In December of 2014, I received my undergraduate degree from Texas Christian University located in Fort Worth, Texas. During my four years at TCU, I have developed a thorough understanding of geopolitics in relation to past and present world events. My major in Geography and minor in Political Science have been the guiding components of my educational experience. I am intrigued by national borders and the circumstances that have influenced each country. My greatest interests in world politics revolve around the study of major conflicts.
My skills in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) heavily influenced my education and research at TCU. GIS has given me the opportunity to express ideas visually, develop my own research, showcase at conferences, and work with multiple organizations. Since graduating from TCU, I have held three different jobs that required high amounts of knowledge in GIS and other related programs. From February 2015 to December of 2015 I was employed as a GIS Technician at the company Dunaway Associates in Fort Worth, TX (http://www.dunawayassociates.com). As the only fully immersed GIS employee, I helped manage the needs of four offices around Texas. This gave me the opportunity to be the face of all GIS related projects for Dunaway Associates. On the job, I created survey exhibits, economic studies, and site location analysis results.
In 2016, I moved to Tempe, Arizona where I was employed as a GIS/GPS Intern at AAA Landscape in Phoenix, AZ (http://aaalandscape.com/). During this time, I became proficient in Topcon Positioning Systems in which I was left to manage my own time and produce accurate results. Simultaneously, I was employed as a GIS/LIDAR Intern at Cooper Aerial Surveys Co. in Phoenix, AZ ( http://cooperaerial.com/). I worked with Bintely Systems within Autodesk to edit satellite imagery for client specific requests. Ultimately, with the GIS experience, I gained at TCU as well as in the professional environments found at Dunaway Associates, AAA Landscape, and Cooper Aerial Surveys Co., I have achieved over five years of computer mapping related experience.
Since leaving Tempe, I have moved to the United Kingdom to pursue my interest in global politics. I began classes at the University of Leicester in September of 2016. U of L is located in the city of Leicester. I am currently working to receive a Masters of Arts in International Relations and World Order, in which I will finish my degree in October of 2017. I have learned much about international politics in this highly intensive program. My research and interests have been focused on cyber-security threats, transborder communications, female security issues, nuclear weapons policies, and social justice mapping. I am currently writing a thesis on NATO's relationship with Russia, concentrating on the failures of Article 5 and extended deterrence policies when adapting to Russian hybrid warfare strategies. These strategies are based on cyber and political initiatives that Russia has used in some of the most recent Balkan conflicts (Estonia, Ukraine, Crimea, etc.). This thesis will be completed in September of 2017 and will reach a final publishing assessment by October of 2017.
I chose to attend U of L because of its strong academic program in political science research, and the University’s proximity to other European countries. I believe many of my experiences could not be replicated at other universities. While attending U of L, I have personally met human rights activist Nadia Murad who is currently the first Goodwill Ambassador for the Dignity of Survivors of Human Trafficking of the United Nations as well as a Nobel Peace Prize nominee. I have also attended seminars by the Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq, Dr. Saleh Hussain, as well as two former U.S. Congressmen, Phil Gingrey and Martin Frost. In March of 2017, while in London, U.K., I attended a Transparency International Seminar on global corruption management strategies.
While at U of L, I have been elected to represent my fellow classmates as both the Course Representative for the International Relations and World Order program, and the Department Representative for the School of History, Politics & International Relations. I have received a Gold Accreditation Award from the University Student Union for showing a strong ability to organize, problem solve, display leadership, and manage teamwork abilities. I have also received the Leicester Award, which is given to students that have shown high levels of career development skills. Along with these roles and skill developments, I have become a member of the Association of British Science Writers which works to improve standards of science and technology journalism that create an environment for discussion amongst researchers from around the U.K.
Traveling the world is a dream of mine. Each day I work to achieve that dream. Even now, I have been fortunate enough to see many places and make friends along the way. These experiences have educated and enlightened me about differing cultures in many diverse locations. I hope to one day use the skills I have developed in GIS and the knowledge in international relations to gain a PhD that reflects my passions.
My skills in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) heavily influenced my education and research at TCU. GIS has given me the opportunity to express ideas visually, develop my own research, showcase at conferences, and work with multiple organizations. Since graduating from TCU, I have held three different jobs that required high amounts of knowledge in GIS and other related programs. From February 2015 to December of 2015 I was employed as a GIS Technician at the company Dunaway Associates in Fort Worth, TX (http://www.dunawayassociates.com). As the only fully immersed GIS employee, I helped manage the needs of four offices around Texas. This gave me the opportunity to be the face of all GIS related projects for Dunaway Associates. On the job, I created survey exhibits, economic studies, and site location analysis results.
In 2016, I moved to Tempe, Arizona where I was employed as a GIS/GPS Intern at AAA Landscape in Phoenix, AZ (http://aaalandscape.com/). During this time, I became proficient in Topcon Positioning Systems in which I was left to manage my own time and produce accurate results. Simultaneously, I was employed as a GIS/LIDAR Intern at Cooper Aerial Surveys Co. in Phoenix, AZ ( http://cooperaerial.com/). I worked with Bintely Systems within Autodesk to edit satellite imagery for client specific requests. Ultimately, with the GIS experience, I gained at TCU as well as in the professional environments found at Dunaway Associates, AAA Landscape, and Cooper Aerial Surveys Co., I have achieved over five years of computer mapping related experience.
Since leaving Tempe, I have moved to the United Kingdom to pursue my interest in global politics. I began classes at the University of Leicester in September of 2016. U of L is located in the city of Leicester. I am currently working to receive a Masters of Arts in International Relations and World Order, in which I will finish my degree in October of 2017. I have learned much about international politics in this highly intensive program. My research and interests have been focused on cyber-security threats, transborder communications, female security issues, nuclear weapons policies, and social justice mapping. I am currently writing a thesis on NATO's relationship with Russia, concentrating on the failures of Article 5 and extended deterrence policies when adapting to Russian hybrid warfare strategies. These strategies are based on cyber and political initiatives that Russia has used in some of the most recent Balkan conflicts (Estonia, Ukraine, Crimea, etc.). This thesis will be completed in September of 2017 and will reach a final publishing assessment by October of 2017.
I chose to attend U of L because of its strong academic program in political science research, and the University’s proximity to other European countries. I believe many of my experiences could not be replicated at other universities. While attending U of L, I have personally met human rights activist Nadia Murad who is currently the first Goodwill Ambassador for the Dignity of Survivors of Human Trafficking of the United Nations as well as a Nobel Peace Prize nominee. I have also attended seminars by the Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq, Dr. Saleh Hussain, as well as two former U.S. Congressmen, Phil Gingrey and Martin Frost. In March of 2017, while in London, U.K., I attended a Transparency International Seminar on global corruption management strategies.
While at U of L, I have been elected to represent my fellow classmates as both the Course Representative for the International Relations and World Order program, and the Department Representative for the School of History, Politics & International Relations. I have received a Gold Accreditation Award from the University Student Union for showing a strong ability to organize, problem solve, display leadership, and manage teamwork abilities. I have also received the Leicester Award, which is given to students that have shown high levels of career development skills. Along with these roles and skill developments, I have become a member of the Association of British Science Writers which works to improve standards of science and technology journalism that create an environment for discussion amongst researchers from around the U.K.
Traveling the world is a dream of mine. Each day I work to achieve that dream. Even now, I have been fortunate enough to see many places and make friends along the way. These experiences have educated and enlightened me about differing cultures in many diverse locations. I hope to one day use the skills I have developed in GIS and the knowledge in international relations to gain a PhD that reflects my passions.