WASHINGTON — The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Student Veterans of America (SVA) are proud to name the selectees for the 2026-2027 VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship program. Through the nearly semester-long experience, cohort members will be equipped with leadership and advocacy training, which they will apply to a federal policy issue impacting student veterans.
“Leading as a veteran comes in many forms, and mentoring fellow veterans in advocacy can be a powerful way for them to realize their leadership potential outside the military,” said VFW National Commander Cory Geisler. “Through the VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship program, student veterans learn to take a policy issue and lead the development and execution of an advocacy campaign that reaches not only their home community but the halls of Congress. I couldn’t be more excited for this year’s fellows, and I look forward to meeting and congratulating each of them in March.”
The VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship is an immersive experience wherein fellows receive advocacy training and mentorship from each organization’s professional staff, create community outreach plans and actively engage community and national leaders on a policy priority of mutual interest for the VFW and SVA. To qualify for the fellowship, student veterans must be a VFW member, be currently enrolled in an accredited college or university program, write an essay conveying the importance of veteran advocacy, submit a video detailing why they are a good fit for the program, and complete an interview.
“The VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship continues to demonstrate the incredible potential of student veterans to shape the policies that impact their communities,” said SVA President and Chief Executive Officer Cory Boatwright. “As we welcome the 2026-2027 cohort, we are excited to see these exceptional individuals bring their unique experiences, perspectives and commitment to service into the policymaking process. Through mentorship, hands-on advocacy and direct engagement with lawmakers, these fellows will develop the skills, relationships and confidence to become effective advocates for veterans and military-connected students. Together with the VFW, we are proud to invest in the next generation of leaders who will ensure the voices of those who have served continue to be heard and represented in the halls of Congress and beyond.”
Each fellowship class is comprised of six veterans. The 2026-2027 selectees are:
- Andres Ruiz Grijalva, Marine Corps veteran, Princeton University
- Raymond Eberle, Army veteran, University of Southern California
- Shaun Paris, Navy veteran, Dartmouth College
- Joshua Missouri, Army veteran, Texas A&M University-Central Texas
- Anna Guerrero, Army veteran, Florida International University
- Sheryl Torres, Air Force veteran, California Baptist University
Fellows will attend the 19th annual SVA National Conference (NatCon) in Grapevine, Texas, Jan. 4 – 6, 2027, before traveling to Washington, D.C., for the VFW Washington Conference at the end of February, where they will join more than 500 VFW advocates to bring veterans’ priorities directly to Capitol Hill. While on Capitol Hill, they will be paired with VFW delegations from their respective home states to employ the skills they learned throughout the program to advocate directly to lawmakers and their legislative staff on the shared VFW-SVA policy priority.
Now in its 13th year, the VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship program develops leaders in the veteran advocacy space and beyond, many of whom have made, or continue to make, meaningful contributions in their communities and at the national level. Past fellows have gone on to work for the VFW, SVA, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families. The program endures as a lasting commitment between two organizations to uplift and serve veterans.
To interview any of the selected fellows, contact VFW National Legislative Service Deputy Director, Gabby Kubinyi, at gkubinyi@vfw.org.
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About Student Veterans of America: Student Veterans of America® (SVA) empowers student veterans and military-affiliated students through a national network of campus chapters and mission-driven advocacy that supports success to, through, and beyond higher education. Founded by veterans in 2008, SVA is led by veterans and dedicated to veteran success. For more information, visit studentveterans.org.