The following story originally appeared on the website for the Raymond A. Mason School of Business at William & Mary. – Ed.

The Raymond A. Mason School of Business at William & Mary recently announced that Jonathan “JD” Due was selected as a Hoover Institution distinguished member for its 2024-2025 class of Veteran Fellows. He participated in its spring residency program in early March.

This cohort marks the fourth class of the Veteran Fellowship Program, which has brought together a group of ten exceptional veterans from across the U.S. military branches. Together, they will focus on pressing policy challenges and projects to create meaningful change in their communities and beyond.

Jonathan “JD” Due, a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Army, is a highly regarded leader in military transition. Currently serving as the executive director of the Center for Military Transition at the Raymond A. Mason School of Business at William & Mary, Due’s extensive background in both military and nonprofit sectors uniquely qualifies him to take on the critical work of veteran transition and employment. Before his current role, he directed programs and scholarships for the Pat Tillman Foundation, further solidifying his commitment to veterans’ causes.

“Being selected as a Hoover Veteran Fellow has been as incredible as it has been humbling,” Due said. “The fellowship provides a powerful balance of autonomy and collaboration. As a fellow, I can work on a significant project that aligns with my current work at the Center for Military Transition while also benefiting from the mentorship, research support and access to the vast resources of Stanford’s Hoover Institute.”

The VFP was created to recognize and amplify the leadership of U.S. military veterans who have demonstrated exceptional service to the nation. Fellows are selected not only for their leadership and professional accomplishments but also for their innovative and actionable capstone projects that address some of society’s most pressing policy issues. This cohort includes veterans from five armed forces branches, all driven by a shared commitment to advancing freedom and creating positive change.

Due’s capstone project focuses on a critical issue affecting veterans: underemployment.

“Veteran underemployment is a persistent, but often overlooked, challenge,” Due explained. “Studies estimate that more than 60% of veterans are underemployed, which has a direct impact on their transition from military service to civilian careers. My project seeks to identify the root causes of this issue and propose effective interventions at the state, regional and national levels to improve veteran employment outcomes.”

As part of the fellowship, Due’s work will contribute to the ongoing efforts of the Center for Military Transition, where he has already begun exploring innovative programs, such as the Veteran Career Accelerator Program. This program aims to support veterans better as they move into civilian life, addressing the gaps in existing employment and training programs.

“The prevailing conversation around veteran transition often misses the root causes of underemployment, such as the lack of tailored career services and the barriers veterans face in translating military experience to the civilian workforce,” Due said. “By leveraging the resources of Hoover and Stanford, I hope to advance my project and contribute to broader policy changes that can support veterans’ fulfillment and long-term success.”

Condoleezza Rice D.P.S. ’15, director of the Hoover Institution, praised the selection of Due and his fellow Veterans, saying, “The defining characteristics of our U.S. military veterans make them natural leaders in a wide array of areas essential to the protection of democracy and national security. The Hoover community will benefit greatly from the experience and wisdom acquired from their service to this Nation.”

The 2024-2025 cohort of Veteran Fellows joins a distinguished group of previous fellows who have taken on diverse and impactful projects, including efforts to repurpose unused land for affordable housing, introduce cognitive behavioral therapy into military training and support Afghan refugees resettling in U.S. communities.

For Jonathan “JD” Due, this fellowship represents an opportunity to grow and give back.

“I’m honored to be part of this class of Veteran Fellows,” he said. “This program allows me to further my passion for helping veterans and to connect with other leaders who are equally committed to creating meaningful, lasting change.”