HGSE Admissions Blog

Could you tell us a little about your military service?
I enlisted in the Marine Reserves during my freshman year of college. Like many first-year students, I was struggling to adjust academically and thought the Marines would instill the self-discipline I needed to succeed. How right I was! I was so inspired by my experience with the Marines that I earned my commission and joined full time after college. What was supposed to be a four-year adventure turned into a 22-year career, serving across the country and around the world. In addition to operational assignments, I had the honor of teaching at the University of Rochester and the Naval War College.

Are there any connections between your service and education? 
The same sense of service that attracted me to the military is what inspired me to apply to HGSE and join the fight for equitable education. The military experiences of which I am most proud were when we made positive impacts in the lives of real people. Similar to the public education sector, many of the problems we addressed were symptoms of greater injustice. HGSE, and specifically the Ed.L.D. program, provides the opportunity to move beyond addressing the symptoms and affect change at the system level. 

What made you want to come to HGSE?
I knew that I wanted to pursue a graduate degree in education when I left the military and spent a good deal of time researching my options. However, once I attended HGSE’s open house, toured the campus and met with professors and students, I knew that HGSE was where I wanted to study. Everyone was super welcoming and their passion for education and children was clear. 

Any advice for veterans who are considering HGSE?
Whether you are still serving and looking to transition back to the civilian world, or have been out of uniform for a while, your military experience and perspective will be valued here. HGSE’s culture, to include the admissions process, is the most supportive I’ve ever encountered. If you’re still on the fence, I recommend attending one of the many admissions events, visiting the campus and connecting with a current student. I would advise anyone interested in learning at HGSE, especially veterans, to move past any apprehension at applying to Harvard and go for it.