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 served 8 years active duty for the United States Air Force. I worked as the security manager for an OSI Detachment, managing top secret programs. I think the thing I value most about my military service is the relationships and community I built while serving. My closest friends are all people I met during my time on active duty.
What are your thoughts on mentoring other students while at Vanderbilt? As a role model, what values do you want to share?
I’m open to mentoring. I think I could offer valuable experience. Much of military life involves figuring things out, from your very first day of basic training to your final day wearing the uniform. You’re constantly figuring out the 鈥渨hy,鈥� 鈥渨hat,鈥� and 鈥渉ow.鈥� I would like to mentor someone and help them navigate that journey. Even as a civilian, I find that experience very similar to navigating life as a college student.
While at Vanderbilt, what will be the focus of your studies and how do you plan to use this knowledge in your future career?
At Vanderbilt I am studying to be an advanced Nurse Practitioner. I plan to use my degree in communities that may have a need for healthcare workers, as well as possibly working at a VA Center as a PCM for veterans.
What would you tell other veterans about the Bass Military Scholars Program?
I would tell them that the program is amazing. It connected me not only with veterans in my program, but with people who have been in this program as well as others across campus. This program gave me a chance in terms of finances due to my program at Vanderbilt suggesting we not work during school. The Bass program gave me an opportunity to go after my degree without the fear of finances.