From Scholarship Recipients to Doctors: AGCRA’s Investment in People
When CPT Kate A. Avila-Santos began her doctoral journey, she had the determination to pursue her goal. Support from the Adjutant General’s Corps Regimental Association helped her take that first step. Today, she has completed her doctorate in education—and has a new way to introduce herself.
“The support from the association allowed me to begin my doctoral journey,” she shared. “I am proud to share that I have successfully completed my doctoral degree in education and am now CPT (Dr.) Kate Avila-Santos.”
A member of the Lone Star Chapter and an AGCRA Scholarship recipient in 2023 and 2024, Avila-Santos puts a name and a story to the impact of the Association’s scholarship program. Behind each award is someone working toward a goal, balancing responsibilities, and building the knowledge to contribute more to their profession and community.
Her achievement is one example of what that investment can help make possible. SFC (Dr.) Jeremy Calvin, a Gold Vault Chapter member and scholarship recipient in 2025 and 2026, offers another.
A Connection That Opened Doors
Calvin’s relationship with AGCRA began with a recommendation from senior leaders when he entered recruiting duty. What he found was an Association willing to invest in him, even while he served outside a traditional AG assignment.
“Right away, I saw how much the association invests in its people and builds up the military community even for those of us on temporary detail,” Calvin explained.
Through the AG network in Arkansas, he built professional relationships across the state. He credits that support with helping him persevere through his master’s and doctoral studies at Oklahoma State University and continue into graduate work in Wildlife Forensics at the University of Florida.
His experience highlights the value of both scholarship assistance and the professional community surrounding it. Financial support helps recipients pursue their education, while connections offer encouragement and relationships that can endure beyond graduation.
“I’m grateful to the AGCRA for supporting soldiers in non-traditional assignments and showing that investing in higher education pays immediate dividends for the broader military community,” Calvin said.
Then he offered a hope that captures the lasting potential of the program:
“My hope is that I can give more back to the AGCRA than I have received.”
An Investment That Continues Beyond Graduation
Avila-Santos and Calvin earned their doctorates through their own sustained work and commitment. Their words also make clear that support mattered along the way. AGCRA helped one recipient begin a doctoral journey and supported another as he continued advancing his education.
These are meaningful outcomes for an Association built around its people. A scholarship can help someone move forward at a pivotal moment. The knowledge, experience, and willingness to give back that follow can benefit others for years.
As the AGCRA Scholarship Program enters its 17th year of supporting members and their families, these two graduates offer a compelling reason to continue investing.
Help Support the Next Recipient
Donations help AGCRA extend educational opportunities to more members and family members. Contributions to the Association’s 501(c)(3) scholarship program are welcome through checks, credit or debit card payments, and electronic bank transfers.
Beginning with the 2026 tax year, eligible taxpayers who take the standard deduction may also deduct qualifying cash contributions to certain eligible charitable organizations—up to $1,000 for individual filers or $2,000 for married couples filing jointly, subject to IRS requirements.
Donate to the AGCRA Scholarship Program and help another member or family member take the next step toward their educational goals.
For questions, contact scholarship@agcra.com.