Hailing from Ruskin, Florida, 28-year-old Anthony Rivera has come a long way to earn his degree in computer science engineering technology.
At the age of 22, Rivera enlisted in the military. Though it was difficult, Rivera said it was the best decision he ever made.
Anthony Rivera, a senior studying computer science engineering technology, chose UToledo because it offered a strong engineering program that would fit in with the GI Bill.
“It was not easy, especially being a couch potato at first. I was expected to run two, three miles without stopping,” he said. “I did that for four years. I worked in Landstuhl, Germany, basically working in satellite communications with a mixture of Cisco networking.”
After his service came to an end, Rivera was ready for the next chapter in his career, which was furthering his skill in the field of computer technology.
“As I was getting out of the military, I knew I wanted to do something with computers,” Rivera said. “At first, I wasn’t sure if that would be software or hardware, but I realized that I wanted something that fits both niches.”
Rivera said he enlisted to take advantage of the GI bill, which aids in tuition and education expenses for veterans. This defined his search for a school that would cater to his career interests.
“At the time, the GI Bill hadn’t adjusted for inflation, so going back to Florida — which is very expensive — wouldn’t have been an option,” he said. “I found UToledo off a Google search when I was looking for a good engineering program that would fit in with the GI Bill.”
As a transfer student from Hillsborough Community College in Hillsborough County, Florida, Rivera arrived at UToledo far from home — no friends, family members or even a network to start from. That was until he began working at the Office of Multicultural Student Success (OMSS).
“I wanted to have a job on campus, and I thought OMSS sounded like a decent first job outside of the military,” Rivera said. “I figured it was a good way to learn about the University while getting paid.”
Robert Woodley, program manager for retention at OMSS, not only interviewed and hired Rivera, but supported him through the large transition between military and civilian life.
“Anthony is a principled young man with a heart of gold, as genuine as they come,” Woodley said. “The thing that makes Anthony unique is his experience but also his point of view. He didn’t come to UToledo the traditional way but, nonetheless, he ingratiated himself into the community to grow as an individual. His time at OMSS led to plenty of stirring conversations and understanding. UToledo couldn’t find a better man who instills the beliefs of the Power to Do.”
Now a senior, Rivera has since moved on from OMSS to work at the IT department at UTMC. He also has worked hard to get involved on campus, including joining the Sigma Beta Lambda fraternity and serving as treasurer for the Global Latin Student Union.
“Becoming a Rocket has led to immense personal development,” Rivera said. “College is hard — it doesn’t really matter what major you pick. You won’t always get an A on every assignment. It’s not about how you start. It’s about how you finish.”
