2021 Tillman Scholar
Heriberto Arambula is a first-generation Latino doctoral student and combat veteran who served 11 years in the U.S. Army and U.S. Coast Guard. He currently serves as the outreach and engagement fellow of the House of Representatives Office of the Whistleblower Ombuds. Emboldened by the tragic events of 9/11, he enlisted and deployed to Sadr City, Baghdad, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II. Motivated by the stories of transitioning families returning home, he hopes to amend the public narratives impacting his fellow veterans’ social success.
Inspired by his inclusion in Martha Raddatz’s The Long Road Home, Eddie’s research continues the complex story of war and family affecting post-military life. Eddie holds B.A.s in history and political science from Arizona State University. He completed an M.A. in teaching at the University of Southern California, where he also completed the master of business for veterans. His story was featured in Transitions in Leadership: The Story of the MBV, A Unique Program for Transitioning Veterans, authored by the inaugural director, Dr. Robert B. Turrill.
Eddie is currently a Ph.D. candidate at Texas State University, investigating trauma and social integration experiences among Central Texas veteran communities. His most recent publication in Education and Society, “In Defense of Education: Schooling, Teaching, Learning and Leading in Globalized Educational Contexts,” was co-authored with Dr. Duncan Waite. Eddie plans to use his extensive experiences to continue supporting veterans in higher education.