Military Alliance

John P Aldrich

Senior Vice President of Military and Academic Partnerships

John P Aldrich is the Senior Vice President of Military and Academic Partnerships. Before joining UAGC, John was responsible for all Military and veteran outreach at America Public University System (APUS) and the main liaison between APUS and the Department of Defense, veteran and military service organizations and Capitol Hill. John has extensive experience in working with and advocation for military servicemembers, veterans and family members.

As a former Marine Corps and Navy education specialist, both in the U.S. and overseas, John is passionate about helping servicemembers and their families achieve their educational dreams. He also served as director of career services and job placement at the Technical College of the Low Country, an academic advisor for student-athletes at the University of Rhode Island, and as a naval hospital corpsman (USN), Fleet Marine Force. He is the current past president for the National Association of Institutions for Military Education Services (NAIMES), currently service as the policy and issue chair.

In his role, John will oversee and lead efforts to promote, support and drive growth among the military sector, as well as community college students. With the addition of John, the Military Alliance and Academic Partnership will expand UAGC outreach efforts and growth in 2023 and beyond.

Gene LaRue Jr

Director, Military Alliance
[email protected]
619-374-2681

Gene currently serves as the Director, Military Alliance for the University of Arizona Global Campus. He served as a Military Academic Advisor from July 2016 to December 2021 and a Military Alliance Manager from December 2021 to April 2023. He assumed his current position in April 2023.

Gene served in the Marine Corps for 21 years, retiring May 2000. During that time, he worked in many occupational fields including infantry, operations and training, Noncommissioned Officer Instructor, Drill Instructor, Education Service Officer, and senior enlisted leader to the commanding officer. Other positions include police officer and high school teacher. Gene was appointed to the Secretary of the Navy, Retiree Council from 2006 to 2009. He holds a BA in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice and a MA in Public Administration.

Gene reports directly to John Aldrich, Senior Vice President, Military and Education Partnerships and is responsible for leading the Military Alliance team and the day-to-day military outreach operations for the University of Arizona Global Campus.

“One of my favorites quotes is, “You got this!” Three short words, but powerful for both students and those who serve them at UAGC. In today’s world students and especially military students face so many obstacles in life/world changes. A touch of care and empathy coupled with those three words can be that boost that they needed to push towards the finish line again. On the flipside of things, UAGC has such a committed group of staff and faculty who play a significant role day by day in the lives of our students. We too have those days where those three words can be just what is needed to the life of another student. I am so excited to drive deeper and deeper into my new role at UAGC.“

Jason Fudge

Military Alliance Manager, Eastern USA
[email protected]
480-716-5216

Jason joined the University of Arizona Global Campus in 2023 as the Military Alliance Manager for the east coast of the United States. He is a proud retired Marine, serving in communication strategy and operations across aviation, infantry, logistics, and special forces units.

Completing his bachelor’s degree while on active duty, Jason understands the unique challenges of military affiliated students and is passionate about supporting service members to pursue their goals.

As a distinguished graduate of Syracuse University Military Visual Journalism Program and currently utilizing his veteran education benefits to pursue a MBA at UNC Chapel Hill, Jason's genuine passion for mentoring and advising service members stems from his own experiences, enabling him to provide valuable guidance and support.

Jason currently resides in Eastern North Carolina and enjoys traveling, golfing, surfing, and playing guitar.

Travis Burchett

Military Alliance Manager, Midwestern USA
[email protected]
480-716-5218

Travis is a Military Alliance Manager at the University of Arizona Global Campus. Travis was commissioned from Morehead State University as a Medical Service Corps officer in December 1992. He served in the Army for 22 years, with his culminating assignment being the Chief Operating Officer/Chief of Staff for Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. His professional background is primarily one of direct organizational leadership, having commanded three battalion level units and two company level organizations. Following retirement, Travis taught Army Junior ROTC for five years at Hephzibah High School in Georgia. After moving back to Tennessee, he served as the Service to the Armed Forces/International Services Director for the American Red Cross Tennessee Region. He has significant experience as a healthcare recruiter and global human capital manager. Mr. Burchett has an undergraduate degree in history from Morehead State University, a M Ed. from Texas A&M University and is currently working on his dissertation for a Doctor of Education from Creighton University.

Travis and his wife, Lori, live in Chapmansboro, Tennessee with two of their six children and are the grandparents of two.

Timothy Smart

Military Alliance Manager, Western USA
[email protected]
(480) 716-4266

Timothy is the newest Military Alliance Manager for the University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC). Timothy served as a Military Outreach Representative in 2018 with his prior university and has a lot of experience in education. He started with UAGC on May 1, 2023, and resides in Southern California.

Timothy served in both the Marine Corps and the U.S. Army, retiring in 2015 with 20 years of service time. His career began in1988 with the Marines in Camp Pendleton, California. He worked several occupational fields including as an Administrative Clerk, Marine Recruiter, and a Battery Gunnery Sergeant. While in the Army, he served in artillery, a leadership instructor, and the Organizational Manager for the Army Career Alumni Program (ACAP). He served as the liaison for service members transitioning out of the military and setting them up for success with state-mandated courses in how to write resumes, conduct job interviews, and higher education opportunities with local colleges. Timothy holds a BA in Communication from California State University San Marcos.