Tell us about your military service. What did you do? Where did you serve? What do you value the most about your military service?
I commissioned from the University of South Florida as a Marine Corps Officer in 2016 before becoming an Air Traffic Control (ATC) officer. As an ATC officer, I served as the Air Traffic Control Facility Officer for Marine Corps Air Station New River and as a Detachment Commander for Marine Air Control Squadron 2. During my time, I supported the 24th MEU, humanitarian aid operations, and numerous training exercises. After completing my time in ATC, I had the opportunity to serve as the Company Commander for A Company, Wounded Warrior Battalion-East. What I value most from my military service is the diversity and quality of people, all working towards a shared goal but motivated by different factors. It was a privilege to lead Marines, and their influence was pivotal in my development and success.
What are your thoughts on mentoring other students while at Vanderbilt? As a role model, what values do you want to share?
As a mentor, I aim to share the insights I’ve gained in leadership, teamwork, and work ethic. During my military career, under the guidance of exceptional leaders, I learned the essence of inspiring leadership and the power of collaborative teamwork. These lessons were reinforced by discipline and work ethic developed through years of service. I plan to impart these values utilizing my own experiences while also embracing the diverse skills and perspectives of my fellow Bass Scholars.
While at Vanderbilt, what will be the focus of your studies and how do you plan to use this knowledge in your future career?
I plan to focus on strategy and operations to further expand my business knowledge. My goal is to pursue a career in management consulting. By leveraging my military experience and an MBA, I look forward to driving change within the consulting industry.
What would you tell other veterans about the Bass Military Scholars Program?
The Bass Military Scholars Program is an incredible program that allows you to work with other veterans to give back to the community. It provides a support network the reaches beyond the walls of Owen and assist you during your transition to business school.