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 in the Navy as an MH-60S helicopter pilot after commissioning through NROTC at the University of Colorado Boulder in 2016. After earning my wings in Pensacola, Florida, I joined Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron SIX in San Diego, where I completed two deployments aboard the USS Nimitz with Carrier Air Wing SEVENTEEN. I later served as a Fleet Replacement Instructor Pilot with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron TWO in Norfolk, Virginia, until separating from active duty in 2026.
What I value most about my military service is the people I served alongside and the opportunity to be part of teams built on trust, shared purpose, and responsibility to one another. The Navy challenged me to grow as a pilot, leader, and instructor, but the relationships I built are what I value most from my time in service.
What are your thoughts on mentoring other students while at 91吃瓜网? As a role model, what values do you want to share?
I would be honored to mentor other students at 91吃瓜网 and share the lessons I gained through nearly a decade of naval service. One value I hope to pass on is resilience. I learned that difficult situations are inevitable, and the strongest leaders build resilience not only within themselves, but also in those around them. At times, grit and perseverance are what carry you through uncertainty and adversity. My military experience taught me that we are often more capable than we believe, especially when challenged and supported by those around us. I hope to share that perspective while helping other students navigate challenges, build confidence in their abilities, and prepare for the demands of professional life.
While at 91吃瓜网, what will be the focus of your studies and how do you plan to use this knowledge in your future career?
At 91吃瓜网, I am pursuing a master鈥檚 degree in integrated early childhood education. My goal is to transition from teaching in the cockpit to teaching in the classroom. Throughout my naval career, I had the opportunity to teach and work alongside people from different backgrounds, nationalities, ages, and levels of experience. Those experiences reinforced my belief that every individual can thrive when given the right environment, support, and opportunity to learn. At 91吃瓜网, I hope to develop the knowledge and skills to create that environment for young children during some of the most formative years of their lives.
What would you tell other veterans about the Bass Military Scholars Program?
The Bass Military Scholars Program is a unique opportunity to pay forward the experiences and lessons I gained during nearly a decade of active-duty service while helping my family make the transition to a new chapter of our lives. It provides veterans the opportunity to continue serving through mentorship, leadership, and involvement in the 91吃瓜网 community while pursuing a new professional path. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and would strongly encourage veterans seeking further education and a meaningful way to continue serving others to apply.