every day," says Chris Tilghman, CEO of Virtual Veterans Communities. "We look forward to seeing how she will use this experience with the Bush Institute to develop new and innovative strategies to support this population."
The new cohort of Scholars joins an active network of more than 170 alumni from four previous classes who are rising leaders – both veterans and non-veterans – from a wide range of sectors who are working to improve veteran outcomes. They hold a variety of roles, including business and community leaders, members of veteran-serving nonprofits, as well as leaders in government, academia, and active and reserve military service members.
The 2023 program will begin on July 11 in Dallas, Texas.
George W. Bush Institute
The George W. Bush Institute is a solution-oriented nonpartisan policy organization focused on ensuring opportunity for all, strengthening democracy, and advancing free societies. Housed within the George W. Bush Presidential Center, the Bush Institute is rooted in compassionate conservative values and committed to creating positive, meaningful, and lasting change at home and abroad. We utilize our unique platform and convening power to advance solutions to national and global issues of the day. Learn more at bushcenter.org.
Virtual Veterans Communities
Virtual Veterans Communities (VVC) is a mission-driven organization dedicated to improving higher education outcomes for military-connected students. We partner with colleges, universities, foundations and others to increase enrollment, completion and career readiness of students who are active-duty military, veterans, or military family members. Our approach combines best practices in marketing, enrollment and persistence for military-connected students with digital communities, one-on-one student coaching and institutional capacity building. The result is a scalable, cost-effective approach to meeting the unique needs of this important and high-potential student population. Learn how VVC can help your institution enroll and retain high-quality military-connected students.
