Hi, my name is Alyssa. I am a computer science student in the Class of 2024. Before I came to Harvard, I was on active duty with the United States Marine Corps. I was with the first class of Marines to be trained as the MOS 0671 Data Systems Administrator at MCCES 29 Palms.
My first duty station was the Pentagon building in Washington, D.C., where I was attached to Headquarters Marine Corps ARI and HQMC Aviation. As a 0671, I was responsible for facilitating secure communication between HQMC and the rest of the Marine Corps, especially during times of crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic. In D.C., I got to take advantage of opportunities like running the Marine Corps Marathon.
Originally, I am from a small town in Central New York. I grew up with two sisters, an appreciation for the outdoors and academia, and a strong sense of community. Joining the Marine Corps was not something I ever imagined I could do, but life's twists and turns left me determined to pursue it anyway. Upon the end of my enlistment, a mentor of mine urged me to consider Ivy League schools and I started yet another adventure I never expected to take.
My favorite things about the Marine Corps are its core values and the emphasis it places on community and teamwork in its everyday culture. These are things that I continue to carry with me during my time at Harvard, and as the Director of Membership Engagement for HUVO, I seek to foster a sense of camaraderie and support among fellow veterans here on campus. I hope that sharing my story will inspire other servicemembers to come to Harvard as their next step after serving.
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