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Pursue Your Degree with a Top Military Educator.

NU offers 190+ career-focused programs with generous tuition discounts.

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Why Choose NU?

As a Veteran-founded nonprofit, National University offers convenient online course formats, credit for military experience, and dedicated support for military families.

• Military Friendly® School
• Tuition discounts range from 25% to more than 50%
• Yellow Ribbon school
• Achievable 4-and 8-week courses
• Dedicated military enrollment advisors
• Free tutoring, counseling, and mentoring

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A University Dedicated to Supporting the Whole You

As a top educator of the U.S. military, we understand your unique education journey. Whether you’re focused on a future in the military or planning on transitioning to civilian life, our Military Outreach Team is here to serve you.

NU’s Whole Human Education™ offers an innovative, 360-degree ecosystem built on five critical pillars of support: financial, academic, social and emotional, family life and community, and career. We’ll be with you side-by-side, every step of the way, helping you pursue your goals and achieve your dreams.

Desiree Butts

Executive Director

Military & VA Programs

[email protected]
703-775-2824

Desiree Butts

Executive Director Military & VA Programs

Desiree Butts is the Executive Director for Military & VA Programs at National University. In this role, she oversees National University’s military and veteran outreach activities in the U.S. and overseas, pursues partnership opportunities with military and veteran affiliated organizations, and connects military and veteran students and their family members to education and career development opportunities. Desiree has over 20 years of experience in DoD Voluntary Education, having served in numerous positions for Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps (HQMC) Voluntary Education and Library Programs prior to joining NU in 2010. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from Park University and a Master of Business Administration from National University. Desiree currently serves as the Conferment Officer for the Council of College and Military Educators and President for the Virginia Advisory Council on Military Education. She lives in Northern Virginia with her daughters, Leila and Alexandra who attend Norfolk State University, and her Mom, Darlene.

Mark Francisco

Director

Military & VA Relations, Territory IV

[email protected]
858-688-4586

Mark Francisco

Director Military & VA Relations, Territory IV

Mark Francisco joined National University as Manager, Strategic Partnership Military and Veteran Outreach, Territory IV in March of 2014, after serving 30 years in the United States Marine Corps. Territory IV includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Mark was a formal school instructor for approximately three years and is very passionate about service members taking advantage of education opportunities. While on active duty, he earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degree from National University.

Jeremiah Irvin

Regional Coordinator

Military & VA Relations, San Diego

[email protected]
951-383-5263

Jeremiah Irvin

Regional Coordinator Military & VA Relations, San Diego

Jeremiah is a MilVet Strategic Partnership Manager, at National University, serving Service members, veterans, and their families in the greater San Diego region. He is an Army veteran with over 10 years of active and reserve component service. Jeremiah joined National University’s military outreach team in 2017 and remains an active member in San Diego’s military and veteran communities. Prior to joining National University, Jeremiah supported numerous organizations as a Department of Defense contractor for Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) and Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and a Master of Arts in Strategic Communications from National University.

Zollie Allmond

Regional Coordinator

Military & VA Relations, Norfolk

[email protected]
757-615-4852

Zollie Allmond

Regional Coordinator Military & VA Relations, Norfolk

Zollie Allmond is National University’s Military & Veterans Partnership Manager where he devotes his time working with servicemembers, Veterans, and military families pursuing higher education in the Norfolk, and Hampton Roads, Virginia, area. With over 27 years of experience in the United States Navy, serving as Education Service Officer and a Career Information Program Manager, Zollie is enthusiastic about the military and understands the intricacies of DOD education policies, procedures, and initiatives. Prior to coming to National University, Zollie conducted community outreach activities to invigorate interest in business-to-business and government-to-business partnerships. He continues these efforts with National University to enhance the services and opportunities we provide to our students. Zollie holds degrees from Averett University and Grand Canyon University and serves as Education Alliance of Coastal Virginia Vice President. He is also an active member of the VFW and American Legion organizations.

Eduardo Leardo

Director

Military & VA Relations, Territory I

[email protected]
703-357-3880

Eduardo Leardo

Director Military & VA Relations, Territory I

Eduardo E. Leardo is the Manager for Military &VA Strategic Partnerships in the northeast for National University. He has managed and supported Military & Veteran programs at NU for thirteen years. Before joining National University in 2010, Eduardo served as a subject matter expert as the Combat Operational Stress Control Training Coordinator, Headquarters, United States Marine Corps, Quantico, VA. Prior to this assignment, he retired after thirty-one years of dedicated service from the U. S. Marine Corps and held numerous leadership and managerial positions. Eduardo is a Combat veteran and Purple Heart recipient. He is honored to connect our military and veteran affiliated students to educational and career development resources.

Leo Damiron

Manager

Military & Veteran Strategic Partnerships

[email protected]
813-293-9687

Leo Damiron

Manager Military & Veteran Strategic Partnerships

In his role as a Military & Veteran Strategic Partnerships Manager, Leo Damiron oversees National University’s military and veteran outreach activities in the southeastern U.S., pursues partnership opportunities with military- and veteran-affiliated organizations, and provides enrollment assistance to military and veteran students and their family members to empower them through higher education. Prior to joining National University’s Military & VA Programs team in 2022, Leo honorably served in the U.S. Marine Corps for eight years as an Aviation Supply Specialist. He held numerous leadership, management, and supervisory positions in the armed forces before devoting his life to workforce development efforts within the military and veteran population as evidenced by his service as the Tampa Bay Chamber’s Military Advisory Committee (MAC) Chair.

Donna Baker-Kerrick

Manager

Military & Veteran Strategic Scholarship

[email protected]
912-601-7103

Donna Baker-Kerrick

Military and Veteran Strategic Partnerships Managers

Donna Baker-Kerrick serves as one of the Military and Veteran Strategic Partnerships Managers at National University. She promotes military and veteran outreach activities within the Southeastern U.S., which includes partnership opportunities with business and industry, as well as military and veteran affiliated organizations. Donna has more than fifteen years in higher education and workforce development and has held numerous leadership positions. She grew up in a military family and values her lifelong affiliation with the military community.