Education

MY EDUCATIONAL PURSUITS

Since I was a child, one of my goals has been to complete some form of secondary education, though I have changed my mind a few times as I grew in both my personal and professional lives.

My original plan as a young adult was to pursue education in fire science and emergency medicine, believing it would better prepare me for the career I was seeking as a firefighter and EMT. After leaving active U.S. Army service, I used my earned education benefits to begin associate-level studies in fire science technology as a full-time student at Southern Maine Technical College and also participated in the fire live-in program. I completed a year of studies and realized that, though I enjoyed firefighting and EMS, I did not have the passion for it that I had thought I did, and I withdrew from my studies. I continued to serve as a firefighter and EMT by attending various certification and advanced training courses.

After several years as a law enforcement officer, I felt the next logical step was to pursue a degree in law enforcement. For several years, I attended the University of Phoenix, mostly part-time, working toward a bachelor's in criminal justice. Unfortunately, life events forced me to focus on caring for my family, and I withdrew from my studies again.

In 2020, after serving a year as the Chief Deputy of the Knox County Sheriff's Office, I had the opportunity to resume collegiate studies. This time, I talked with various mentors and friends about options and what would help make me well-rounded and set me up for success after leaving law enforcement. I chose to study public administration at the University of Maine at Augusta - Rockland Center and graduated in the spring of 2025 with a Bachelor of Applied Science, with a minor in Public Administration.