Posted on March 26, 2026 by Rebekah Alegria
Colin Kalomiris came to UT San Antonio not only looking for a fresh start, but ready to build one.
Colin Kalomiris
A U.S. Navy veteran and nontraditional student, Kalomiris left the military in 2020 and spent time working in roles that helped him recognize what did translate from his service: leadership, team building and a steady presence under pressure. That clarity ultimately led him to higher education and the Carlos Alvarez College of Business.
An Honors College student, Kalomiris is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in management and plans to graduate in December 2026.
For Kalomiris, the hardest part of returning to the classroom wasn’t the academics, but the social transition. He had to learn how to connect with classmates who were in completely different stages of their lives.
A turning point for him was finding community through student involvement, particularly Delta Sigma Pi, a business professional fraternity.
“It felt weird walking into a student group at 26,” said Kalomiris, “but Delta Sigma Pi was intentional about welcoming new people. It helped me feel like I could actually build community here.”
That shift, going from “outsider” to “connected,” not only changed his experience, but shaped how he now helps other students take the steps they need to be successful. Working as a peer coach in the Honors College, he supports students as they navigate long-term academic and professional goals.
More important than the skills that he is teaching them, his calm, structured and grounded listening approach reflects a leadership style he credits to his military background.
“Whether someone comes in calm, or I have to pull out the tissue box, I try to keep a calm presence—listen first, talk things through and not make assumptions,” he shared.
Kalomiris’ leadership extends beyond one-on-one coaching. He’s also focused on how the university can better support military-connected students academically. He’s working to build out modules tailored to veterans within an introductory course offered specifically for honors students..
He explained that veterans often don’t need a one-size-fits-all “here’s a list of resources, good luck” approach; they need guidance that recognizes their lived experience and the realities of transitioning back into school.
This summer Kalomiris is stepping into an opportunity that reflects the momentum he’s built at the Alvarez College of Business: an internship with 3M. He was recruited by 3M and offered a specialized experience working under the company’s national sales director.
“It’s not a typical internship track,” he said. “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity that feels uniquely packaged for my situation.”
The 10-week program will include territory management work with safety and industrial business groups, plus weekly travel to different cities to learn how teams operate across markets and meet clients nationwide.
Kalomiris is also a recipient of the college’s Chuck E. Franzke Endowed Scholarship, an honor he describes as both practical and deeply personal. After meeting with scholarship donor, he learned that Franzke was a Navy veteran who served on the same type of ship that he did.
“The scholarships gave me motivation to push on, and it was nice to know that someone believes in you and respects the hard work that you’re putting into your education.”
The scholarship also created real, day-to-day stability. Living in San Antonio on his own, the support helped cover tuition and fees and allowed him to stay focused on school and campus work without constantly worrying about finances.
“When someone is willing to take a risk or invest in you,” he said, “it makes you want to work that much harder.”
Kalomiris hopes that his experiences and work at UT San Antonio have a positive impact on all the veterans who come after him. “Find out what other people did to be successful, don’t be afraid to ask for help and realize this is an exciting new chapter in your life. Resources are available to allow you to be successful, so make sure to use them.”
And in Kalomiris’ case, the result is more than a degree path. It’s impact in motion.
— Rebekah Alegria
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