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 an Infantry Officer in the Army from 2017-2022. I served as an operations officer, rifle platoon leader, scout platoon leader, and executive officer in the 101st Airborne Division. What I value most from my military experience is the lessons I learned and the people I learned them with.
What are your thoughts on mentoring other students while at Vanderbilt? As a role model, what values do you want to share?
Everyone has their own reasons for returning to school to earn their master’s degree. I hope to build an environment where everyone is comfortable sharing their “why”. Learning from each other’s past experiences will help foster a sense of community that is dedicated to building a better future for all. Throughout my time in business school and into my business career, I want to instill in my peers the idea of always seeking a challenge. Whether in their professional or personal lives, setting goals to overcome a challenge will help unlock new potential and set new higher standards.
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 Vanderbilt, my primary area of study will be in Strategy and Operations. I plan to use this knowledge to pursue a career as a management consultant; however, I am also very interested in the venture capital and private equity fields. My goal is to leverage my previous leadership and problem-solving experience, with a firm that allows me to solve complex and diverse problems.
What would you tell other veterans about the Bass Military Scholars Program?
Being only five weeks into my program at Vanderbilt, there have been multiple opportunities to give back in meaningful ways to the veteran and the greater Nashville community. Navigating higher education after military service can be a tough decision. If you have any questions, reach out to one of us. Every scholar in this program wants you as a veteran to be successful in your transition. None of us got to where we are today without a little help and guidance along the way.