Model United Nations. Through Buckeye Boys State, Brian was selected as one of two seniors in the State of Ohio to represent the State at the United States Senate Youth Program. This program brings together two high school seniors from each state for a week long experience in government. "I traveled to Washington D.C. in March of my senior year where I was fortunate to meet President George W. Bush, members of Congress, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, and other government officials. This program was probably one of the most rewarding opportunities that I have experienced and it would not have been possible without SMCC and the American Legion's Buckeye Boys State," he noted.
Brian took advantage of the many academic and leadership opportunities SMCC offers. "Programs such as PSEOP allowed me to gain college credit through BGSU Firelands in classes taught by SMCC faculty who were enthusiastic and willing to go the extra mile to help us learn. These classes allowed me to hone my writing and critical thinking skills and provided me with an advantage once I entered college. The school also provided me with many opportunities to gain important leadership skills through programs like Model UN, Kairos, Buckeye Boys State, and the senior project program," he remembered.
Even in high school, Brian began to focus on politics and law as a possible career choice. For his senior project, he took the initative to shadow then State Senator Mark Wagoner in his Columbus office. That experience led to work in the Ohio Senate as a legislative page for all four years as an undergraduate at Ohio State. Brian recalled that "by my sophomore year, I began working in Senator Wagoner's Office helping constituents from Erie, Ottawa, Lucas, and Wood counties. Later, I helped staff the Senate Judiciary Committee and observed how the legislative process works firsthand. Senator Wagoner, who is also an attorney, became an incredible mentor. This experience provided me with invaluable insight on the Ohio legislative process and the practice of law. Without the senior project program at SMCC, I doubt that I would have been given the same opportunity that eventually led me to pursue a career as an attorney."
After leaving SMCC, Brian furthered his academic career at The Ohio State University. He graduated in 2012 with a Bachelors of Arts degree, summa cum laude. As an undergraduate, he majored in History and Political Science. In 2015, he graduated from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law with a Juris Doctor degree, cum laude.
As a recent graduate, Brian has some words of advice for current students. "First, I would highly recommend setting goals for yourself - both short term and long term. Think about what you would like to achieve as a high school student and beyond. While these goals will likely change as you grow, continuing to revisit these goals will provide you with a path forward and a sense of purpose. Second, never let anyone try to scale back your goals. Keep the bar high. There have been several times when people have doubted the goals that I had set for myself. While it is important to stay grounded, do not undermine your potential to achieve your goals."