Indianapolis, Indiana – For many, the path from high school to adulthood takes twists and turns that no one could have predicted. For Thaddaus Pitts, a U.S. Army veteran and Indiana native, that path has been filled with both difficult setbacks and inspiring moments of resilience. His story today is one of perseverance, a reminder that starting over is always possible, even when the odds seem insurmountable.
Growing up in Indiana, Pitts envisioned the military as his gateway to opportunity. Shortly after graduating high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, stepping into a role that provided both structure and stability. Serving as a 92 Sierra, his job was far from glamorous but absolutely essential: he set up field showers and laundry units, ensuring fellow soldiers had the basic comforts needed to carry out their missions in the years following 9/11. Later, he transitioned into finance, a role that required precision as he managed complex transactions for military personnel.
After three years of service, Pitts hung up his uniform and began the difficult transition back to civilian life. The shift was far from easy. “Going from a structured military environment to civilian life was tough,” Pitts shared. “I struggled with finding my place, and without the chain of command I was used to, it was a difficult adjustment.”
Those struggles soon compounded. Pitts eventually found himself facing incarceration, a period that he now describes as the lowest point in his life. The memory of his release remains vivid. “I literally walked out with a laundry bag and some prison shoes, and that was it. I had absolutely nothing,” he recalled.
But Pitts’s story did not end there. With the support of Easterseals Crossroads, he began piecing his life back together. The organization provided him with bus passes, clothing for interviews, and the kind of encouragement that helped him take the first steps forward. It was a fresh start, built not on what he had lost but on what he could still become.
Today, Pitts is a student at Ivy Tech Indianapolis, where he is working toward a long-term certification in Information Technology (IT) Support with an elective focus in cloud computing. His dreams extend far beyond securing a stable career for himself. He and a fellow Army battle buddy are planning to open a transitional housing facility for veterans—an idea born from their shared recognition that many former service members struggle with housing and employment after returning to civilian life. Their goal is to create a space where veterans can rebuild their lives, just as Pitts has.
“The support from Ivy Tech has been incredible,” Pitts said. “I didn’t realize how much I was entitled to as a veteran. People like Jason and the Student Veterans Association have been instrumental in keeping me on track.”
Jason Rodriguez, assistant director of Veteran and Military Services at Ivy Tech Indianapolis, was one of the first to help Pitts understand his full benefits, including access to the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) program. Through Ivy Tech’s Office of Veterans Affairs and its Student Veterans Association, Pitts found not only resources but also a sense of belonging—a community of people who understood his journey and encouraged his goals.
In the classroom, Pitts has also left a strong impression. His IVYT Student Success instructor, Sara Fleischhacker, praised the energy and positivity he brings to his peers. “He brings so much support and joy to my class and his classmates. He is an example of not only a good man but a good student,” she said.
One class activity in particular became a turning point for Pitts. Asked to draw his present and future, he sketched his current life on one side—an apartment shared with his loyal dog. On the other side, he drew a building with a flag that read “P&L,” symbolizing the transitional housing facility he and his battle buddy hope to create. “That activity reinforced my belief that we could make this happen,” Pitts reflected. “It’s been a journey, but Ivy Tech and the people here have been instrumental in helping me stay on track.”
As National Veterans and Military Families Month approaches, Pitts’s journey resonates with both his peers and his community. His message to others is simple but powerful: “Never let go of your dream. Set goals, stick to them, and don’t let anyone tell you it’s not possible.”
His story also aligns with Ivy Tech’s broader mission to support military-affiliated students. The Indianapolis campus is working toward earning the Collegiate Purple Star designation, a mark of distinction for schools that demonstrate exceptional support for veterans and their families. For Pitts, that commitment is not just a slogan—it is something he has lived and benefited from.
From carrying a laundry bag out of prison to sketching out his future on a classroom assignment, Pitts has shown that second chances are real, and that education can be the foundation for transformation. His journey is not finished, but the steps he has already taken offer hope to others who may be facing their own struggles.
In the end, his life today is about more than survival. It is about building, planning, and believing that with the right support, no dream is too distant. For Pitts, Ivy Tech has not only provided the tools to pursue a career in technology but also the community that reminds him daily: he belongs, he matters, and he can still achieve something extraordinary.
