Leading with Purpose: From the Military to the Classroom to the Boardroom

By David Valenzuela 

Vice President, Student Veterans Organization | CSU Global | Board Member, Student Advisory Council | CSU Global 

When I think about leadership, I don’t think about titles. I think about purpose. 

Purpose is what drove me while I was enlisted in the U.S. Army. It is what drove me to achieve my bachelors of business degree and graduate cum laude, and it’s what guides me now as I start my MBA and serve as a board member for the Student Advisory Council and Vice President of the Student Veterans Organization at CSU Global. And it’s what I believe will continue to shape the kind of leader I become, one who empowers others through clarity, service, and strategic transformation.

This article is about how the values forged in the U.S. Army—discipline, integrity, and mission-focused—can evolve into academic excellence and workplace impact. It’s also about how CSU Global has helped me refine those values into something multidimensional, something that speaks not just to veterans, but to anyone who wants to lead with purpose.

From Combat Boots to Campus

When I transitioned out of the Army, I knew I wasn’t done serving. But I also knew that service would look different. I wasn’t leading troops anymore—I was navigating civilian life, higher education, and a new professional identity.

CSU Global became my launchpad. From day one, I felt seen—not just as a student, but as a veteran, a leader, and a change agent. The flexibility of the online format allowed me to balance coursework with advocacy, while the rigor of the curriculum challenged me to think strategically and analytically.

I remember my first assignment in the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program. It asked us to analyze organizational behavior through the lens of leadership theory. I didn’t just write about textbook models—I wrote about leading soldiers through uncertainty, about making decisions when lives were on the line, and about the ethical weight of command. That paper wasn’t just an academic exercise—it was a bridge between who I was and who I was becoming.

Purpose in Practice: Student Leadership 

As I progressed through my degree, I realized that leadership in academia wasn’t just about grades—it was about impact. That’s why I joined the Student Veterans Organization, eventually becoming Vice President. It’s also why I accepted a second term on the Student Advisory Council, where I help shape institutional strategies that support student engagement and retention.

These roles have allowed me to apply my military mindset to educational advocacy. I’ve led initiatives to improve the student veteran experience, facilitated peer mentorship programs, and contributed to strategic planning decisions with university leadership. Every meeting, every email, every spreadsheet is an opportunity to lead with purpose—to elevate others, to solve problems, and to model integrity.

Translating Purpose to the Workplace 

Now, as I pursue my MBA, I’m thinking more deeply about how purpose translates into organizational leadership. In the workplace, leading with purpose means more than hitting KPIs. It means aligning strategy with values. It means asking not just, “What are we doing?” but, “Why does it matter?” It means creating systems that empower people, not just processes.

One of the frameworks I’ve developed at CSU Global is a multidimensional benchmarking model that triangulates industry norms, historical performance, and qualitative context. It’s a tool that helps organizations make data-driven decisions without losing sight of human impact. Whether I’m analyzing capital budgeting scenarios or facilitating classroom discussions, I use this model to connect numbers to narratives—to ensure that business decisions reflect ethical leadership and strategic clarity.

Lessons for Prospective Students 

If you’re reading this as a prospective student, wondering whether CSU Global is the right fit, let me offer this: If you have purpose, this is a place where it can grow.

You don’t have to be a veteran to lead with purpose. You just have to be willing to think critically, act ethically, and serve something greater than yourself. CSU Global will challenge you and give you the tools to turn values into action. Whether you’re starting fresh or building on decades of experience, your story matters. And your leadership—however it looks—can make a difference.

Final Thoughts 

Leadership isn’t about being in charge. It’s about being accountable. It’s about showing up with integrity, listening with empathy, and acting with intention. From the military to the classroom to the workplace, I’ve learned that purpose is the most powerful tool a leader can carry. At CSU Global, I’ve had the chance to refine that tool—to sharpen it with academic rigor, strategic insight, and collaborative growth. And I’m proud to share that journey, not just as a student, but as a leader committed to helping others find their own path.

If you’re ready to lead with purpose, you’re already halfway there.