Christina Hernandez

Operation THRIVE

Military-Connected Community and Culture

I developed Operation THRIVE as a culturally responsive training program to bridge the gap between higher education institutions and the military-connected students they serve.

During my work with student veterans and military-affiliated learners, I identified a significant need for increased faculty and staff awareness regarding military culture. I created this project to move beyond general compliance and toward practical, strengths-based strategies that foster truly inclusive campus environments.

"Did you possibly have a quote or testimonial you might be able to use here to lend social proof?"

Optional Attribution

The Vision:
From Deficit to Strength

My goal with this training is to reframe the narrative. Rather than focusing solely on the "struggles" of transitioning veterans, I highlight the immense assets these students bring to our campus communities: leadership, resilience, teamwork, and adaptability.

Marines practice tactical combat casualty care training

The curriculum guides participants through:

  • Cultural Fluency: Understanding the unique values, structures, and lived experiences of military service.
  • Veteran Critical Theory: I use this framework to challenge monolithic portrayals of veterans, emphasizing their diverse, intersectional identities.
  • The RANK Framework: A practical tool I developed to help educators Recognize, Accommodate, Normalize, and build Knowledge around military-connected needs.

Interactive Methodology

I believe that sustainable institutional change happens through reflection, not just lectures. Operation THRIVE is designed to be highly interactive, featuring:

  • Case-Study Analysis: Applying theoretical concepts to real-world institutional contexts.
  • Reflective Discussions: Encouraging staff and faculty to examine their own assumptions and identify hidden institutional barriers.
  • Actionable Recommendations: Every session concludes with campus-specific resources and concrete steps to improve student services and classroom practices.

Through Operation THRIVE, I am committed to helping institutions recognize that supporting military-connected learners is not just a service. It is a commitment to cultural responsiveness and student success.