About
What did you love about Carroll?
I loved the family aspect of Carroll. We all seemed to want to be there. I was able to get to know all of my professors and I wasn’t just number. Coming from Los Angeles, I was not sure how I would acclimate to a smaller community such as Helena. It was a great learning environment! I also love the high expectations that were expected from our professors from day one. While they were never overbearing, they always expected us to do quality work and research to defend our positions. I also remember my first snowstorm in October. I woke up looked out the window and thought I was dreaming. I went back to bed, woke up, and realized that I needed how to learn how to shovel snow real fast. Normally in October, I would be trying to catch some sun at Zuma beach next to Malibu. Those type of experiences just added to the great friends and stories that I am able to tell now about my time at Carroll.
What are you doing now?
I am currently doing a few things. I graduated at the bottom of the rescission in 2010, so the job market was bare for a while. Luckily I was able to do odd jobs while things got better. I have been working in politics consistently for about 2 years now. I am running a race in Long Beach, Doug Otto for Mayor. I am also working on my Masters degree on teaching credentials. This election cycle will be my last because I really want to get into the classroom and teach history and government. The real world expereice that I have gained in the last few years has been great and I want to pass that on to students.
What do you plan on doing in the future?
I plan on teaching and coaching baseball. I should be done with my Masters in Education by this time next year, which would leave me next spring to do my student teaching. To anyone that knows me, it's no surprise that I am huge baseball fan. Dr. Swartout and I loved talking baseball in his office. He is a big Jackie Robinson fan so somehow the conversation would always lead back to baseball. I really believe that the Civil Rights Movement started on April 15, 1947, the day that Jackie Robinson and the Dodgers integrated professional baseball. One of the things on my bucket list is to coach at the professional level. This is a huge dream, but I would jump at the chance if ever got to do it. I also officiate. It’s been something I have been doing since high school.
What was your favorite experience or event at Carroll?
Football Saturday’s and officiating my second college basketball game, ever, in the gym. Football on Saturday afternoon was great! For me it was a huge factor in selecting to go to school at Carroll. I wanted to go somewhere that had pride in their football program and thrived to be the winner year and year out. Athletics is part of a good college experience and Carroll offers that. Now with the expansion into men’s soccer and softball, it gives you another reason to be proud to be a Fighting Saint! The other big event was officiating my second college game in my career in the gym. My first game was a tournament at Northern and none of my friends or family were able to attend. My second game was a tournament game at Carroll, two visiting colleges were playing each other. It felt like my first game because all of friends were there and my girlfriend’s family at the time made the trip from Florence to watch. After that we all went to the Brewhouse and celebrated. It is a day I will never forget.