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 graduated from West Point in 2013 and was commissioned into the Army as an Infantry Officer. I served as an Infantry officer in the 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, KY. I then transferred into Aviation where I served as an Apache pilot for the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade. As an Aviator I deployed to Afghanistan in 2018, Eastern Europe in 2020, and Syria in 2022.
What I value most about my service is the relationships I formed along the way. The Soldiers I served with became like family to me.
What are your thoughts on mentoring other students while at Vanderbilt? As a role model, what values do you want to share?
I am very excited to be a part of the mentorship that occurs at Vanderbilt. Helping others learn from my experiences and learning from theirs will make our class better. Something I want to share is the effect a strong leader can have on a team. A leader that will work hard, care about their team, and incorporate ideas from each team member can drastically improve an organization.
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 will be pursuing my MBA with concentrations in healthcare and operations. I would like to be able to improve the efficiency of healthcare systems in a way that increases accessibility to healthcare.
What would you tell other veterans about the Bass Military Scholars Program?
Any veteran who feels they might lose the sense of purpose they had while serving should reach out to a current scholar and learn more about the Bass Military Scholars Program. Transitioning from the military to the civilian world, it has been great to be part of a veteran network that makes a positive impact on the Vanderbilt community.
Beyond your role as a Bass Military Scholar and Vanderbilt student, in what ways do you give back, support others, and engage with your community?
- Member, Armed Forces Club (Owen)