Board's Newest Member has Extensive Military Experience

Mitchell Schwartz, who lives in Yorktown with his wife and son, enjoys trail running and trail riding.

During his 26 years in the military, Mitchell Schwartz was involved with a number of volunteer organizations, but he never served on any boards. However, he always promised himself that would change once his active duty status came to an end.

He has fulfilled that promise, being named to the Thomas Nelson Community College Board in July.

"Once I got out (of the military), whatever community I was in, I wanted to be a part of that community," he said.

That community just happened to be the Peninsula, where he has lived since being stationed at Langley Air Force Base in 2015 until his recent retirement. He met his wife (Stephanie), who's a 20-year veteran, in the military and they were married in 2010. Their son, Hunter, was born two years later.

"Our son's in school here and he loves it, so we figured we'd make this home," Schwartz said.

During his previous volunteer experiences, which include Habitat for Humanity, Ronald McDonald House, Air Force Aid Society, One City Marathon (Newport News) and the Humane Society, he often talked with board members. They encouraged him to join their boards, but he was always too busy. Not as much anymore, even though he works as a civilian as Strategic Operations manager for the Air Force at Langley. His duties include coordinating humanitarian and natural disaster relief efforts worldwide.

He jumped at the chance to join Thomas Nelson, even though he had no ties to the College and didn't know any board members.

"I happened to see that board opening on the York County website, and I'm a huge advocate for education. That really excited me," he said.

Schwartz, who replaced Dr. Perry L. Showalter on the board, also has community college experience. He grew up near Indianapolis and went to Indiana Vocational Technical College for a year before joining the Air Force. Education and the military have been big parts of his life ever since.

"While I was in the military, I always had that nagging urge to go back to school and I finally did," he said.

He was stationed in Nebraska for about 10 years, and during that time he earned a bachelor's of science in National Security, and a master's in Public Administration, both from Bellevue University. He also has a graduate certificate in Project Management from George Washington University's School of Business.

"As a military member, I always pushed my subordinates to get college degrees and to better themselves before they got out of the military," he said. "I thought (being on the board) would be a fantastic opportunity to touch my community, by encouraging folks to go to college."

Those ties to the military makes Schwartz a great fit for the board, said Chair Mike Kuhns.

"I think the connection … will be beneficial as we serve the military, active and retirees and veteran population," Kuhns said. "I think he will be a good advocate for educational services."

Schwartz's experience in the Air Force included being a Command and Control Operations Specialist, and he was stationed in the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. That leadership experience will also be beneficial to the College Board.

"I think his big strength is his military experience, and the leadership skills developed as a result of military service," Kuhns said. "It's good to have somebody with that experience who still is a civilian."

Kuhns said keeping transitioning service members in the area improves the workforce.

"I think that connection is a strong thing for us," he said.

Schwartz, who notes, "I'm brand new to this whole board thing," is looking forward to taking advantage of his military background.

"A lot of the students may be former military so I can maybe give that aspect. Maybe, I can give some insight to the board. That part may help," he said.

Kuhns said an area the Board needs help with is finance, so Schwartz was assigned to that committee.

"That's a great way to learn," Kuhns said. "He'll get his feet wet."

Schwartz is willing to help out wherever needed.

"Obviously, I've got a lot to learn," he said. "I've never been on a board, so honestly, I'm just looking forward to the experience."

The mission of the Thomas Nelson Community College Board is to serve as a liaison for the college president, community, and the Virginia State Board for Community Colleges; and to perform the duties and responsibilities assigned by the Virginia State Board for Community Colleges. Each board member is appointed for four years, and then their locality can ask if the board member wants to be re-appointed for another four years.