Central Michigan University

Doctor of Health Administration student named Air Force Fellow

Friday, January 4, 2008

Topics in this story: Awards, Government and politics, Health

A student veteran in Central Michigan University's Doctor of Health Administration program will have the opportunity to serve his country on native soil.

Maj. Bryan Winter has received a prestigious U.S. Air Force Fellowship that will place him in a state representative's office on Capitol Hill beginning Jan. 3.

He joins the office of congresswoman Kirsten E. Gillibrand, a member of the House Armed Services Committee. Winter will remain on active status with the U.S. Air Force while representing the Department of Defense on Rep. Gillibrand's personal staff.

Competition for the Air Force Fellowship is spirited, as only majors, lieutenants and colonels in the Air Force are eligible. The branch then selects fellows from a national pool of applicants who have the highest academic credentials and potential for senior staff duty.

Winter had to overcome more challenges on the road to his doctoral degree than most students. The active reserve airman continued his education despite two disruptions of his degree program. He was deployed to Iraq for the first time in November 2003 and was called to a second tour of duty in January 2007.

Winter's schedule changed dramatically upon his first tour in Iraq. He worked 16-hour days, forcing him to temporarily leave the DHA program. With the help of his professors, Winter was able to remain in the distance-learning program upon his second deployment. Professors in the program were flexible, coordinating online sessions as well as locating proctors abroad to administer his exams.

"Bryan Winter is one example of how CMU's commitment to distance education has enabled individuals to attain advanced degrees who would otherwise have no such opportunity," said Bernie Kerr, interim director of the DHA program. "Bryan's progress toward his degree, despite two deployments to Iraq, is evidence the program works as planned and as advertised."

Winter feels that this specialized instruction and his participation in the DHA program were major contributing factors to his selection for the fellowship, which seeks to develop candidates' leadership competencies and evaluation of U.S. national security policies.

He is excited about the opportunity to influence those who make policy decisions. "Fellows can educate government officials based on our respective areas of expertise, which could be health care, military science, space systems or other areas," Winter said. "Representatives are not always familiar with the issues surrounding those who serve in the armed forces. I have the chance to help them make the right decisions on policy matters that are important to servicemen and women."

Winter is working to receive his doctorate by December 2008. He currently holds a bachelor's degree in urban studies from Georgia State University and a master's degree in public administration from Troy State University. Following his participation in the fellowship, Winter plans to work for the U.S. government in Veterans Affairs or Health and Human Services.

Central Michigan University is one of the leading and largest providers of off-campus programs in North America. The university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees and operates in more than 60 locations throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico.