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By Monica Pignotti Naas

When he was 6 years old, Michael Miser and his four older siblings entered the foster care system. At 19, he enlisted in the Navy. By the age of 22, Miser was quarantined on the USS Nimitz during the 2020 global pandemic.

And at 25, Miser arrived at CPP, eager to turn his experiences into lessons that could inspire others facing similar challenges to pursue the best version of themselves through higher education.

Thinking back to when he entered the foster care system, Miser says “it was like any other typical school day” when Child Protective Services intervened in 2004, separating him from his family. He moved into the Orangewood Children’s Home in Fullerton, a place he described as “like a dormitory at best but a bit military-esque.”

Miser and his siblings were separated by age, a painful but common reality in the foster care system. Some years later, his life took an unexpected turn when Kimberely and Michael Miser adopted all five siblings together. It was an extraordinary and rare act that allowed the siblings to reunite under one roof and build a stable foundation.

Despite this, life after high school felt uncertain. Miser described feeling lost, taking on various retail jobs, unsure of his path and yearning for direction. Seeking stability, Miser entered the Navy’s nuclear training program like his brother Mark had before him, even though Mark strongly objected.

“The nuclear training pipeline was sad; it really took a toll on everyone involved,” Miser says candidly.

He was first stationed in Charleston, South Carolina, and later served aboard the USS Carl Vinson and USS Nimitz. His service included an extended deployment in 2020, when sailors were confined to the ship due to the pandemic, followed by another deployment just months later. After rising to the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class, Miser took on the responsibility of caring for his junior sailors, an experience that he would later repeat in college.

After completing his naval service, Miser decided to use his GI Bill not just as a benefit, but as a launchpad.

“I saw education as the next step in discovering who I wanted to be,” he says.

At Cal Poly ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½, he initially majored in business but switched to political science with a minor in philosophy in order to follow his passion for advocacy. He is actively involved in on-campus programs and internships.

The Veterans Resource Center (VRC) is close to Miser’s heart as it provides a “one-of-a-kind, vibrant and robust” support system for veterans, thanks in part to the leadership of Elke Azpeitia, the center’s founding director.

“Elke’s influence was very welcoming,” he says. “When you walk into the VRC, there are instant connections. And Elke brings that personal touch that makes all the difference.”

Through the center, Miser landed an internship with the Veteran Peer Access Network at the Bob Hope Patriotic Hall in downtown Los Angeles, managing social media to connect veterans with crucial resources. 

“I always tell my staff, being student centered is our mission,” Azpeitia says. “Michael has especially taken this to heart. You can see how he has amplified our mission by fostering community and support across campus.”

The Veterans Resource Center isn’t the only place Miser has found community. He also found a home in the Renaissance Scholars program, which supports current and former foster youth at Cal Poly ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½.

“I’ve always had a lot of fear of being labeled in any category,” he says of his initial hesitation to join Renaissance Scholars. However, once involved, it became one of the most impactful communities in his college experience.

“Within a few weeks, I had friends helping me move apartments,” he said. “That kind of connection is beautiful.”

Miser is now a peer mentor in Renaissance Scholars, currently guiding his second cohort of 13 students. He meets with mentees throughout the year — some monthly, others weekly and some even more frequently. Miser describes peer mentoring as equal parts presence and navigation.

“I was already hanging around the lounge a lot as a more experienced student, naturally connecting people with resources,” he says. “Then Makeda, the program director, told me, ‘You know, there’s a job for this.’”

Among his mentees is Jayden Briones, a sophomore studying computer science who entered college at the age of 17. Miser remembers Jayden arriving with drive — “hunger in his eyes,” he says — but unsure where to direct it. With steady encouragement, Miser saw how he began to approach college differently: showing up, leaning into new connections and taking advantage of the possibilities in front of him.

“His transformation has been remarkable. From his social engagement around campus and in life, to academic progress and internship pursuits, he’s really begun taking opportunities, and that’s so wonderful,” Miser says. 

Miser also supports the Undocumented Student Services Center, taking another opportunity to uplift and encourage students through sharing the structure, discipline and care he cultivated in the Navy. 

Miser said his passion for mentoring others comes from a place of gratitude and hope.

“When you are foster youth and your parents choose a path without you in it, you grow to never expect to get what you want,” he says. “At CPP, opportunities and support are here to help students ‘Become by Doing.’ As a mentor, I get to help them get closer to doing what they want and being who they want to be. I think that’s more meaningful than anything I’ve achieved.”

As an undergraduate, Miser completed internships at Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, and Congressman Adam Smith’s office, where he worked on child welfare legislation for the 9th District of Washington state.

Miser says the experiences and connections at CPP continue to pay off. “I really want to keep saying ‘Become by Doing’ because it fits in a lot of ways,” he says. “If you keep doing well where you’re at, things open up.”

In the fall, Miser was recognized as a 2025-26 President’s Scholar, which includes a scholarship award of $2,500. He attributes his success to two factors: those who believe in him, especially Professor Daniel Lewis of the history department, and his personal commitment to ensuring everyone can thrive.

After graduating in May, Miser will enter the prestigious Coro Fellowship in Public Affairs, a highly selective nine-month leadership development program designed to prepare emerging leaders for impactful careers in public service. Fellows participate in hands-on projects, seminars and rotations across government, business, nonprofit and labor organizations, gaining firsthand experience in policymaking and civic engagement.

From there, he plans to go to law school and continue using his voice to shape policy in areas such as child welfare and veterans affairs. He’s also open to where his path may lead him next. His time at Cal Poly ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ has given him a foundation and a launching point to a life of purpose.

“It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”