The Hoover Institution’s overall mission is to advance ideas for free societies, and its Veterans Fellowship Program invites participants to find actionable solutions to critical public policy challenges.

“The courage, initiative, and patriotism demonstrated by our military veterans make them natural agents in bringing about improvements in the way we govern, protect our homeland, and expand national prosperity,” Rice said. “During their fellowship, they will benefit from interaction with Hoover scholars here at Stanford, acquiring the knowledge and tools necessary to be policy leaders in their communities.”

The 10 veteran fellows were selected for their demonstrated leadership and success as midcareer professionals in the private sector.

The inaugural class served in the U.S. military within the past two decades, beginning during the years surrounding the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Soliva said she is looking forward to collaborating with other brilliant minds, making progress, and enacting change.

“The topics the fellows are focusing on are not the best parts of society. We are tackling topics that are uncomfortable, challenging, and absolutely necessary,” Soliva said.

Soliva received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in public administration from the University of Guam in 2012 and 2013, respectively, after which she served in the U.S. Army with 12 years of combined service. She now serves as a U.S. Army Reservist in the 312th Tactical Psychological Operations Company and is pursuing a doctorate in criminal justice from Saint Leo University, where she is also the president of Student Veterans of America.

“The most valuable part of my UOG education was having professional practitioners as my professors who weaved in relevancy and real-world issues with academic content,” Soliva said. “I was inspired to make a difference by my mentor Dr. Anita Borja Enriquez, who was dean of the School of Business & Public Administration. I also learned the spirit of ina'dahi from Dr. Enriquez that empowered me to excel and pursue a path that was going to help others. The MPA program set me on my path towards advocacy and combating human trafficking. My amazing mom, Susan Borja Wade, and familia are also graduates of the University and continue to support my endeavors.”

The one-year fellowship will begin this November. At the conclusion, the veteran fellows will submit a capstone project, in which they develop actionable solutions to policy challenges in their respective communities, including those impacting governments, businesses, workforces, schools, public health systems, and the security and safety of their fellow citizens.