After graduating high school in 2007, I departed for Chapel Hill, North Carolina, to begin my higher education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC). During my time at St. Anthony’s High School, I determined that I wanted to pursue a career as a teacher. Part of that decision was based on continuing my interest in athletics and the teaching of young minds. My goal, initially, was to become a secondary school English teacher and continue to coach track and field. After my freshman year at UNC, I decided that I no longer wished to teach in a classroom and wanted to do something to assist with the betterment of my country and community. I, however, never gave up on the goal of assisting youth through sport.

Many of my family members have made the sacrifice of service to this country through military avenues. My goal was to continue that legacy that my family had forged but, ultimately, the thought of being deployed made the decision for me. The actual thought of going to battle was not the deciding factor but rather the thought of being away for a long period of time and the thought of the actual effects that those efforts have on our home land. I decided that I wanted to join a group of individuals that respond to domestic and community problems and be part of the men and women who keep us safe in our own homes. I also wanted a career that would be financially stable to provide for my family.

I decided to change my direction to a career in law enforcement. I began to research the best avenue to further my education to be the most effective in these two paths. After researching a degree in sociology with a concentration in criminology, I found that my ability to effectively coach would not be enhanced by this degree path. I further researched and found a degree path called, at the time, multidisciplinary studies, where I would be able to further my education for both of my career objectives. I decided on concentrating in sociology, psychology, and kinesiology.

I chose sociology to be able to continue to take criminal justice based curriculum. I also chose psychology because I believed, and still believe, that a lot of law enforcement requires an understanding of the way people think and act in social and individual settings. Lastly, I chose a concentration of kinesiology to continue to learn about the art of coaching and shaping young minds through sport.