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 was a combat engineer officer in the Marine Corps. I worked with bridging equipment (Improved Ribbon Bridge) during the beginning of my career and later transitioned to executing various general construction projects up until 2022. I was stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA and spent a lot of time in the South Pacific. What I value most about my time in the military is the people I had the privilege to work with. They taught me what sound leadership looks like, the value of empathy, and how to enjoy adversity.
What are your thoughts on mentoring other students while at Vanderbilt? As a role model, what values do you want to share?
I am always eager to help others and look forward to mentoring Vanderbilt students. I had great mentors in the Marine Corps who taught me the value of having confidence in yourself. Often, with the right attitude, you will be surprised as to what you are capable of. I look forward to sharing my experiences and developing others as good leaders and teammates.
While at Vanderbilt, what will be the focus of your studies and how do you plan to use this knowledge in your future career?
While at Owen, I plan to focus my MBA studies on strategy and management. My goal is to develop myself in these professional business areas and pursue a career in management consulting at a leading organization. While leveraging lessons learned from the military and my formal business education, I look forward to finding new ways to solve complex problems and provide meaningful insight to clients.
What would you tell other veterans about the Bass Military Scholars Program?
The Bass Military Scholars Program is an incredible opportunity to continue serving your community and separates Vanderbilt from other MBA programs. You are immediately connected with humble, like-minded individuals who support you both personally and professionally. If you have any questions, reach out to any recipient and they will be happy to talk about their experience.