For James Kumm, joining the military was always the plan. Education? Pushed to the side.
He once saw education as a detour from his military path, but it became his mission to guide thousands of veterans through college, transforming their futures and building a national model for veteran support.
Stories of Honor is a Fort Worth Report weekly series spotlighting 12 Tarrant County veterans who are serving beyond the uniform.
We also are highlighting nonprofits recommended by the veterans.
In November, the veterans will gather for a luncheon where the Report will honor their service at the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington.
For almost eight years, he led the University of Texas at Arlington’s Military and Veteran Services as its inaugural executive director. Kumm helped create a one-stop center where veterans could find resources, staff support and a peer network.
“UTA was exciting because we built that program from the ground up,” he said.
The results showed. In 2018, Military Times ranked UTA No. 12 in its Best for Vets colleges list. Two years later, UTA ranked No. 1 nationally in back-to-back years.
“He made everyone feel welcomed and supported,” Army veteran Sebastian Molina said.
Kumm knew the importance of building an approachable place for veterans.
The son and grandson of airmen, Kumm grew up as an Air Force brat moving from base to base. His father, a bomb dog handler for Air Force One, eventually retired and took a civilian job in Trinidad, Colorado.
There were limited opportunities for people at the time. His guidance counselor told him his best options were to work the natural gas pipelines or pursue a path that would land him in jail.
“I didn’t like those choices,” Kumm said.
Set on serving his country, he called the Air Force at 17, but was told to wait until he turned 18. Instead, he called the Army. The next morning, a recruiter had signed him.
Basic training came first, then 9/11 happened, changing his opinion on what his time in the service would look like.
“I was kind of using it as a placeholder,” Kumm said.
What he didn’t know then was that education, something he put aside, would become the foundation of his career helping other veterans succeed.
In 2005, Kumm deployed to Ramadi, Iraq, where he led missions building and rebuilding infrastructure in an active war zone.
“That was really probably the biggest eye-opening experience for me,” he said.
James Kumm’s various accolades and memorabilia Aug. 12, 2025, in the Northeast J. Ardis Bell Library at Tarrant County College Northeast Campus. (Mary Abby Goss | Fort Worth Report)
He realized he didn’t want to spend his life demolishing and rebuilding structures. On advice from his first commander, he started college courses. It didn’t go well at first, but he kept at it.
Back home, he continued engineering work in the National Guard while working on a sociology degree, graduating in 2008. On campus, he discovered how lost student veterans felt.
“They had no idea how to use their GI Bill benefits and what resources were available,” Kumm said.
At that time, organizations like Student Veterans of America didn’t exist. So veterans leaned on one another, forming grassroots support systems.
During the financial crisis in 2008, Kumm thought about rejoining the Army. Instead, a mentor steered him toward higher education work. He became an admissions counselor at Colorado State University Pueblo.
“It was probably the best decision I ever made in my life,” he said.
From then on, Kumm built his career around helping veterans navigate student life. He connected them with resources, mentorship and partnered with industries to open job pathways.
“The challenges were not knowing how to thrive in civilian life,” he said. “It felt like we were coming home to a whole different country.”
James Kumm poses for a portrait Aug. 12, 2025, in the Northeast J. Ardis Bell Library at Tarrant County College Northeast Campus. (Mary Abby Goss | Fort Worth Report)
After roles in Colorado and Kansas, Kumm moved to Arlington in 2017 and helped UTA serve
James Kumm
Age: 42
Military service: U.S. Army
Occupation: Vice president of student affairs at Tarrant County College Northeast Campus
Education: Bachelor’s degree in sociology from Colorado State University Pueblo; master’s in counseling from Grand Canyon State University; and a doctorate degree in educational leadership from University of the Cumberlands.
Family: Married to Carol Kumm. They have two children, 9-year old Madison and 5-year-old Thomas.
Most important lesson learned in the military: “Leadership is a responsibility; it’s not a right. You have to earn your right to be a leader. You can’t just expect that to be given to you.”
over 70,000 military-connected students.
Kumm wasn’t the type to hide in his office. He was always helping and chatting with students, Molina said.
Kumm inspired Molina to switch his major from mechanical engineering to social work. Molina wanted to strengthen his people skills.
“His roots are still embedded there,” Molina said. “He’s such a down-to-earth guy.”
The office became a place for community, Molina said. Kumm and other veterans were nerds who bonded over movies, memes and Army humor.
“Every time a new Marvel movie came out, we’d watch it or nerd out about it,” Molina said.
Marine veteran David Rash had a similar experience. At his previous school, navigating his GI Bill and student life was challenging, and the school didn’t have a strong veteran program.
When he got to UTA, he expected the same thing.
“I was expecting a handshake and to get passed off to somebody else,” Rash said. “Kumm took the time to sit with me and simplify the process. Joining UTA was a no-brainer.”
After nearly six years leading UTA’s program, Kumm took on a new role as vice president of student affairs at Tarrant County College Northeast Campus.
His mission hasn’t changed.
Orlando Torres is a reporting fellow for the Fort Worth Report.
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