UC Online Student Wins Military Scholarship Essay Contest

Mike Tompkins, a current online UC student, won big in the Military Scholarship Essay Contest. In collaboration with the Cincinnati Bengals, Ohio CAT awarded one student a $5,000 scholarship and 4 tickets to the Bengals Salute to Service game on November 2nd, 2025.

We caught up with Mike after the game to talk about his experience as an online Bearcat, a veteran, and now a scholarship recipient.

Mike’s career has taken him in and out of various industries, but there’s a common thread connecting each phase of his career: a desire to make order out of chaos. From 1991 to 1995, he served in the U.S. Navy, which took him to the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, the Caribbean, and South America.

“I didn’t hold any lofty rank as a young sailor,” Mike said, “and other than a letter of commendation from the commanding officer, I didn’t earn any medals for merit or valorous service. But the lessons I learned have lasted a lifetime and are instrumental in my success as a college student. I learned the value of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance. I learned that failure wasn’t an option and to be the kind of person that others could count on.” 

During his military service, Mike received basic first aid and firefighting training, which he then used to transition into the next phase of his career in 1996. While he’d initially planned to pursue a role in law enforcement, enrolling in his first EMT class changed everything. 

“Half an hour into the class, I was hooked,” Mike recalled. “I knew that I had found my job.” 

In 1999, Mike graduated from paramedic school and thrived working in ambulances. He later went on to become a certified Critical Care Paramedic. His journey as a paramedic remained intertwined with his military background, taking him to Afghanistan in partnership with the state department in 2007. The following year, he took a job with the Department of Defense and even became Senior Paramedic, working on multiple military bases in Iraq. 

Whether he’s working on a military base or saving lives in an ambulance, Mike is passionate about helping people. “Aside from being a father of three and now a grandfather of one,” Mike said, “serving my community and helping people was the joy of my life.”

However, in 2013, Mike was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic central nervous system disease. While he was able to continue working for the next five years, Mike eventually had to retire as a paramedic due to his health, which was a “devastating blow” after a lifetime of service. However, he hasn’t let his diagnosis prevent him from helping others. 

“I was, simply put, suddenly adrift and lacking any clear direction,” Mike recalled. He asked himself, “How can I get back into being active and productive, and helping people?” For Mike, the answer was to decide on a new path and rediscover “the tenacity my service taught me.” 

At 52 years old, Mike is now an online student in UC’s Bachelor's in Social Work program. The program allows him to translate his dedication for service into the world of counseling. His goal? After finishing his bachelor’s degree, he plans to pursue his MSW and become a therapist, specializing in trauma-informed care for veterans, first responders, and other frontline health care professionals.  

“When I was still working in EMS, we didn’t have access to the mental health care we needed to deal with the things we saw on the job,” he said. “I want to change that and be of service of the next generation of providers.”

Balancing an online degree, work, family, and volunteering in the community is no easy feat; however, Mike said, “It’s much easier than I anticipated it was going to be.” 

When asked why he chose UC, Mike cited two main draws: the social work program’s excellent reputation and the affordability of the program. Since enrolling in the social work program, Mike's satisfaction has only grown.  

“My experience has been nothing short of amazing,” he said. “My professors and instructors are knowledgeable and readily available for any questions, and I have access to all the tools I need to be successful.” He’s also taken advantage of tutoring services available to UC students, such as the academic writing center. 

Along with receiving ample support from faculty and staff, Mike has also enjoyed the convenience of the online and asynchronous format. He can fit assignments into his busy schedule and complete them throughout the week. As a full-time student, Mike takes a mixture of both full-semester and half-term courses—ranging from psychology to microeconomics. Working with his academic advisor has set him up for success as he tackles his remaining semesters with UC. 

UC is proud to count more than 2,000 military-affiliated students among its ranks and has been recognized by U.S. News as an excellent option for veterans, with multiple online programs earning Top 10 rankings for veterans. UC's Office of Veterans Programs & Services keeps veterans informed on everything from events to scholarship opportunities—including the Military Scholarship Essay Contest. 

Even after Mike applied for the contest, he “never expected to win.” 

Contestants were asked to submit essays on how military service prepared them for academic excellence, which were then evaluated for originality, communication, content, and technical writing mechanics. Mike’s essay stood out for both its originality and storytelling. In it, he discussed his service time as well as how UC has allowed him to pursue his dream of becoming a counselor.

“I decided to write about what my life has been like,” Mike explained. “Once I started writing, it just poured out of me.” 

He felt like he could be honest in his essay—about his life, his struggles, and his hard work to overcome these obstacles. In doing so, he hoped that he could give others the strength to overcome the obstacles they face, too. In many ways, this echoes the work he did as a paramedic and will eventually do as a mental health professional: helping others survive stressful or traumatic situations through empathy and genuine care.

When Mike found out that he’d won the essay contest, he described feeling both grateful and relieved. This scholarship is a recognition of how appreciated he is for his military service and EMS career, but it’s more than that. By covering almost the whole cost of an entire semester, the scholarship is a significant financial investment in his education. 

“It’s such a huge weight lifted off of me,” he said. “I’m very grateful to the CAT team and the Bengals for their efforts.”

In addition to receiving such an impactful scholarship, Mike received four tickets to the Bengals game against the Chicago Bears. He has pursued his UC degree entirely from his home in Columbus, so this was also his first time in Cincinnati! Thanks to the Bengals staff, his experience at the game was fantastic from start to finish. During the second quarter, they even included a small ceremony to honor Mike and the other Military Scholarship winner, UC student Jessica Torres, on the jumbotron. 

"I’m a lifelong Patriots fan,” Mike added lightheartedly. “I must confess that before this, I wasn’t a Bengals fan, but I am now!”

Mike’s advice for current and future students is both encouraging and a testament to his own success as an online student.

“It’s not as difficult as you think,” Mike said. “The key is to have a consistent schedule and be dedicated to keeping that schedule. All you need is an attitude of dedication and resilience, and for everything else, the college will help you succeed. They aren't just here to take my money and run away—they’re here to help me better my life.” 

While Mike would recommend UC’s online programs to anyone interested in social work, he specifically would recommend it to his fellow veterans.

“From the support of the Veterans office to scholarship opportunities, the VA educational systems are robust. UC is an excellent place for veterans to get an education.” 

We’re so grateful to Mike for his military service and his eagerness to share about his online Bearcat experience. Whether you’re a veteran or just looking to continue your education, UC is here to help you get started. 

Our dedicated online staff can answer your questions and help you begin the application process. All you have to do is contact your Enrollment Services Advisor today!