Support Christian Pierce: A Veteran's PhD Journey

Support My Cousin, Christian, a U.S. Veteran Pursuing His PhD Abroad

Hello, everyone! My name is Raymon Barrett, and I’m reaching out on behalf of my cousin, Christian Pierce. Christian has dedicated much of his life to serving others—as a U.S. Army veteran and now as a PhD student in Organization Studies and Cultural Theory at the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland. After his military service, he qualified for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which is meant to support veterans with their education expenses, including tuition, housing, and essential fees.

Before enrolling, Christian confirmed the University of St. Gallen was approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for GI Bill funding. However, after he started classes in early 2021, the VA denied his application due to an administrative error, claiming the university didn’t meet eligibility requirements. Despite reapplications, advocacy efforts, and even changes in VA policies, Christian and other veterans still faced major roadblocks. In the end, the university decided to withdraw from the GI Bill program entirely, which left Christian without the funding he had counted on to cover rent, tuition, and living expenses.

Why Christian Needs Your Support

Despite Christian’s tireless efforts to navigate this financial setback, the loss of critical funds has put him in a challenging position. To bridge the gap, he needs $40,000 to cover essential expenses, including tuition, rent, and research costs, dating back to the start of his PhD program in February 2021. Your support will enable him to continue his vital work and complete his dissertation, which he plans to submit in June 2025. This spring will mark his final semester, bringing him one step closer to making a lasting impact through his research.

As his cousin, I’ve seen his determination and the dedication he’s shown to his studies, which focus on creating meaningful change in human rights and organizational culture. Any support you can give will go directly toward helping him complete this journey and make a difference for veterans and others in his field.

Thank you for helping Christian continue his education and for standing by a veteran who’s given so much. Your support means the world to our family.