The Zucker Family School of Education honored four community leaders for their excellence in educational innovation at its annual Educational Leadership and Innovation forum.

AWS Education Champions program is community-led, made possible through the work of others who look at the bigger picture when it comes to improving education and accelerating research. Among those recognized at the conference were Andrew Williams, Ph.D., dean for the School of Engineering.

“Discipline is earned through the challenges we face here.”

Ricardo Quintero is a veteran and an undergraduate student at The Citadel majoring in Computer Science with minors in Cyber Security and Spanish. In addition to being a full-time student, he is a volunteer diver at the South Carolina Aquarium and does Spanish tutoring. Quintero served for seven years in the Coast Guard and, after graduating, expects to accept a commission into the Air Force to pursue a career as a fighter pilot.

Samuel Erickson is a veteran and an undergraduate student at The Citadel majoring in Intelligence and Security Studies and focusing on Chinese language studies. He served for six years in the military before attending a college in Chicago, eventually enrolling into The Citadel. After graduating, Erickson plans continue serving his country and work at the Defense Intelligence Agency.

Aurel Edyvean is a veteran day student at The Citadel studying Political Science with a concentration in International Politics and Military Affairs. He is the current president of the Student Veterans Association at The Citadel. Edyvean still serves in the U.S. Navy Reserves and plans to pursue a career in either government work or law school after graduation.

Nalani Quintello is a veteran day student at The Citadel studying Business and Project Management. During her service, Quintello used her talents to become lead vocalist in the Premier Rock Band of the Air Force. She is an ambassador for the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program and hopes to combine her passions for service and music into a business venture.

Eleven teams competed in the semi-final round of the Baker Business Bowl IX on Thursday, Nov. 3. Business ideas ranged from hockey gear, bait casters, delivery drones and more. By the end of the day, only five teams advanced to the final round.

Damirelys Perez is a Psychology major. She was born in Pennsylvania and has lived in Japan and Germany. She is captain for the women’s rifle team and has been named

Citadel professor Michael Livingston, Ph.D., is set to release a companion book on the best-selling “Wheel of Time” series. His book, titled “Origins of The Wheel of Time: The Legends and Mythologies that Inspired Robert Jordan” will debut on Nov. 8.