• Hometown: West Chester, Ohio
• High School: Lakota East High School
• Class: 2029
• Major: Information Technology

Why Miami University?

I chose Miami because it offered the combination of academic quality, opportunity, and flexibility that I was looking for. Starting at the Hamilton campus allowed me to begin my education close to home while still having access to the resources and reputation of Miami University. I also liked that I could build a strong foundation at a regional campus and then transition to Oxford as I progressed in my degree. More than anything, Miami felt like a place where I could challenge myself academically while continuing to grow into the career I want.

How did you choose your major?

I didn’t have my whole academic path figured out from the start. I went into Information Technology because I’ve always been interested in technology and figuring out how things work, but as I took more classes I started realizing I was more interested in things like data, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and using technology to solve actual problems. The more I learned, the more specific my goals became. I think choosing a major is less about having everything figured out immediately and more about learning what actually interests you and what kind of problems you want to work on.

Tell us about any special experiential learning opportunities -- research, study abroad/away, student organizations, internships, athletics, or other things -- that have influenced you in a positive way.

Immediately after high school, I had a small group of friends who were incredibly money hungry, even if we did not fully understand what that meant yet. We started building small service based businesses together, doing things like lawn care, pressure washing driveways, window cleaning, and whatever other opportunities we could find.

That period taught me a lot about how a business actually operates. I learned the importance of organization, understanding people’s strengths, knowing who needs to play what role, and consistently executing toward a shared goal. I also picked up a lot of basic accounting and financial principles along the way. I quickly learned that making money is only one part of business; if you do not understand where that money is going, it can disappear just as quickly as it came in.

I look back on that time as a sort of school-of-hard-knocks business education. We were learning through experience, making mistakes, adjusting, and figuring things out in real time. A lot of what I learned during that period still influences the way I think about business today.

What are your plans for after you graduate from Miami? What sort of career are you aiming for? What is your dream job?

My long term goal is to build Metis into a major technology company focused on artificial intelligence, automation, advanced systems, and solving complex real world problems. I want it to grow far beyond a single product or service and become the kind of company that develops new technologies across multiple industries. My dream job is ultimately to lead that company, build ambitious projects with talented people, and create technology that has a real impact.

If you had an opportunity to talk to a student considering coming to Miami, what would you tell them?

Best decision you’re going to ever make in your life. Especially to those in the black community, I strongly urge you to make completing college a must do.