The Magnificent Seven – the 37 Scholars of the Seventh Cohort of the Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program (VLP) – officially joined more than 240 leaders across the nation as alumni last month, becoming part of a connected community of values-driven problem solvers tackling the biggest issues impacting veterans and military-connected families.
This tight-knit group of leaders came together in June from across the country, representing demographics across the spectrum. When they arrived at the George W. Bush Institute to begin their journey, they didn’t know each other or what to expect. But they knew they would be pushed in new ways, make new connections, and take significant steps to better serve veterans and military families.
Thirty-seven quickly became the Magnificent Seven, a name they came up with to unite them as one. Individual leaders in their own right, they encouraged each other to dream bigger, reach higher, and push further. Politics didn’t matter: They found commonality in their calling to serve the veteran and military family community. And in that commonality, they found safety in their friendships.
“Working with my small group was critical to getting honest feedback,” one Scholar shared. “Conversations with faculty allowed me to think outside the box. Chatting throughout the day about what I’m working on, Scholars would share their perspective. Scholars reviewed my slides and offered advice to make better. The overall warmth of my cohort and [their] willingness to be there at a drop of a dime was amazing.”
Over the course of their five-month program, the Scholars engaged in faculty sessions on core curriculum topics, learned from inspirational speakers, and connected with each other in deep conversations about the state of our nation and the experiences of military-connected individuals and families.
In their fifth and final module in November, the Scholars presented their personal leadership projects, covering topics such as addressing food insecurity in military families, financial literacy for service members and veterans, and addressing the needs of the military child in schools.
The Scholars implemented the leadership lessons they learned from the Bush Institute faculty and guest speakers in their projects, each designed to improve outcomes for veterans and military families.
The comfort and support they found in each other was on full display as they cheered each other on, watching each Scholar present their work with pride.
It was evident that the lessons in vision and communication, decision-making, persuasion and influence, strategic partnerships and collaboration informed and changed strategies and approaches to their work. But it was also striking how the connections the Scholars made with each other helped to evolve, expand, and enhance their projects.
The learning sessions were designed to help these leaders make a greater positive impact for their communities. But while the moments in the classroom were important and valuable, the moments outside the classroom cemented lifelong friendships.
This is the power of the Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program and its network – citizens from differing perspectives and points of view working toward a greater good.
Interested in joining the powerful Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program alumni network, now 280 individuals strong? Applications for the eighth cohort are now open through Jan. 7, 2026.
