NBC CT Highlights Student's Story for Veterans Day

A local veteran has found a fresh start at the University of Hartford as she pursues a degree in psychology, and now her story is being shared by NBC CT.

Cynthia Puerta, a student at UHart’s Hillyer College, is starting her college journey at 31 years old. She served in the Marine Corps for many years, and credits the discipline and structure she learned with her ability to get to this moment of her life: She has overcome a traumatic brain injury sustained during a deployment to Kuwait, relearned reading and comprehension skills, and faced numerous personal tragedies.

But now she’s hoping to help others facing trauma and PTSD. And with her service dog Gypsy by her side (at home and at UHart), as well as mentors, professors, and other supporters on campus, she’s ready to make it happen, one step at a time.