National Advocate for Purple Star Schools
“No matter what, moving is a big deal. Just one move can change your whole life.”
Evan, Grade 10 Chapin High School, El Paso, TX
Military-connected families are often moved every two to three years – which causes significant educational and socialemotional upheaval for students. The Purple Star School program helps schools respond to these challenges with consistent, effective approaches to keep students on track to be college-, work-, and life-ready.
As the Purple Star Schools’ national advocate, MCEC is America’s most complete resource for states and districts that seek to start or expand their Purple Star School programs. By September 9, 2024, 42 states had achieved Purple Star School designation, and five more states have proposed/pending legislation underway.
The PSS Launch Vehicle: 360 Summits
One way MCEC helps this effort is with its 360 Summits –community-wide, multi-faceted events that bring communities ideas, programs and opportunities for serving military-connected children and families. The Summits include sessions and workshops for students, parents, and youth-serving professionals.
MCEC held seven of these summits over the past year, in Texas, Alabama, and South Carolina. Two in particular – in El Paso and Fort Cavazos, Texas – offered remarkable proof that including Purple Star content in the summit can deliver powerful results:
Texas has over 900 Purple Star School designations, with a 300% increase in designations from 2023 to 2024.
360 SUMMITS:
“The MCEC 360 Summit was a very informative and energetic setting. It provided my team with the tools needed to better serve military-connected families while understanding daily challenges, as well as a platform to network with other educators and students in order to successfully implement new ideas and solve real-world problems.”
Jessica Meléndez-Carrillo, Ed.D. | Principal Congressman Silvestre and Carolina Reyes Elementary School, Canutillo Independent School District
“Knowing that I’m not alone means more than you can imagine.”
STUDENT STORIES
Julio, Washington
Harlon, from Alabama, adopted the role of the “class clown” soon after arrival. Julio, from Washington state, was extremely serious about his responsibilities. Despite their different demeanors, these two young men began a lasting friendship. Julio sensed that Harlon was hiding anxieties behind his humor, and Harlon saw that Julio needed help to lower his defenses around others. Now, months later and half a continent apart, both Harlan and Julio credit MCEC with giving them a new best friend.
MCEC’s Caregiving Youth Leadership Program
“Being a caregiver isn’t easy. The program taught us how to cope with stress, and how being vulnerable with others allows for healthy relationships.”
The realities of military life mean that some young people find themselves thrust into a huge responsibility: Caregiving for a parent or family member who has come home from deployment with injuries that might be physical, emotional, or both.
These kids have the weight of the world on their young shoulders. To help, MCEC created its Caregiving Youth Student Leadership Program in 2023. The program cultivates leadership knowledge and abilities, teaches how to find resources for assistance, and helps prepare students for life after high school.
We seek out student caregivers who demonstrate leadership potential, and invite them to apply for the program’s five-day retreat. Those accepted are brought in at no charge to them or
their families. The program is active, and intense –there are skill- and character-building activities, and lessons focused on preparing to be college-, work-, and life-ready.
This program is powered by Wounded Warrior Project® to honor and empower post-9/11 injured service members, veterans, and their families.
Harlon, Alabama
Jacob’s Journey: Finding Connection and Purpose through MCEC
“Student 2 Student has provided a community of welcoming and accepting people in my journey through school.”
Jacob S., a senior at Bob Jones High School in Huntsville, Alabama, has attended schools in five states as part of his Army family’s journey. His introduction to MCEC’s Student 2 Student® (S2STM) program came in 7th grade, when a peer welcomed him at a new school. Inspired by this support, Jacob joined S2S the next year, eager to help other military-connected students feel a sense of belonging.
In 2023, Jacob’s commitment led to his selection for MCEC’s Frances Hesselbein Student Leadership ProgramTM (FHSLP) at the United States Military Academy at West Point, an opportunity for ten select students nationwide. At West Point, Jacob joined cadets and MCEC mentors in character-building and leadership workshops. He described FHSLP as “transformative,” giving him lasting friendships and strengthening skills he now brings to his S2S work.
In 2024, MCEC launched its Student Advisory Council (SAC), a longplanned and important new initiative. After completing the FHSLP, Jacob was invited to join the SAC’s inaugural class for a two-year term. The Council gives high school students an opportunity to expand their leadership skills, engage with peers, identify issues faced by military-connected youth, and build their advocacy skills to create positive solutions.
Jacob’s story is one of many. Reflecting on his MCEC journey, Jacob shared how S2S provided “a community of welcoming and accepting people” at each new school, a goal he now strives to offer others. For Jacob, MCEC and FHSLP have been more than programs—they’ve been a path to lifelong friendships, service, and leadership.
“My family’s move to Alabama was difficult, right in the middle of 7th grade. When my brother and I arrived at school, an S2S tour guide was there to greet us. This new relationship and the acceptance we felt were so comforting. I joined the program the next year to help others like me.”
STUDENT 2 STUDEN T:
Jacob’s experiences with the FHSLP and SAC energized his participation at MCEC’s Global Training Summit (GTS) in Washington, D.C. Taking the stage, Jacob confidently addressed over 600 military leaders, educators, child development experts, and fellow students on the impact of S2S:
Also at the Summit, Jacob led over 100 students in S2S workshops, using his experiences to guide them in creating welcoming school environments.
2024 Major Funders
Our heartfelt thanks to the following donors for their generous support of our mission:
ADS
Association of Military Banks of America
BAE Systems
The Boeing Company
Mr. Lionel Campos
CareSource
COL (Ret) Charlie Carlton
College Board
LTC (Ret) Gregory and Mrs. Elizabeth Cook
CSX
Defense Credit Union Council
Mr. Bob Eisiminger
Emerson
General Dynamics
Mr. Timothy Goodell
LTG (Ret) Stan Green and Mrs. Pamela Green
Gregory Electric Company, Inc.
ADM (Ret) Cecil B. Haney
H-E-B
James Avery Charitable Giving
LiteFighter Systems, LLC
Lockheed Martin Space
Mason Brown Family Foundation
Military-Civilian Charitable Foundation
OshKosh Defense Corporation
Mr. & Mrs. John Porter
Reed Smith LLP
GEN (Ret) Dennis Reimer and Mrs. Mary Jo Reimer
Sid W. Richardson Foundation
Ms. Cindy Simerly
Star Supermarket & Discount Pharmacy
Textron Inc.
Tutor.com USAA
The USAA Foundation
Veterans United Foundation
Woodyard Family Foundation
Wounded Warrior Project
“As Chairman of the Board, I am proud to champion the mission of the Military Child Education Coalition. Ensuring that military-connected children receive unwavering support and access to quality education is not just our responsibility— it’s our privilege. These children serve alongside their families, and we are dedicated to empowering their futures through stability, opportunity, and excellence.”
Cecil D. Haney Admiral, United States Navy (Retired)
Board Chair, Military Child Education Coalition
“It has been my privilege to lead MCEC into this exciting new chapter. Our partners will continue to serve as the backbone of the Coalition.”
Dr. Becky Porter
President & CEO, Military Child Education Coalition
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Officers
Admiral (Ret) Cecil Haney, Chair
Patrick Bingham, Ph.D., Vice Chair/Treasurer
Alissa Harrison, D.M., Vice Chair/Secretary
Colonel (Ret) Eric M. Flake, M.D., Vice Chair
Major General (Ret) Robert Ivany, Ph.D., Vice Chair
Jerrod Wheeler, Ed.D., Vice Chair
Members
Command Sergeant Major (Ret) Donna Brock
Mrs. Becky Cederholm
Major General (Ret) Dawne Deskins
Mr. Bob Eisiminger
Ms. Lucy Reilly Fitch
David G. Henry, J.D.
Ms. Susan Moore
Mr. Jim Speltz
The Honorable Debra Wada
Members Emeriti
Ms. Cathryn Franks
Brigadier General (Ret) Robert Gaylord
General (Ret) Benjamin Griffin
William Harrison, Ed.D.
Lieutenant General (Ret) Don Jones
Mary Keller, Ed.D.
James Mitchell, Ed.D.
Ms. Kathleen O'Beirne
Mr. Robert Ray
Mrs. Mary Jo Reimer
Mrs. Sandy Schwartz
General (Ret) Thomas A. Schwartz
Mrs. Patricia Shinseki
Mrs. Zoe Trautman
Mrs. Joyce Ward
SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD
Executive Committee
Colonel (Ret) Eric M. Flake, M.D., Co-Chair
Leanne K. Knobloch, Ph.D., Co-Chair
Richard M. Lerner, Ph.D.
Patricia Lester, M.D.
Members
Kimberly S. Dickman, Ed.D.
Kenneth R. Ginsburg, M.D.
Elizabeth J. Hisle-Gorman, MSW, Ph.D.
Colonel David A. Klein, M.D., MPH
Jacqueline V. Lerner, Ph.D.
Gregory A. Leskin, Ph.D.
Mallory Lucier-Greer, Ph.D.
Shelley MacDermid Wadsworth, Ph.D.
Ann S. Masten, Ph.D., L.P.
Daniel F. Perkins, Ph.D.
NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Ms. Charlene Austin
The Honorable Valerie Baldwin
Ms. Patricia “Tosh” Barron
The Honorable Carolyn H. Becraft
General (Ret) B.B. Bell
Major General (Ret) Charles Bolden, Jr.
Mr. Scott Bousum
Commander (Ret) Brunhilde K. Bradley
Dr. Chuck Brooks
The Honorable John Carter and Mrs. Carter (Erika)
General (Ret) and Mrs. George Casey (Sheila)
General (Ret) and Mrs. Peter Chiarelli (Beth)
Lieutenant General (Ret) and Mrs. Kurt Cichowski (Laura)
The Honorable Chet Edwards and Mrs. Edwards (Lea Ann)
General (Ret) Tommy R. Franks
Vice Admiral (Ret) and Mrs. William French (Monika)
Ms. Regina Pedigo Galvin
The Honorable Pete Geren
Mr. Roy Gibson
The Honorable Robert L. Gordon III
Major General (Ret) Gus L. Hargett, Jr.
Rear Admiral (Ret) and Mrs. Leendert Hering (Sharon)
Colonel (Ret) and Mrs. Anthony R. Hernandez (Jennifer)
General (Ret) James T. Hill and Dr. Toni Hill
Lieutenant General (Ret) and Mrs. William Ingram (Lil)
Ms. Marianne Ivany
Lieutenant General (Ret) and Mrs. Darrell Jones (Holly)
Mr. Gary Knell
General (Ret) and Mrs. Leon J. LaPorte (Judy)
General (Ret) and Mrs. Craig McKinley (Cheryl)
Mr. Drayton McLane, Jr.
Lieutenant General (Ret) and Mrs. Thomas Metz (Pam)
Dr. Robert Muller
General (Ret) and Mrs. Richard Myers (Mary Jo)
The Honorable James Peake and Mrs. Peake (Janice)
General (Ret) Dennis J. Reimer
Mr. Reginald Robinson
Mr. Gilbert Sanborn
Dr. Stefanie Sanford
General (Ret) and Mrs. Norton Schwartz (Suzie)
Mr. James H. Shelton III
Ms. Barbara A. Thompson
Lieutenant General (Ret) George J. Trautman III
Dr. P. Uri Treisman
Mrs. Ann Utley
The Honorable Rosemary Freitas Williams