Student Veterans of America and John Edelman Announce 2026 Scholarship Recipients

WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 19, 2026) – Student Veterans of America (SVA) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026–2027 John Edelman SVA Scholarship, recognizing seven exceptional student veterans preparing to advance mental and behavioral health care for veterans, service members, and their communities.

Established through the generosity of John Edelman, the scholarship supports student veterans pursuing careers dedicated to improving mental health and well-being within the veteran community. Each scholar receives a $10,000 award to support their continued education and professional development. This year’s scholars are pursuing advanced degrees in clinical psychology, social work, mental health counseling, and rehabilitation counseling, with interests spanning suicide prevention, traumatic brain injury, early intervention, and culturally informed care for military-affiliated populations.

Through their education, research, and clinical work, the 2026–2027 John Edelman Scholars are building on their commitment to service while helping shape the future of mental and behavioral health care.

Meet the 2026 John Edelman Scholars:

• Alain Monroy (Arizona State University | U.S. Army)
  Alain Monroy is pursuing a Master of Social Work in Clinical Behavioral and Integrative Health at Arizona State University, with the goal of building a career in military social work. He hopes to reach service members before mental health challenges become crises and help shift a culture in which seeking support can be viewed as a sign of strength. His goal is deeply personal: to become the clinical social worker he wishes he had during his own service.
• Darrien Hawkins (University of South Alabama | U.S. Army)
  Darrien Hawkins is pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical and Counseling Psychology at the University of South Alabama with the goal of becoming a psychologist. Coming from a military family, Hawkins describes service as a value that has remained central throughout his life. He continues that commitment through his work as a mental health professional, educator and mentor, combining his passion for behavioral health with a desire to serve and support others.
• Frank Sha (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | U.S. Air Force )
  Frank Sha is pursuing master’s degrees in both Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This combined training will prepare Sha to support veterans navigating trauma, disability, vocational transition, education, and community reintegration. Drawing from personal military transition experiences and involvement with UNC THRIVE as both a participant and volunteer, Sha sees this work as a continuation of service—helping veterans move beyond survival toward connection, dignity, renewed purpose, and thriving.
• Kathleen Cummings (Rutgers University | U.S. Army)
  Kathleen Cummings is pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Rutgers University, where her work focuses on improving how the mental health needs of veterans are identified and addressed. She hopes to better understand the vulnerabilities that place veterans at risk for mood, anxiety and substance use disorders and identify opportunities to intervene earlier. By integrating research and clinical practice, Cummings aims to ensure veterans who might otherwise be overlooked receive timely and effective care.
• Mario Peralta (California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University | U.S. Navy)
  Mario Peralta is pursuing a Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology at the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University. Peralta’s path is driven by witnessing people carry significant pain without a place to address it. With a belief that people have an inherent capacity to heal when given the right conditions and support to confront difficult experiences, Peralta hopes to create that space for others through a career in clinical psychology.
• Nick Lindner (Drexel University | U.S. Army)
  Nick Lindner, a 2026 graduate of Columbia University, will begin a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Drexel University this fall. Experience contributing to suicide prevention research among veteran populations has shaped Lindner’s commitment to improving mental health care for military communities. Lindner hopes to combine clinical care and research to address barriers to help-seeking and develop culturally informed, evidence-based interventions that reduce suicide risk and improve outcomes for service members and veterans.
• Zachary Brooks (UT Southwestern Medical Center | U.S. Marine Corps)
  Zachary Brooks is entering the third year of a Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, with research examining the long-term effects of traumatic brain injury on cognitive functioning and psychiatric health as people age. Brooks’ planned dissertation will explore whether resilience and veteran status may serve as protective factors following TBI. Drawing on values of service and responsibility developed through the Marine Corps, Brooks hopes to advance research and clinical practice that improve brain injury recovery and long-term health outcomes.

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For more information about the John Edelman Scholarship, visit https://studentveterans.org/programs-events/scholarships/john-edelman-scholars/

About Student Veterans of America
Student Veterans of America® (SVA) empowers student veterans and military-affiliated students through a national network of campus chapters and mission-driven advocacy that supports success to, through, and beyond higher education. Founded by veterans in 2008, SVA is led by veterans and dedicated to veteran success. For more information, visit studentveterans.org.