U.S. Air Force veteran Heber Herrera, a Mechanical Engineering, A.S., major at Montgomery County Community College recently was named the recipient of the ITServe Alliance CSR-Philadelphia Chapter STEM Scholarship. Photo by Eric Devlin
A Montgomery County Community College U.S. Air Force veteran was recently named the recipient of a STEM scholarship.
Heber Herrera, 29, of East Norriton, who is pursuing a degree in Engineering Science - Mechanical, A.S., was recently named a recipient of the ITServe Alliance CSR-Philadelphia Chapter STEM Scholarship. The $2,500 scholarship for the fall 2026 and spring 2027
semesters supports students pursuing degrees in the science, technology, engineering
and mathematics fields.
ITServe Alliance’s mission is “To empower local communities through STEM advocacy, educating the underprivileged, feeding the hungry, supporting our veterans and first responders, and recognizing our community heroes.”
Herrera, originally from Long Island, N.Y., said the scholarship benefits him greatly.
“My main focus is school. I’m not working,” he said. “I live alone. I have a part-time
job where I work at most 10 hours a week. I’m not making a lot of income. So, this
scholarship will offload my bills. It’s very helpful.”
During his six years in the Air Force beginning in 2019, Heber Herrera learned a lot about construction, which would ultimately serve him well.
“My job was a pavement and heavy equipment operator, kind of like a construction worker,” he said. “Most of the job consisted of maintaining and repairing airfields. Making sure they were good to go. That was my job. Anything that involved that was my priority.”
Toward the end of his career, he was promoted to the rank of E4, a role that required him to interact with engineers frequently.
“They opened my eyes on what to do afterwards,” he said. “I thank them for guiding me to what I’m doing now.”
After separating from the military in 2025, Herrera completed an internship before deciding to enroll at the College in May.
“I went straight at it. I didn’t want to waste time,” he said. “I did my time in the military, they covered me. I didn’t have to worry about expenses. I have a privilege from that experience. So my priority now has to be school.”
He enrolled at the College because his sister recently moved to the area and heard good things about the campus in Blue Bell.
“Montco looked great,” he said. “The students enjoy the school here and they had good programs for what I’m looking for.”
At the College, Herrera enjoys visiting the Veterans Resource Center to relax, study, or work on schoolwork between classes. Additionally, the Veterans
Resource Center provides assistance with VA Educational Benefits and Certification,
VA work-study opportunities, priority course registration, Student Veterans Organization
meetings, a veterans' lounge with technology services, free, on-site academic coaching
and online tutoring, community collaboration and networking events.
Going back to school was an adjustment, said Herrera, since it had been about 10 years since he last sat in a classroom. He relied heavily on Tutorial Services to help him achieve.
“Tutoring has been phenomenal,” he said. “I take that as much as I can.”
He also worked with Wellness Services when he first began taking classes, as he felt overwhelmed by the change.
“It was a new change,” he said. “I did a couple sessions virtually and they helped me out.”
Wellness Services at Montco include everything from mental health support and emotional well-being to physical health, stress management, and access to essential resources like food assistance, parenting support, and housing connections. The Wellness Centers at the Blue Bell and Pottstown campuses serve any student who is currently enrolled at the College, including those taking classes online.
Herrera has since done well in his classes and made the Dean’s List.
Herrera said he plans to graduate in spring 2027 and transfer to Drexel University to continue studying mechanical engineering.
“I feel like there are so many possibilities,” he said of his future. “I want to continue my academic career and eventually get a master’s degree. I also want get experience in the field. I want to work hands-on. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a big or small company. Ultimately, I want to start my own business in contracting.”
He thanked the ITServe Alliance CSR-Philadelphia Chapter for selecting him for the scholarship.
“Thank you for picking me,” he said. “I threw my name in to get considered for the scholarship. It caught me off guard to be selected. I’m truly grateful for this opportunity.”
Consider helping a student like Heber Herrera by making a donation to the Montgomery County Community College (PA) Legacy Fund. The Legacy Fund is the official charitable foundation supporting Montgomery County Community College by advancing student success, educational excellence, and community impact through philanthropy. The Legacy Fund connects donors with meaningful opportunities to invest in scholarships, innovative programs, campus initiatives, and the College’s greatest needs. Every gift helps expand access to education and creates lasting opportunities for current and future Montco students. For more information, contact the Legacy Fund or call 215-641-6350.