Meet Your OVC Colleagues: Fall 2024

Professor of Military Science
Department of Military Science, Army ROTC

My role: Department chair who guides and leads the team to attract, engage, and empowers cadets and future military leaders through rigorous training, education, and mentorship by fostering a culture of excellence, integrity, and dedication.
Years at MIT: I am in my 5^th year, and will be in this position until 2027, then I will retire from the U.S. Army with 20 years of service.
Favorite hobbies or DIY projects: Anything
having to do with being in the great outdoors – hunting, fishing, boating, and
camping; love to landscape and enjoy lawn care!
Favorite sports team(s): I am more of an athlete follower than one single
team – I enjoy watching the teams they play on versus following one single
team. I grew up as a fan of the Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots and still enjoy watching them all.
What was your first job? Athletic field maintenance for the local baseball and softball fields; Softball umpire.
If I won the lottery, I would: Continue to serve this great nation until my retirement from the U.S. Army in 2027. We would continue to live where we live and ensure we and the kids stay grounded. Then, once the kids are out of the house, splurge a little!

Financial Administrator II
OVC HQ

My role: Work as a team to oversee and support the finances of several programs; serve as the primary financial administrator for the OVC Headquarters Office and the Office of Minority Education (OME); primary resource on proposal development including providing one-on-one training to OVC financial administrators and PI’s on MIT’s proposal system, COEUS.
Years at MIT: 25
Favorite hobbies or DIY projects: Love sports (basketball, volleyball, skating).
Last great book you read: The Discovery of Witches.
Favorite movie: Sweet November.
Music or musicians/bands/groups you love: Colombian music, Adele, Coldplay, Shakira.
Favorite sports team(s): Selección Colombia and the Patriots.
Proudest moment in your life: Leaving Colombia to settle in Boston and begin a new life.

International Student Advisor
International Students Office (ISO)

My role: My role mainly comprises of providing immigration-related advising services to international students at MIT.
Years at MIT: 9
Favorite hobbies or DIY projects: Baking and cooking
Favorite food or cuisine: Japanese
What was your first job? A summer job as a teenager which mainly involved weeding and clearing out invasive plants in local parks.
Favorite dessert or treats: Almost any kind of French or Asian style dessert. Baking is my hobby and my family especially likes my Japanese strawberry shortcake, cream puffs, and chocolate chip cookies.

Senior Program Administrator, Graduate Student Experience
Office of Graduate Education

My role: In my role within OGE, I oversee two graduate community programs (Graduate Community Fellows and the Graduate Student Experience Grant), plan graduate student orientation, and manage part of the visiting students program.
Years at MIT: 1
Favorite sports team(s): All of the Boston teams, since I grew up in Massachusetts, but if had to pick one, it would be the Celtics.
Dream vacation spot: Spain and Portugal for the food, museums and beaches.
What was your first job? Cashier at Shaw’s grocery store all through high school.
On the weekends, I love to: Hang out with my wife (and cat!) and spend time with friends and family.