In Their Own Words: Real Service Doesn’t End When the Uniform Comes Off

My journey to GS began after I left the Marine Corps, where I served as an infantry assaultman and a combat marksmanship instructor. Those roles taught me discipline, adaptability, and above all, a profound commitment to service. I learned what it means to lead, to represent with honor, and to carry responsibility not just for myself, but for those around me. 

After leaving the service, I found myself needing to reconnect both with community and with myself. I spent time surfing, practicing yoga, and immersing myself in nature. I wasn’t just transitioning out of the military, I was figuring out how to grow into the next chapter of my life.

When I arrived at Columbia School of General Studies, I immediately knew I had found something special. GS offered not just an education, but a truly dynamic community that was made up of people from all walks of life who bring their whole selves onto campus. The Marine Corps taught me how to lead and how to show up for others. GS gave me the space to apply those lessons in new ways, whether through student leadership, mentorship, or building bridges across schools and identities. I’m grateful every day for the opportunity to be a part of our great GS community.

One of the most fulfilling parts of my GS journey has been helping to grow and elevate the reach of the veteran community. This year’s Military Ball was a major milestone—we doubled the size of the event from the year prior, and we did so by building real, lasting partnerships. Through our graduate school mentorship programs, we connected with veteran groups across Columbia’s professional schools, and we extended our presence into non-veteran spaces through collaborations with the GS Student Council and other student organizations. These cross-campus relationships reflect the kind of inclusive, mission-driven community we’ve worked hard to build—one rooted in belonging, visibility, and impact.

Without question, my proudest accomplishment has been helping to shape and advocate for the Veterans Excellence Support Fund, which is a University-backed initiative that provides permanent, targeted support for student veterans at GS. Working alongside GS Dean Lisa Rosen-Metsch, GS Vice Dean Curtis Rogers, and the Office of the President, we created an institutional initiative dedicated to veterans outcomes at GS. It all started when, during a MilVets event, Dean Rosen-Metsch met with MilVets President Matt Rambo and I in a quiet space at the venue. In that impromptu conversation, we discussed the early vision for what would become the Veterans Excellence Support Fund. Dean Rosen-Metsch’s support in helping refine that vision and elevate it—ultimately delivering the proposal to senior leadership—was a turning point in our efforts to create a permanent structure of support for GS student veterans. 

Indeed, Dean Rosen-Metsch has been an extraordinary source of guidance and support throughout my time at GS. Her leadership has had a profound impact not only on my personal journey, but on the broader veteran community. She has modeled what it means to lead with compassion and conviction, and reaffirmed the importance of student-led change within the University. I am deeply grateful for her partnership, mentorship, and unwavering belief in the value of our voices.

Not everything about my time at GS was easy, but every setback taught me something, and it was all worth it. Through those struggles, I met people who reminded me why the fight mattered, I forged friendships with students I once clashed with, and I learned how to navigate adversity without losing sight of the mission. Most of all, I saw firsthand how even the smallest wins, when grounded in integrity and persistence, can touch and inspire others who are also shaping the campus, leaving it a better place for the GS community that comes after.

My time at Columbia has sharpened my understanding of complex systems and reinforced my belief that real service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. After graduation, whether through government service or other mission-driven organizations, I plan to stay on the front lines, not just defending American values, but actively seeking out and dismantling the forces that threaten them. I’m committed to using every tool, whether it's strategic, analytical, or operational, to help safeguard the country I’ve already fought to protect. I’m also exploring opportunities for graduate study, including an MBA, to deepen my leadership toolkit and expand the impact I can make at an institutional level.

To future GS students: Own your place here. This university is yours to shape in the ways that matter most to you. Whether you're leading from the front, or making quiet contributions behind the scenes, your impact matters. The key is showing up with purpose. Find the people who push you, support you, and keep you grounded, and when you’re in a position to lift someone else, do it. That’s how we leave places better than we found them. GS students have always helped lead Columbia forward; now it’s your turn.