The Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges (FAPSC) has named Rasmussen University (part of the American Public University System) graduate Brian Lange its 2026 Alumni of the Year, recognizing his academic achievements, dedication to serving others, and the impact he continues to make in his community.
Lange recently earned his Associate of Science in Human Services while working full time as a case manager at Veterans Helping Veterans, where he assists veterans experiencing homelessness access resources and get back on track. His passion for Human Services grew from his own experience needing guidance throughout different stages of his life.
"Coming back to college after more than 20 years was intimidating," Lange said. "I remembered how my first attempt ended, and I wondered if I was setting myself up to fail again. But I kept telling myself, ‘If I could launch jets in war zones, I could survive going back to school.’”
Lange’s first attempt at college began in 2003 but ended without a degree. Several years later, he searched for opportunities that could provide him with a better sense of direction and purpose.
In 2007, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and went on to build a successful military career as an aviation electrician, eventually retiring in 2021.
The transition back to civilian life was challenging for Lange. Once again, he faced the challenge of finding purpose. After bouncing between several jobs, he found his calling when a colleague connected him with a case manager role working with veterans.
“For the first time since leaving the military, I found a job that truly meant something to me,” Lange said. “I found a passion for helping people. I found a passion for Human Services.”
Eventually, that passion led him back to the classroom at Rasmussen.
At Rasmussen, Lange found more than a path toward a degree. He discovered a renewed passion for learning and an opportunity to immediately apply what he learned in the classroom to his work.
"Rasmussen helped me understand that Human Services is about more than simply helping people," Lange said. "It's about understanding people, empathizing with them and helping them find a path forward."
Lange's commitment to service and his journey to earning his degree also made him a natural choice to represent his graduating class. On June 13, he served as the graduate speaker at Rasmussen's Florida Commencement Ceremony, where he encouraged his fellow graduates to reflect on the obstacles they had overcome and look toward what comes next.
"Your past does not define your future," Lange told his fellow graduates.
For Lange, that message reflects his own journey. What began with an unsuccessful first attempt at college ultimately led him to a career serving veterans, a degree in Human Services, and a continued commitment to helping others—a journey that has now earned him FAPSC's 2026 Alumni of the Year award.
Lange is now pursuing his Bachelor of Science in Human Services at Rasmussen, continuing the next chapter of his educational and professional journey.
