May is Military Appreciation Month, a special month that CSU is proud to celebrate. It is a time to reflect on the contributions and sacrifices made by members of the armed forces, past and present. For those like Jason Nazarenko who have served or are currently serving, we thank you for your commitment and sacrifice for our country.
Columbia Southern University alumnus Jason Nazarenko joined the Army in 1996 to seek a better life for himself and his family. Young and newly married, Jason waited until his firstborn arrived to join. When his daughter was just under two weeks old, Jason began a military career that would encompass an impressive 23-year journey.
“We just wanted something different,” he said. “We’re from a very small town, and I just wanted something to ensure that we had a good future.”
Jason was initially a cook in the Army and even won the Cook of the Year Award for the 101st division. After serving eight years, he decided he wanted to explore other avenues in his military career. He learned about the Army’s flight program and applied.
“I put in an application, took some tests, scored high enough on them and then I was able to go to flight school,” he said. “I became a pilot, and I did that for a couple of years.”
After a two-year stint as a pilot in the Army, Jason decided to take his pilot skills to another level. He applied for special operations, and after successfully completing the assessment, he rose through the ranks to become a Black Hawk helicopter pilot. He later served for nearly a decade with the elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, also known as the Night Stalkers, completing numerous deployments in support of special operations missions.
Jason started school at CSU to pursue an MBA while serving to ensure he had a career after his service was concluded. Despite being overseas throughout most of his coursework, he found ways to study and complete his assignments.
“I was in the Army at the time I started my educational journey and many of my classes were completed while I was deployed overseas,” he said. “I knew I needed to do something to set myself up for success after my career in the military, and this degree was part of my plan.”
CSU turned out to be the perfect fit for Jason, providing the flexibility and support he needed to continue his education while managing the challenges of multiple military deployments.
“I found CSU during my search for a school and program that was military friendly and that I would be able to navigate inside and outside of the continental United States while serving,” he said. “I spent many hours working on schoolwork overseas in a combat zone with an MRE (Meal, Ready-to-Eat) box as my seat or my laptop sitting on the back of a Humvee where I could have a little peace and quiet to concentrate.”
Giving Back
After retiring from the military in October 2019, Jason became heavily involved in his community. He wanted to give back to his hometown of Cotter, Arkansas, and this is when his MBA degree proved beneficial.
“This degree set the groundwork for me to make incredible impacts on my community and the confidence to do it right,” he said. “It was because of that knowledge that I had, project business knowledge and business management knowledge, that was able to help me along that path.”
When he moved back to Cotter, the area was in worse shape than when he left. He became president of the Cotter-Gassville Chamber of Commerce and began working with the mayor, renovating dilapidated and historical buildings to breathe life back into the small town.
He and his wife purchased Potter Block, a historical home built in 1921. The home sat nestled in a quaint area of Cotter and needed major repairs. However, they saw potential in the home and decided to tackle the necessary renovations to start a vacation rental company.
“We got very involved within the realm of the Chamber of Commerce,” he said. “We have really renovated the town. We’ve had a huge resurgence here, and Cotter has really flourished because of it.”
The renovations inspired others in the community to start businesses and invest. As a result, Cotter went from an eyesore to a prosperous charming town.
Thanks to his fundraising efforts, over $250,000 was raised overnight, allowing for significant projects to be completed.
“That was sparking other people to start businesses and get things going in town, so it really just lifted everything up,” he said. “I tribute that back to the experience of my degree as well as the networking I did throughout that.”
From Black Hawk Helicopter Pilot to House of Representatives
After retiring from the Army, Jason was a senior pilot for an air ambulance company. However, a new career would take precedence.
“I have used my education to start and continue to run a successful small business,” he said. “I have also used many of the tools I gained from the journey in the current role that I am in, state representative for District 4 in the Arkansas House of Representatives.”
He credits CSU for giving him the tools to be successful after the military and to better his community.
“I made friends that I still have today, and those connections have been integral to my success as a business owner,” he said.
Jason also works part time with his local hospital in business development.
“I’ve started working with them in a business development space, so it’s a really good fit,” he said. “It’s a part-time position, so while I’m in Little Rock when we’re in session, I can step away from this job. When I’m back, I’m able to be out here talking with the clinics and visiting with folks, making sure everybody’s getting what they need in those spaces.”
Securing a seat with the House of Representatives gave Jason the extra fuel to better his community even further. He currently serves on the House Education Committee and the House Aging, Children and Youth, Legislative and Military Affairs Committee for the 95th General Assembly.
“I never had any interest in politics,” he said. “I never would’ve imagined in a million years that I’d be in politics. You are a politician, you are a legislator, but I just look at it as being an advocate helping the community, helping folks in need.”
Jason spent his career serving his country. Today, he is passionate about serving his community and does so with grace and integrity. His accolades include achieving the rank of Eagle Scout and being awarded the Bronze Star, two Meritorious Service Medals and two Air Medals.
Disclaimer: These testimonials may not reflect the experience of all CSU students.
Multiple factors, including prior experience, geography, and degree field, affect career outcomes.
CSU does not guarantee a job, promotion, salary increase, eligibility for a position, or other career growth.
