For Xavier Roman, education is not just a personal achievement—it is a responsibility to lead others toward opportunity. A 27-year-old father of three, Xavier is a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army stationed at Camp Humphreys, South Korea. He’s also a graduate student at UCCS pursuing a master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in business analytics.
Xavier earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and double minors in Psychology and Criminal Justice from UCCS in May 2025.
He credits the UCCS HEROES Scholarship with making his educational success possible. The award helps active-duty military students at UCCS by covering the gap between their Military Tuition Assistance and the actual cost to attend school. The effort aims to ensure service members can fully focus on securing their future by removing financial hurdles.
“Receiving the HEROES Scholarship has definitely taken some financial burden off my family,” Xavier said. “My wife is a stay-at-home mother raising our kids. It also fueled my drive even more to wanting to complete my degree.”
Xavier’s appreciation for education goes beyond his own studies. As a Petroleum Supply Supervisor, he manages one non-commissioned officer and seven soldiers. He actively encourages them to pursue college, too.
“I advocate heavily for them to enroll in college,” Xavier said. “I was able to successfully persuade four of them to enroll into college and taught them how to sign up for FAFSA and Army tuition assistance.”
He said his efforts are an important part of his leadership role.
“There is no better feeling than seeing others pursuing a college degree to not only better themselves, but also set them up for success whether they decide to exit the military or pursue the military further,” he said.
Xavier’s own drive to succeed is rooted in his family story. Neither of his parents finished school—his father immigrated from Mexico with limited education and worked in construction, while his mother dropped out of high school at sixteen when she became pregnant with him.
“My inspiration for joining the Army was my grandfather who also served in the U.S Army from 1980 to 1984,” he said. “He passed away when I was two years old, but growing up my mom had his flag and picture displayed in the living room and I thought if he could do it so could I.”
Xavier enlisted and later chose UCCS for its personal approach to education.
“When I was stationed at Ft. Carson, I wanted something more personal with smaller classes,” he explained. “I wanted an institution that cared about the students and placed value on learning. I felt UCCS was that place and it did not disappoint, even now during my master’s program.”
Balancing active duty and academics was not easy. During a rotation in Poland in 2024, Xavier relied on USO Wi-Fi and hotspots to complete coursework.
“The USO Wi-Fi and hotspot during training exercises were my best friends,” he said.
He said the accommodating nature of his professors at UCCS was just as important.
“If I had fallen behind on classwork or felt as if I wasn’t going to submit an assignment on time due to military commitment or parent duties, my professors were really understanding and worked with me,” Xavier said. “I owe my success to them.”
Looking ahead, Xavier said he plans to continue serving while championing education for soldiers.
“Once I complete my master’s, I still see myself continuing to serve in the U.S. Army, being a leader and an advocate for higher education,” he said.
To learn more about making an investment in the HEROES scholarship, reach out to Martha Johnson or visit the HEROES campaign to make a gift.