• Hometown: Hamilton, OH
• High School: Hamilton High School
• Class: 2027
• Major: Integrated Mathematics Education
• Current Place of Employment: Ohio Army National Guard

Why Miami University?

The obvious reasons are that it is less than a 10-minute commute from my house, and the less daunting tuition rates. However, I have heard nothing but good things about the regional campuses, and many friends I went to school with attended Miami as well. It only felt right to attend considering it's in my hometown, and who wouldn’t want to become a RedHawk!

How did you choose your major?

I’ve known for a long time that I want to be part of the positive difference in the world, and I thought what better way than to become a teacher. Throughout high school, my teachers have had the largest impact on not only my education journey but my life in general. Specifically, my NJROTC instructors, Todd McAlister and Jim Allison, as well as the paraprofessional Jackie Noonan. My teachers inspired me to be the best me I could be and gave me the courage and confidence to beat the odds. I want to be that teacher my students remember 20 years down the road as the person who gave them hope. I chose math specifically because it has always been something I truly enjoyed, and I find satisfaction knowing that no equation has just one way of solving it, but hundreds. Too many students think they just aren't good at math, but I believe they just need help finding the passion, and with the right guidance, I hope I can do that!

How have any faculty, staff, or mentors at the University played a significant role in your journey?

Catherine Cerone has definitely played a significant role in my journey at Miami’s Hamilton campus! She has been the most caring and dedicated professor I have yet to come across. I spent more time in her office getting additional help on homework than I probably have in other classes. Even if she is busy with other students during office hours, she would take the time to extend her help through Canvas as well. She genuinely cares about her students and wants everyone to not only succeed but to thrive. She has the passion that not all professors can ever fully attain, and I am beyond grateful for my time in her classroom. Not to mention, I started my first semester of college back in spring of 2022, but then, come fall, I had to put college on pause due to being deployed with the Ohio Army National Guard to a combat zone in Syria for a year. When I came home in late 2023, I was nervous to go back to school because I was a bit older than the typical age, and things just didn't feel on track, but coming back to Ms. Cerone's classroom and seeing her familiar face made all the difference. The best part was that she remembered me!

Other Notable Experience 

​​Unfortunately, with my dedication to the Army, I haven't been able to be as involved with school as I would like to be. I have been asked to be in the Honor Society and other organizations, but juggling my military training with my coursework can be overwhelming. Not to mention, I can be deployed at any time, just like in 2022 when I had to put school on pause for a year. I wouldn't trade my position for the world, though. I'm extremely grateful for all the opportunities the military has given me and all the ones that are yet to come! One thing that I am proud of myself for is making the president's list in both the fall of 2024 and spring of 2025. Those feel like huge accomplishments, considering I felt so out of place upon returning to school.

Advice to Prospective Students

It's never too late! You can be 40 with a degree or 40 without a degree. No one asks you how old you were when you walked the stage; it's not written on your diploma, and frankly, no one cares. Don't worry about what people think about you in class, you're meant to be there just as much as they are.