Senior Chief Petty Officer Shannon Kent, U.S. Navy, M.A., ’18, was killed in action in Syria on January 16. Kent was a graduate of the Online Military Psychology program and embodied Adler University’s mission of social justice in her work and efforts to promote policy change.

Before going to Syria for her fifth deployment, Kent was slated to attend a clinical psychology doctoral program near Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., but was disqualified due to medical reasons. Her persistence and advocacy helped posthumously change the Navy’s rules to make it easier for service members wanting to pursue officer programs to petition for medical waivers.

We extend our condolences to Kent’s family and friends.

Read The New York Times article, “Her Title: Cryptologic Technician. Her Occupation: Warrior.”

Read the Stars and Stripes article, “Family of Fallen Navy Linguist Fights Regulation that Forced her Deployment to Syria.”