Three Columbia College students stand behind Obama as he signs executive order at Fort Stewart April 27

President Barack Obama signs an executive order establishing principles of excellence for educational institutions serving service members, veterans, spouses and other family members during a visit to Fort Stewart. Standing behind the president on the right is Melissa Ann Schulte, an Army Reservist student at Columbia College-Fort Stewart. AP photo by Carolyn Kaster

In late April, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama visited Fort Stewart, Ga., where the president signed an executive order to ensure service members, veterans, spouses and other family members have the information they need to make informed educational decisions and are protected from aggressive and deceptive targeting by educational institutions.

From left to right: Director Richard Conroy, Semaj Grant, Melissa Ann Schulte and Amy Ivey

Three Columbia College students who’ve had negative experiences with for-profit colleges stood with the president and first lady as they signed the order:

· Semaj Grant, a former Army medic, currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in general studies, who plans to graduate this fall

· Amy Ivey, a military spouse and junior pursuing a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice; her tuition has been supplemented with a Columbia College Spouse’s Opportunity Grant

· Spec. Melissa Ann Schulte ’12, an Army reservist, who just graduated with an associate degree in general studies

“This is a proud day for Columbia College and Fort Stewart,” said Richard Conroy, director of Columbia College-Fort Stewart. “I’m very proud of our students for standing up for themselves and standing next to the president. This is a day I won’t soon forget, and I bet they feel the same way.”