Veteran Integration Through Education | Landon Waters | TEDxUTulsa

NOTE FROM TED: This talk only represents the speaker’s personal views and experiences. We’ve flagged this talk because it falls outside the content guidelines TED gives TEDx organizers. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: When we think about student minority groups, we often consider racial or ethnic backgrounds or different fields of study. However, one highly accomplished yet frequently overlooked minority is student veterans. Let’s explore how education plays a crucial role in helping veterans integrate into civilian life and succeed in their academic and professional pursuits. In this talk, Landon shares his own story and the accomplishments of his fellow veterans in their post-service education. From extremely high grade point averages to building their own community on the college campus, veteran students are an integral part of the college climate and work tirelessly to better both themselves and the community around them. Through Landon’s expertise, we’re able to capitalize these achievements and share the recognition our veteran students deserve. Raised in a military family, Landon is a second-generation college student studying Industrial/Organizational Psychology. After graduating high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army as a helicopter mechanic. During his eight years of military service, he was deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq. After the military, Landon served as a police officer with the Department of Defense as a supervisor and field training officer. He then obtained his Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Criminal Justice and Psychology from SOSO. Landon is a Leadership Fellow with the Student Veterans Association (SVA) and is the Director of Communications for the Tulsa University SVA chapter. Landon’s educational goal is to obtain his PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. His research interests are in the human capital and organization of federal and military organizations, servicemembers, and veterans. Currently, Landon spends most of his time studying or helping others across various TU organizations. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at