In honor of Veterans Day, we're proud to feature voices from the D'Amore-McKim community, where veterans' perspectives enrich our shared learning environment. From faculty to students, these highlights reveal how military service experiences shape teaching and learning in ways that resonate far beyond the classroom.
Assistant Teaching Professor Chris Miller, a former Navy Midshipman 2nd Class, reflects on how his experience fuels a strong action-oriented mindset. “My military experience let me appreciate the importance and advantages of early application of significant effort into any task,” Miller shares. “Waking up early and putting in focused effort provides more opportunities to grow and succeed.” This philosophy of “Take Charge and Move Out,” as he calls it, informs his teaching style. “My action-based results mindset leads me to teach students through repetition—lecture, reading, problems, quizzes, cases, exams—so they're prepared to act confidently in the real world.” For Miller, his “objective mindset” translates into clear steps, whether he's earning new degrees or certifications or challenging himself to new personal goals.
Alexander Cropley, an MBA '24 alum and Coast Guard officer, finds parallels between his military and academic experiences. “The military is structured and rigorous, and so is the Northeastern MBA program,” says Cropley, who specializes in search and rescue and law enforcement. “The expectations from professors and the program are clear; you know what to expect each day, and you understand the learning objectives.” This familiarity with structure has helped Cropley transition smoothly to graduate studies, leveraging his Coast Guard training to excel.
For Curtis Odom, an Executive Professor of Management and former Firecontrolman Second Class in the Navy, the pride he feels as a veteran shapes his sense of purpose at Northeastern. “The number one thing I learned in the military—and I tell this to my students often—is that leadership is about connecting with people. If you can't connect with others, you can't lead, and you can't follow well either. Walking by the veterans' memorial on campus, I feel a deep connection to Northeastern, where I can be my authentic self. I strive to bring that same sense of belonging into my classroom, where every opinion is welcome and each person's experiences enrich our learning.”
Assistant Teaching Professor of Finance Richard Herron brings the same spirit of teamwork to his classrooms that he experienced in the Navy. A former submariner, Herron compares his students to the divisions and watch teams he once led underwater. “Each semester, I get new teams, and our goal is to learn the skills that will prepare us for the next course, co-op, and job,” he explains. Herron instills a sense of collective purpose, believing that “we can do anything if we all pull in the same direction.” This team-oriented approach ensures that students not only gain technical knowledge but also develop the collaborative mindset essential for future success.
Meanwhile, Associate Teaching Professor William Lovely III, a former Marine Corps Captain, views his students as an extension of the troops he once led. “Any military officer will tell you it's all about the troops. When I transitioned to higher education, I started thinking of my students as my troops,” Lovely explains. “The Marine Corps afforded me a unique opportunity to serve my nation, and my experiences enable me to connect with students in ways that advance their personal and professional development.”
These veterans exemplify how military discipline, structure, and commitment to others continue to guide them, inspiring and empowering the next generation of leaders.