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 as a Force Reconnaissance Marine, stationed at Camp Pendleton, California, and completed two deployments to the Philippines.
What I value most about my service is teamwork. I spent years alongside people who would do anything for each other, and that sense of shared ownership is something I carry with me. I also valued that no two days were the same. Every day brought a different challenge, and learning to stay calm, think clearly, and perform in unfamiliar situations is one of the biggest things the Marine Corps gave me.
What are your thoughts on mentoring other students while at Vanderbilt? As a role model, what values do you want to share?
Mentoring is one of the things I am most looking forward to at Vanderbilt. In the Marine Corps, the senior Marines who took the time to teach me shaped who I became, and I want to pay that forward. Since starting at Owen, fellow veterans and classmates have helped me with everything from my resume to recruiting, and I know firsthand how much that support matters during a transition.
As a role model, I want to share the values that guided me in uniform: put the team first, prepare relentlessly, own your mistakes, and stay humble enough to ask for help. I want other students, veterans and non-veterans alike, to know that the door is always open and that no one has to figure things out alone.
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 completing my MBA at Vanderbilt I will concentrate in finance and strategy, with the goal of starting my post-MBA career in investment banking or Corporate Finance.
What would you tell other veterans about the Bass Military Scholars Program?
I would tell other veterans that the Bass Military Scholars Program is one of the best decisions they can make for their transition. Leaving the military is a big change, and this program gives you a community of people who understand where you are coming from and are invested in your success.
Beyond the financial support, the real value is the people: fellow scholars, alumni, and staff who open doors, share advice, and hold you to a high standard. It brings back the same sense of teamwork and mission that so many of us miss after leaving the service.