Author Biography

Heriberto Arambula, Ph.D., is a military veteran, Pat Tillman Scholar, and public pedagogue dedicated to supporting veterans and their families through their transition into civilian life. His commitment was profoundly shaped by his experiences during 11 years of service in the U.S. Army and U.S. Coast Guard, including a deployment to Sadr City, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom II—an experience chronicled in Martha Raddatz’s “The Long Road Home.”

Dr. Arambula has over two decades of cross-sector leadership experience, notably managing a $1M+ national corporate social impact portfolio at Northrop Grumman, leading veterans’ re-entry programs as the inaugural Program Director at Patriots Hall, and co-authoring the book “Veteran Stories of Transition and Transformation.” He currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Interactive Veteran Experiences (JIVE), a platform that amplifies veterans’ voices through storytelling to foster deeper community understanding and healing.

Dr. Arambula holds a B.A. in History and Political Science (Summa Cum Laude) from Arizona State University, a Master of Arts in Teaching, and a Master’s in Business for Veterans (MBV) from the University of Southern California. He earned his Ph.D. in Education and Community Leadership from Texas State University, where his research focused on veteran trauma, social reintegration, and the healing power of storytelling.

Through his scholarship and community engagement, Dr. Arambula continues advocating for meaningful dialogue and practical support structures that enable veterans to thrive academically, professionally, and personally post-service. Utilizing diverse storytelling modalities, such as in-person gatherings, digital platforms, print publications, and electronic media, he creates spaces for healing, understanding, and growth, elevating the voices of veterans and their families and fostering meaningful connections across communities.