• Hometown: Germantown, Ohio
• Class: 2017
• Major: Software Engineering
• Minor: Naval Science
• Clubs and Organizations: Varsity Baseball, Miami University Powerlifting, Miami University Weightlifting, Ping Pong Club

Why Miami University?

When I was choosing a college, baseball played a major role in my decision. I had several opportunities to continue playing, mostly at Division III schools, and at the time I came very close to making a decision based almost entirely on baseball. Miami University Middletown gave me the opportunity to keep playing the sport I loved while also making a much smarter financial decision, since it was significantly more affordable than many of my other options. Just as importantly, I did not have a strong academic record coming out of high school, and Miami Middletown gave me an opportunity to prove myself in the classroom. It allowed me to challenge myself academically and pursue a major that I likely would not have had the opportunity to enter at some of the other schools I was considering. In the end, I was able to continue playing baseball, receive a great education, and earn a Miami University degree, which made it the right choice for me both at the time and looking back on it now.

How did you choose your major?

When I first started college, my focus was almost entirely on baseball. Academically, I chose what I viewed at the time as a relatively easy major because I was much more concerned with continuing my playing career than challenging myself in the classroom. Once I got to Miami, though, I started to realize that I was selling myself short and that I was capable of much more academically than I had given myself credit for. In 2014, I actually Googled, “hardest majors”, because I wanted to find something that would truly challenge me. Computer Software Engineering was one of the majors that came up, and it immediately caught my attention because I had always been interested in technology. I remember thinking that if I was willing to fully commit myself, there was no reason I could not do it. The very next day, I met with my advisor and changed my major to software engineering. Four years later, I graduated with that degree. Looking back, that decision really changed the direction of my life and ultimately helped put me on the path to the career I have today.

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.

One of the things I appreciated most about my time at Miami was the opportunity to have meaningful experiences outside of a traditional classroom setting. In 2017, I had the opportunity to compete in the Collegiate Powerlifting National Championship through the University, which was an incredible experience. I also had a very hands-on experience through my software engineering capstone project. My team developed an application for a Miami staff member that tracked mileage while driving and rewarded users for staying off their phones behind the wheel. That project gave me the opportunity to apply what I had learned in the classroom to a real-world problem for an actual user, which made the work feel much more meaningful. Experiences like those helped reinforce the value of challenging myself, working as part of a team, and applying what I was learning in practical ways.

As a Miami student, what are some of your awards and accomplishments?

One of the leadership experiences I am most proud of from my time at Miami was helping establish the Miami University Powerlifting Team. What started as an opportunity to bring together students with a shared interest in the sport eventually grew into a team that represented Miami at the national level. Being part of building that program taught me a great deal about initiative, teamwork, and leadership, and competing nationally was an accomplishment I was very proud to achieve while representing the university.

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

When I graduated from Miami with my degree in software engineering, I knew I wanted to build a career in technology, but I do not think I could have predicted exactly where that degree would eventually take me. More importantly, my undergraduate experience had shown me what I was capable of academically. I learned that I could continue pushing myself and pursuing higher levels of education, as long as I was willing to fully commit to the work required. That mindset stayed with me after graduation and ultimately led me to earn a master’s degree in supply chain management and later a Ph.D. in information systems security.

Professionally, my career evolved toward cybersecurity, intelligence, and national security. Organizations like the FBI and CIA had always really appealed to me, and the idea of working alongside people in those communities once felt like a dream that was far removed from where I started. Today, having the opportunity to collaborate with organizations like those on a nearly daily basis is something I still find incredibly rewarding and, in many ways, feels like a dream come true. I previously worked at the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC) and now serve as a Senior Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst with the Air Force Sustainment Center, supporting work involving cyber threats affecting important military and aerospace systems.

At the same time, education has remained an important part of my life, and I have had the opportunity to teach as an adjunct professor at Wright State University. Baseball has also continued to be a major part of who I am, and I have stayed involved through coaching and mentoring young athletes.

Looking back, I do not know that I had one specific “dream job” when I left Miami. What I wanted was a career that challenged me, allowed me to continue learning, and gave me the opportunity to make an impact. I have been fortunate to build a career that combines technology, national security, education, leadership, and mentorship in ways I never would have imagined when I first arrived at Miami.

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

If I had the opportunity to talk to a student considering Miami University Middletown, I would tell them that choosing MUM was literally the best decision I have ever made. It completely changed the trajectory of my life. I came in with a weak academic record and was given the opportunity to pursue a major that, based on my high school performance, I had no business being in. Miami Middletown gave me the chance to prove what I was capable of, and that opportunity ultimately set the foundation for everything I have done since. Today, I have earned a Ph.D. and hold a senior role in the federal government, and I can trace so much of that back to the opportunity MUM gave me to challenge myself and change the direction of my life. I would also tell students to think about the big picture. The traditional college experience may sound exciting in the short term, but MUM gives you the opportunity to earn a Miami University degree at a fraction of the cost while still receiving a great education and having access to meaningful opportunities. Looking back, I cannot overstate how important that decision was for me. Miami Middletown did not just give me an education; it gave me an opportunity that truly changed my life.