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A group of coworkers has rallied behind a man who’s spent his life serving both his country and his community. Walk into his office and you’ll see the story – 15 years in the U.S. Army, commemorative coins collected throughout his career, and framed photos lining the walls that reflect just how much he values family.

Rosario Thomas is one of those people who lights up a room. His handshake is strong, his smile wide, and his presence unmistakably warm – the kind you notice right away at Southern Union State Community College. He serves as the Veterans Specialist on campus, and he brings that same energy to every student he meets. After finishing up a recent conversation, he didn’t just point a student in the right direction, he walked with them, side by side, down the hall and out the door. A small gesture that felt just like his Army days.

“It’s not just a job for Rosario. It’s a passion,” said Southern Union president Todd Shackett. “For Veterans who already served our country, we owe them our best efforts to make sure they realize the opportunities they’ve earned.”

More than 350 students at Southern Union are veterans or military dependents, and Thomas is their go-to person. He walks them through their education benefits and explains how to access and use them, even when it feels overwhelming.

“For most veterans, all we need is somebody that listens to us,” said Thomas. “I give them an ear. I give them give little guidance to help them be more successful…by talking to me they figure out a lot of things on their own.”

It’s no surprise to anyone – students, family, or colleagues – who Thomas is and the impact he has. So, when his team nominated him for his leadership and the way he lifts those around him, the campus rallied. They showed up in full force, casting their votes for someone who’s always there for others.

And in May 2025, Military Friendly® made it official. Thomas was named the state winner in the Veteran of the Year® or Vetrepreneur® of the Year program.

“I think all veterans are Veterans of the Year for the State of Alabama,” said Thomas.

He didn’t plan for this recognition, just as much as he didn’t plan to make the military a career. What started as a three-year commitment turned into something more. “I fell in love with it because it gave me everything I was looking for,” he said.

Thomas decided to go after a new mission once he retired from the military in 2011, but like many veterans, the transition into civilian life didn’t come easy. The structure, the purpose, and the camaraderie he was used to daily were suddenly gone.

“I didn’t know where to start because going from a soldier, your day is planned,” said Thomas. “You become depressed. You become scared… because when soldiers get out, they don’t have that connection that they had when they were in the military.”

Thomas began rebuilding that connection at Southern Union. With his wife’s support, he earned his associate degree while simultaneously working toward his bachelor’s in criminal justice at Huntingdon College. His choice of study wasn’t about creating an exit plan for himself. It was about helping other veterans find their footing. Through care and curiosity, Thomas has helped many students rediscover the sense of belonging they thought they had lost after leaving the military.

“We have a culture here where everybody feels and knows that we’re going to help them get where they want to be in life,” said Shackett.

Thomas is a manifestation of that culture. Southern Union helped him continue his service in a meaningful way, meeting students where they are, putting their needs first, and walking beside them as they find their way. His boots have been on the ground, and that firsthand experience is exactly what makes Thomas the kind of leader people want to follow.

He is now in the running for the national title. No matter who wins the national honor, Thomas has already made it clear how he views things. Every service member is worthy of recognition, and in his eyes, they’re all Veterans of the Year.