I thought that retiring from the U.S. Army after 22 years would mark the end of my most demanding seasons.
But enrolling in Harvard Extension School showed me that growth doesn’t end with taking off the uniform.
I come from a proud military family. My father served 38 years in the Army National Guard. One brother became a U.S. Naval Aviator; another chose the U.S. Air Force JAG Corps. I joined the Army not just out of a sense of duty, but I wanted to sleep under the stars, smell tanks burning diesel at 3 a.m., and jump out of planes with my knees in the breeze.
For more than two decades, I led soldiers, deployed multiple times worldwide, and commanded air defense and military intelligence units.
Education mattered to me, but between military life and raising two kids, graduate school felt out of reach. Still, a quiet dream stayed with me: to one day study at Harvard University.
Harvard Extension School’s master’s in psychology changed everything. The flexibility of the program allowed me to be a full-time parent, adjust to civilian life, and still pursue a world-class education. Through the distance learning portion of the program, I could log into lectures one moment and help my daughter with homework the next. The mix of online and in-person classes made it possible to balance school, work, and family in ways I didn’t think possible.
Earning a master’s degree from Harvard wasn’t just a professional milestone — it was a very personal achievement. I grew as a thinker, a parent, and a citizen. For anyone considering this path: do it. It will stretch you, but if you’re ready to show up for yourself, you’ll walk away with far more than a degree.
Returning to the classroom after decades away came with a little self-doubt. But the rigor of Harvard challenged me, sharpened me, and ultimately gave me confidence in new parts of myself.
As a father, I was proud to model resilience, academic discipline, and the value of lifelong learning to my children — now both college students. As a disabled veteran, I found renewed purpose in community and volunteer work with veterans’ organizations. And as a professional, I grew in my ability to consume complex information, think critically, communicate effectively, and lead in a new role as a government intelligence contractor.
One pivotal moment in my time at HES came when I shifted from the thesis track to the capstone. That decision led to one of the most fulfilling academic experiences I’ve ever had.
Drawing on my time as a father and insight as an Army officer, I designed a workshop to support the identity development in military-connected adolescents. Having witnessed firsthand the challenges these kids face — frequent moves, shifting friendships, and the pressure of military culture — I poured my energy into building something to help them thrive. With the support of my professor and peers, that idea became a prototype with real potential to help families like mine.
Earning a master’s degree from Harvard wasn’t just a professional milestone — it was a very personal achievement. I grew as a thinker, a parent, and a citizen. For anyone considering this path: do it. It will stretch you, but if you’re ready to show up for yourself, you’ll walk away with far more than a degree.
Harvard University and the Extension School gave me not just knowledge, but direction for this next chapter of my life — and I’m deeply grateful for the experience.
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