The Cycling Club was the first recreational club formed at NPS. From your perspective, describe the community of the current club of students, family members, community members, and alumni? How do the relationships built within the Cycling club provide professional development or other networking opportunities outside of the club?

Aside from a couple of people I knew prior to coming to NPS, it was difficult to meet people due to the Zoom environment. Joining the Cycling Club was a great opportunity to meet other NPS students who are also into cycling and triathlon. The club was very inviting, and I was surprised to find out that it wasn't just NPS students. It was great to get out and ride with students from other programs, as well as professors, alumni, and members of the local community. We have a 100-mile Century Ride coming up this month and it will finish at a local restaurant where families will meet up with the riders and have a meal together.

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Another thing that I've noticed is the willingness of members to help each other out. Cycling and triathlon can get expensive pretty quickly, but a lot of our club members are willing to loan out their personal gear, even their bikes, to members looking to try something out before buying their own. We have a great sense of community within the club. On top of that, I have been able to meet a lot of different people from outside my cohort and that kind of exposure to officers from different branches and programs is valuable.

How has the NPS Foundation and NPS clubs affected your time at NPS and in Monterey?

I've met a lot of great people since joining the NPS Foundation and Cycling Club. The Club Rides were the events I looked forward to most during the week. I have learned a lot about the sport of cycling and triathlon from the other members and I have really enjoyed getting new members into both sports. Getting out on the Club rides and NPS Foundation events was a great way to break up the Zoom fatigue in my first few quarters here. 

What are your professional goals? How has your time at NPS affected those goals/your career trajectory?

My most immediate professional goal is the successful completion of my thesis. Following that, I'd like to make the most of my utilization tour and return to the Fleet with the experience and knowledge learned here at NPS. An enduring goal of mine is simply to uphold the high standards of a Marine Officer no matter where I go. At NPS, I am surrounded by high-caliber officers from each branch which drives me to work even harder.

What advice would you give to incoming Naval Postgraduate School students to help them get the most out of their time at NPS and in Monterey? 

Start working on your thesis early! Take classes that interest you and do the reading, it is a worthwhile use of your time. Make the best of your time in Monterey and get outside, meet new people, and pursue your favorite hobbies outside of class. A great way to do that is through one of the clubs at the NPS Foundation.