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<\/a><\/p>\nStories of Honor is a Fort Worth Report weekly series spotlighting 12 Tarrant County veterans<\/a> who are serving beyond the uniform.<\/p>\n We also are highlighting nonprofits<\/a> recommended by the veterans.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n For almost eight years, he led the University of Texas at Arlington\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n \u201cUTA was exciting because we built that program from the ground up,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cHe made everyone feel welcomed and supported,\u201d Army veteran Sebastian Molina said.<\/p>\n Kumm knew the importance of building an approachable place for veterans.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t like those choices,\u201d Kumm said.\u00a0<\/p>\n 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n Basic training came first, then 9\/11 happened, changing his opinion on what his time in the service would look like.<\/p>\n \u201cI was kind of using it as a placeholder,\u201d Kumm said.\u00a0<\/p>\n What he didn\u2019t know then was that education, something he put aside, would become the foundation of his career helping other veterans succeed.\u00a0<\/p>\n In 2005, Kumm deployed to Ramadi, Iraq, where he led missions building and rebuilding infrastructure in an active war zone.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was really probably the biggest eye-opening experience for me,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n He realized he didn\u2019t want to spend his life demolishing and rebuilding structures. On advice from his first commander, he started college courses. It didn\u2019t go well at first, but he kept at it.\u00a0<\/p>\n 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThey had no idea how to use their GI Bill benefits and what resources were available,\u201d Kumm said.\u00a0<\/p>\n At that time, organizations like Student Veterans of America didn\u2019t exist. So veterans leaned on one another, forming grassroots support systems.\u00a0<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was probably the best decision I ever made in my life,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThe challenges were not knowing how to thrive in civilian life,\u201d he said. \u201cIt felt like we were coming home to a whole different country.\u201d<\/p>\n After roles in Colorado and Kansas, Kumm moved to Arlington in 2017 and helped UTA serve\u00a0<\/p>\n James Kumm<\/p>\n Age: <\/strong>42<\/p>\n Military service: <\/strong>U.S. Army\u00a0<\/p>\n Occupation: <\/strong>Vice president of student affairs at Tarrant County College Northeast Campus<\/p>\n Education: <\/strong>Bachelor\u2019s degree in sociology from Colorado State University Pueblo; master\u2019s in counseling from Grand Canyon State University; and a doctorate degree in educational leadership from University of the Cumberlands.<\/p>\n Family: <\/strong>Married to Carol Kumm. They have two children, 9-year old Madison and 5-year-old Thomas.<\/p>\n Most important lesson learned in the military<\/strong>: \u201cLeadership is a responsibility; it\u2019s not a right. You have to earn your right to be a leader. You can\u2019t just expect that to be given to you.\u201d<\/p>\n over 70,000 military-connected students.\u00a0<\/p>\n Kumm wasn\u2019t the type to hide in his office. He was always helping and chatting with students, Molina said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Kumm inspired Molina to switch his major from mechanical engineering to social work. Molina wanted to strengthen his people skills.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cHis roots are still embedded there,\u201d Molina said. \u201cHe\u2019s such a down-to-earth guy.\u201d<\/p>\n The office became a place for community, Molina said. Kumm and other veterans were nerds who bonded over movies, memes and Army humor.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery time a new Marvel movie came out, we\u2019d watch it or nerd out about it,\u201d Molina said.<\/p>\n 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\u2019t have a strong veteran program.\u00a0<\/p>\n When he got to UTA, he expected the same thing.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI was expecting a handshake and to get passed off to somebody else,\u201d Rash said. \u201cKumm took the time to sit with me and simplify the process. Joining UTA was a no-brainer.\u201d<\/p>\n After nearly six years leading UTA\u2019s program, Kumm took on a new role as vice president of student affairs at Tarrant County College Northeast Campus.\u00a0<\/p>\n His mission hasn\u2019t changed.<\/p>\n Orlando Torres is a reporting fellow for the Fort Worth Report.<\/p>\n At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative<\/a> for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.<\/p>\n Republish This Story<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Goss-SOHKumm-04.jpg\")
James Kumm\u2019s 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)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Goss-SOHKumm-03.jpg\")
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)<\/p>\n
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