Graduate Spotlight: Naomi English

Naomi English '26

Naomi English came to Bowie State University with a clear sense of purpose and a desire to serve. Inspired by her father's career in the Marine Corps, she pursued leadership and military training through Junior ROTC in high school before continuing her journey through Bowie State's ROTC program while earning a Master of Science in information systems. After graduation, she will commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Army, reflecting Bowie State's commitment to developing leaders prepared to serve and protect their communities.

"I've always looked up to my dad. He advised me to go the ROTC route because it was more challenging and paid more. He's the number one reason I joined," English said.

She also built her discipline through athletics. As a standout track athlete in high school, she developed a strong work ethic that she carried to Bowie State, where she joined the cross country team. The experience strengthened her confidence and sense of community.

"Having that sense of community within the team and just hanging out and practicing with them motivated me to have confidence in myself," she said.

Impact of the Bowie State Experience

Through ROTC, English stepped into leadership roles and challenged herself to grow. She mentored her peers in course material and physical training, strengthening both her leadership and communication skills.

"I was able to take on leadership positions and get out of my comfort zone. ROTC pushed me to get out there and help others or mentor them, especially when it came to understanding the material or physical training," she said.

Bowie State's supportive environment further shaped her growth. Professors and peers encouraged her to take on new challenges, from volunteer work to more rigorous coursework, helping her become more confident and proactive.

"My peers and professors pushed me to put myself in uncomfortable positions. They encouraged me to do volunteer work or take challenging classes. I'm more of a go-getter now," she said.

Before enrolling at Bowie State, English worked as an IT specialist in the National Guard. She pursued her master's degree to expand her technical skills while gaining a deeper understanding of business and organizational systems. Her coursework introduced her to tools and concepts such as Python, Amazon WorkSpaces, machine learning and structured query language.

"In my data management class, I was able to work with Python and Amazon WorkSpaces. I wasn't very tech-savvy before this program, but I learned about machine learning and structured query language," she said.

English's Master of Science in information systems not only supported her commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Army but also gave her the experience she needed to become an intelligence officer. In this role, she will support military operations through intelligence analysis, managing security clearances and coordinating surveillance, building on the technical training and leadership experience she developed at Bowie State University.

Disclaimer: The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense visual information does not imply or constitute DOD endorsement.

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