James T. Ryan

Q: "Tell us about yourself."
A: "I’ll be 60 in a few months. I’m the youngest of nine kids (five girls and four boys). I’ll be married 20 years this July, and my wife and I have a 15-year-old son. I love to travel and have spent a good number of years overseas. I’m retired from the military (most of which was as a U.S. Marine), and I served in federal law enforcement. I’m also a combat veteran, serving in Desert Shield/Desert Storm, OIF I (Iraq), and OIF II (Iraq). While in the military, I served as a special agent for the NCIS. After retiring, I served as a Special Agent with the U.S. OPM-Federal Investigative Service and a Supervisory Special Agent with the U.S. Army Criminal Investigative Division. I am currently seeking a position in the private sector as a Chief Security Officer (CSO) or Director of Security for a medium to large corporation.”

Q: “What was your motivation for pursuing your degree?”
A: “My motivation for pursuing my MBA was to understand the corporate world better, as most of my career has been in the government sector. Having been born and raised in Vermont, I was aware of Norwich University’s outstanding reputation for academic excellence, leadership, and values. Norwich’s MBA was the right choice for me, as it provided me a solid business foundation, which will be invaluable in my pursuit of a position as a CSO.”

Q: “What are your future professional plans?”
A: “My future professional plans are not set in stone; however, I envision working in a medium-large corporation as a CSO or Director of Security. If the opportunity presents itself, I am also open to teaching criminal law, investigations, and associated courses at the college level. Opening my private investigations, security, or consulting business is also possible.”

Q: “Why did you choose Norwich?
A: “Having been born and raised in Vermont, I was aware of Norwich University’s outstanding reputation of academic excellence, leadership, and values. Norwich’s MBA was the right choice for me, as it provided me with a solid business foundation, which will be invaluable in my pursuit of a position as a CSO. What makes Norwich unique, in my opinion, is its legacy, reputation, and it’s many firsts, such as having women serve in the Corps of Cadets and teaching leadership to civilians, unlike the service academies and other private military colleges/universities, such as VMI and the Citadel. I believe Norwich’s program stands out because of its flexibility, highly knowledgeable faculty, and willingness to accommodate working professionals’ schedules and family commitments while pursuing their educational goals.”

Q: “Did you have any uncertainties with choosing an online program?”
A: “I did not have any uncertainties with choosing an online program, as I knew an MBA would best serve my needs; the difficult part for me was deciding which university I ultimately wanted to receive my degree from due to the plethora of choices out there. Location was the deciding factor in pursuing an online degree versus a traditional on-campus degree. I live in Texas and the nearest universities are located about an hour’s drive away, as well as the fact I’m significantly older than the majority of college students.”

Q: “Prior to beginning your courses, what were some of your expectations for an online degree program?”
A: “Prior to beginning my courses, some of my expectations for an online degree program were flexibility, robust interaction with professors and classmates, and quality of instruction. In my experience, Norwich exceeded my expectations. The weekly discussions, group projects, and feedback the instructors and fellow classmates provided were especially beneficial.”

Q: “What advice would you give future students enrolling in one of Norwich’s online programs?”
A: “One piece of advice I would give to future students enrolling into one of Norwich’s online programs would be if they’re uncertain or on the fence, reach out to the admissions office and request to be connected with a recent graduate from the same program, and then ask that graduate about any questions or concerns they might have.”

Q: “What has been your biggest personal or professional success since starting your degree?”
A: “My biggest personal or professional success since starting my coursework has been a change in how I think about things, i.e., with a business-minded focus. Norwich helped me achieve this goal by providing a solid foundation in business practices, culture, operations, and processes. Norwich also introduced me to numerous invaluable resources to set me up for success.”

Q: “Please tell us about a time you could put the knowledge you gained in the classroom to work immediately at your job.”
A: “Although I have not accepted a position yet, I have been able to put the knowledge I gained in the classroom to work, primarily in updating my resumes and answering questions from hiring officials. Prior to beginning my MBA, I had no background in business. I can now speak knowledgeably and more confidently about business concepts, which has greatly helped me.”

Q: “What aspects of your Norwich experience will you carry most strongly with you?”
A: “I think the aspects of my Norwich experience that I will carry most strongly with me is the confidence it has instilled in me and the desire to further my knowledge in my newly chosen field. My experience at Norwich has been nothing short of amazing! I am very proud that I graduated from Norwich and am extremely grateful for the relationships I’ve made as a result. I Will (Always) Try!”