Air Force Veteran Heather Smith Finds Welcoming Home at MS State Online

Heather Smith’s journey to earning her bachelor’s degree in psychology from MS State Online is both the fulfillment of a lifelong dream and a powerful reflection of what a truly supportive academic community can make possible.

Smith, 41, is a disabled Air Force veteran who lives in Summerville, South Carolina, with her husband Matthew, a retired Air Force veteran, and their two children, Allison and Andrew.

Originally from Wiggins, Mississippi, Smith graduated from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and enlisted in the Air Force, where she was trained as a surgical technician. During a tour of duty in Afghanistan, she witnessed firsthand the emotional toll of war on her fellow service members.

“The experience really opened my eyes,” she recalled. “Many soldiers were struggling, and there wasn’t always enough mental health support available. I made time to listen, to sit with them when they needed someone. That’s when I discovered my passion for helping others.”

That experience would ultimately guide her toward studying psychology. When Smith decided to go back to school in 2018, she initially enrolled in another university’s online degree program that promoted its veteran support. It ended up being a disappointment.

“They were only interested in the bottom line,” she said. “Mississippi State was the polar opposite. Everyone was personable and supportive. When I got sick, my professors reached out to check on me. They really cared about me as a person, not just as a student. They made me feel like I belonged.”

Smith credits MSU’s Military and Veteran Assistance programs for making her enrollment process and GI Bill benefits straightforward and stress-free. She also found incredible encouragement in her instructors, whose guidance and reassurance helped her excel and ultimately graduate in December 2025.

“When I decided to go back to school, I knew I couldn’t physically be on campus while raising my family and managing my health,” Smith said. “Every step of the way, Mississippi State made it easier than I ever expected, and their commitment to veterans is outstanding.”

Smith plans to pursue master’s degree studies in rehabilitation and clinical psychology. She’s also drawn to nature and wildlife and one day hopes to establish a wildlife refuge where veterans can help rehabilitate injured animals—an experience that can be mutually healing.

“I always tell my friends who’ve put off college that you’re never too old to go back to school,” she said. “Mississippi State didn’t just help me finish my degree — they helped me rediscover what I’m capable of. It was the perfect choice for my life, my family and my future.”