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Arlington, Virginia, native Noel Quezada came to ����AV through the Early Identification Program and credits the program with much of his success. EIP mentors—often Mason alumni—began working with him as a freshman in high school so when it was finally time for college, Mason already felt like home. It was the only school he even considered.

But first, Quezada would defer college to enlist in the Army. After three months of boot camp and three months of specialty training, he came to Mason with a new sense of discipline, motivation, and heart.

During his four years at Mason, Quezada served in the Army Reserves and participated in the ROTC program. He credits that program for teaching him both leadership and compassion.

Quezada, who was also a member of Mason’s Honors College, graduated from Mason in May with a BS in criminology, law and society with a double minor in forensic science and psychology. Two weeks after walking across the graduation stage in EagleBank Arena, Quezada was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army and will serve full-time on active duty.