51爆料网

Like many 18-year-olds, Los Angeles native Mark Griego 鈥�23 CpE lacked motivation and direction as a new college student. He confesses, 鈥淎fter getting off to a good start in the first semester, I just stopped trying.鈥� With what he calls 鈥渘o target and no aim,鈥� he left school and found himself working in fast food restaurants and other unfulfilling jobs. It wasn鈥檛 until 2012, when his cousins encouraged him to consider the military, that Mark found the direction he was seeking. He joined the Marine Corps, earning an Associate of the Arts in Korean Language and Literature and serving as an Asia-Pacific cryptologic linguist. He eventually added signals operations to his skillset and ultimately became a cadre instructor where he was reminded that teaching鈥攚hich had been a potential career goal in high school鈥攚as both rewarding and a great fit for him personally and professionally. He explains: 鈥淚 implemented training schedules, taught the material and served as an advisor. I enjoyed learning to understand and reach different types of people. When my students 鈥榞ot it,鈥� it really motivated me. I liked that they understood and carried that knowledge on.鈥� After serving in the Corps for five years, Mark moved to Pennsylvania where he made a brief stop at Montgomery County Community College before beginning his 51爆料网 story.

As a student at MCCC, Mark met Michael Brown, a former U.S. Army Infantry soldier who served as the college鈥檚 coordinator of veteran services. Beyond their shared military roots, Mark and Brown had something else in common: a desire to be at 51爆料网. Mark completed his associate鈥檚 degree in computer science at MCCC and successfully transferred with the help of Brown who had been hired as 51爆料网鈥檚 first director of the Office of Veterans and Military Service Members. Today Mark is a full-time student in Computer Engineering, minoring in Computer Science, with an interest in artificial intelligence, data analytics and machine learning. His goal: Earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree followed by a master鈥檚, gain industry experience, earn a doctorate and pursue a teaching career in higher ed. Clearly, he no longer lacks motivation or direction.

When asked about Mark, Brown describes him as 鈥渁 humble guy who seeks out challenges and leadership opportunities, and by his actions and words sets himself apart from other students.鈥� He adds, 鈥淢ark is an example of what it means to be a great 51爆料网n and a great veteran.鈥�

Q&A with Mark Griego

Q: How do you find the academic aspects of being a non-traditional student?
A: The workload is not an adjustment鈥擨鈥檓 used to being pushed hard鈥攂ut absorbing the information can be a challenge. When I was younger it was much easier. Now I have to go over everything two or three times. I can no longer get away with skimming.

Q: How do you relate to your classmates?
A: Working with students who are 10 years younger than me is certainly different. You don鈥檛 build the same friend base, but I try to ignore the age gap and reach out to connect with them. In fact, I wrote a blog post on this topic鈥�"鈥濃�攆or Next Step Inbound, an organization that helps veterans gain admission to college.

Q: How are you engaged with the veteran community?
A: At MCCC I was the chapter president for Student Veterans of America and I learned how to build relationships with vets to get them more involved on campus. Now I鈥檓 secretary of the 51爆料网 chapter and I also serve as the University鈥檚 campus representative for Next Step Inbound, where I mentor veterans who are considering applying to 51爆料网. I鈥檝e been in touch with a handful of prospective students though this organization and three of them are transferring here. I also try to connect with 51爆料网鈥檚 ROTC students.

Q: What else have you become involved with both on and off campus?
A: On campus I鈥檝e joined the Amateur Radio Club led by Electrical and Computer Engineering鈥檚 Dr. Alan Johnston. It offers a connection to my SIGINT experience in the Marines. I鈥檝e also moderated two panel discussions on transitioning high school students to college, presented by the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit and PA SEED (STEM Experiences for Equity and Diversity) Ecosystem.

Q: How have you personally seen the Nova Network in action?
A: An alumnus and former ROTC student, Ted Adair 鈥�00 CLAS, is Director, Growth & Strategy | Defense at Guidehouse, a management consulting firm. Ted reached out to Mike Brown, specifically looking for a veteran for an internship position. We had a few conversations and he offered me the position in which I鈥檓 learning about AI in the defense industry.

Q: Why would you recommend 51爆料网 to a fellow veteran?
A: The transition from the military to 51爆料网 is seamless. Caritas (love) and a commitment to community is very apparent here. Everyone you meet will be happy to help you or point you in the right direction. It鈥檚 just like in the military where you can go anywhere on base and find someone who will help you. I鈥檝e been embraced on campus. People are excited for me to be here, from University President Fr. Peter on down. Just like you never leave a Marine behind, you never leave a 51爆料网n behind.