Jasmin McBride discovered the potential for creating positive change through her political science classes at Arkansas Tech University.
Now, she is turning that potential into reality by advocating for United States military veterans who face the challenges presented by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of their service to the country.
It is a personal cause for McBride. Her husband is a veteran who has PTSD. Her brother, also a veteran, committed suicide in 2014 after his own battle with PTSD.
“Ever since then, I have felt like I wanted to do something to keep this tragedy from happening to other families,” said McBride. “I decided I wanted to go back to school and study political science to learn how I can support and advocate for veterans’ rights through our governmental system.”
McBride, 42, is a wife and mom who first enrolled at Arkansas Tech 23 years ago. After more than two decades away from the classroom, she returned to Arkansas Tech in spring 2025.
“I wanted to finish my degree where I started, at Tech,” said McBride. “My mom went to Tech, both of my grandfathers…Lloyd George and F.D. Majors…were given special recognition by Tech and my uncle, Nathan George, was at Tech for a long time. Funny thing…my grandfather and my uncle were both state representatives for Yell County, so I guess politics are in my blood.”
That natural inclination came in handy during summer 2025 when McBride traveled to Washington, D.C., and met with lawmakers such as Sen. John Boozman of Arkansas and Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey about the cause of providing veterans with access to additional resources for PTSD care.
“This experience just solidified that I want to work in politics and hopefully can continue to do work advocating for veterans,” said McBride. “I even have business cards with my info as a veterans’ advocate. What I love the most about politics so far is every day there seems to be something new and exciting.”
The lessons that McBride learned at ATU in spring 2025 were of a direct benefit during her trip to the nation’s capital.
“I was in Dr. (Michael) Rogers’ American Government class last semester, so I had just studied everything from the monuments we saw to how the processes of government worked,” said McBride. “I had confidence in my knowledge going in because of that. I was also taking Research Design last semester, which really helps you learn how to find and publish accurate information. Therefore, I was able to use some studies and statistics about veterans and mental health and felt good about their validity.”
With the fall 2025 semester underway, McBride is continuing to pursue her degree.
“I am so grateful for Tech and how supported and encouraged I have felt as a very non-traditional student,” said McBride. “Being older and having some handicaps, I was worried about coming back but all of the professors — especially my advisor, Dr. Rogers — have been so eager to help me and patient with my taking a bit to adapt to how different everything is after a 20-year break.”
McBride also expressed appreciation to the ATU Office of Veteran Services, which helped her apply for the financial aid due to her as the spouse of a disabled veteran.
“All of the financial stuff can get overwhelming, but they have been there to answer every question I’ve had,” said McBride. “Overall, just the positive reception I have received from Tech overall has made me so glad I took the chance on coming back to school. I wasn’t sure how I would feel. I mean, I have a kid in college. But now that I’ve done it, I’m enjoying it more than I even thought I would. I am now considering getting a master’s degree.”
Learn more about the ATU Department of History and Political Science at www.atu.edu/history.
Learn more about the ATU Office of Veteran Services at www.atu.edu/veterans.
