Nakole Hill Wooley was only 18 when she joined the National Guard. Now 27 and an Iraqi veteran, she is pursuing a social work degree at William Woods University in hopes of helping other soldiers and their families when she graduates in May.

“Being able to take my experience and relate is very important,” she said.

In preparation for her career, she is completing a 500-hour internship at the Ike Skelton Missouri National Guard Family Assistance Center. Her supervisor is Marsha Barber Thompson, a 2007 WWU social work graduate. more