By Sarah Davenport
April Bixler, ’14, Army veteran, dedicates her time to helping other student veterans while furthering her education. She served in the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and Iraq twice, and was the only female officer in her battalion for two years. April received her master’s from EKU in safety, security & emergency management and is now working towards her Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in educational leadership and policy studies at EKU with plans to graduate next year.
“I’m very grateful for the continuing benefits that all veterans get, like the GI Bill, so that we can come back to school and get to better ourselves and find out what careers we want post-veteran life,” said Bixler.
Bixler serves as the vice president of the Kentucky Alpha chapter of Omega Delta Sigma, which is the only nationally recognized co-ed military fraternity in Kentucky. This nonprofit-service organization helps student veterans navigate life after being in the military.
She met her husband, Cole, through volunteering for the Center for American Military Opportunities, a nonprofit organization that does music therapy for veterans. The duo has since formed the band, Whiskey River, and performs live all across Kentucky and beyond. Their music is available on streaming sites such as Spotify, Apple music and Amazon Music.