Alex Pirila, MBA

Director of Military Veteran Student Services

Alex Pirila serves as Director of Military Veteran Student Services. Originally from Phoenix, AZ, where after high school he joined the United States Marine Corps as a rifleman in the infantry. Upon completing his training, Alex deployed to Bahrain as a member of the 2nd Fleet Anti-Terrorism Team. Following his first deployment, Alex was sent to join "The Thundering Third" Battalion, Fourth Marines in 29 Palms, California. While with 3/4, Alex deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as a team leader and squad leader, respectively.

Alex was honorably discharged from the Marines and returned to Phoenix to begin his academic studies. He has earned a bachelor's in exercise science from Arizona State University, and a master's degree in exercise psychology from the University of Northern Colorado. As a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, he has worked with a wide breadth of athletes from youth and high school to professional and US special operations. His research focused on the effects of exercise on PTSD in military servicemembers.

While he enjoyed working in a training facility, Alex missed the camaraderie and is thrilled to be working with student veterans.