Army captain and former Miss USA Deshauna Barber will address graduates at Norwich University's 2022 commencement ceremonies April 30.
Barber, president and chief executive officer of Service Women’s Action Network, the nation’s leading 501(c)3 nonprofit organization advocating on behalf of US armed forces veterans, spent her yearlong Miss USA reign advocating for additional government support for military personnel suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. She uses her platform to encourage higher attention to the mental health of service members who have deployed and served.
Barber served her country for more than 10 years and now works as an instructor at Howard University's Bison Battalion during her Army Reserve commitment. When she’s not serving her country, Barber travels globally as a full-time motivational speaker. She is a graduate of Virginia State University and holds a master's in computer information systems and services from University of Maryland's University College, now known as Global Campus.
Norwich University President Mark Anarumo called Barber an ideal commencement speaker — someone who can speak to grit, resiliency and tenacity and understands the challenges graduates will face.
“Her messages of fighting through challenges and defeating fear of failure are perfectly aligned with the Norwich University motto, ‘I WILL TRY!’” Anarumo said. “We look forward to welcoming Captain Barber to Norwich University.”