Yet when decision time came, his heart—and his future—pointed home.
“Despite what people have had to say, if I could go back, I would choose Marshall a hundred times over,” Erik said. “From the moment I stepped on campus, I knew this was where I was meant to be. The Yeager Program offered not just an education, but a community that values curiosity, character and service. Marshall has allowed me to grow as a scholar and as a person, while staying rooted in the state that raised me.”
Now, a psychology major and Yeager Scholar set to graduate in May 2026, Erik has built a college experience defined by curiosity, connection and care.
Raised in a small, close-knit town, Erik worried that college would be impersonal, a place where he’d be “just a number.” That changed during his first visit to Marshall for Yeager Finalist Weekend.
“People greeted me by name, asked about my goals, and treated us not as competitors but as future classmates,” he said. “That balance of challenge and warmth stood out most to me; it showed that Marshall’s excellence is built on genuine care.”
The feeling of family he experienced that weekend has carried through every part of his Marshall journey.
“Marshall was not really on my radar at first, but after that visit, it was the only place that made sense. I chose Marshall because it chose to see me.”
Through the Yeager Scholars program, Erik has studied abroad at Oxford University and in Greece; life-changing experiences for someone who had never been outside the country before.
“Those programs stretched me in the best ways—academically, culturally and personally,” he said. “They didn’t just change what I know; they changed how I see the world.”
On campus, Erik found new ways to serve and lead. His involvement in Student Government Association (SGA) began during his sophomore year and quickly became one of the most formative parts of his Marshall experience. He has held several leadership roles, including at-large senator, treasurer, finance chair, interim marketing chair, and now chief of staff.
“Meeting students from every corner of campus, partnering with organizations, and turning student ideas into action—that’s what makes SGA so meaningful to me.”
This year, Erik took on one of his biggest challenges yet: planning Marshall’s Homecoming Parade.
“It’s been one of the most challenging, and rewarding, experiences I’ve ever had,” he said. “Coordinating something of this scale has strengthened my leadership skills and reaffirmed my passion for higher education.”
Erik’s time at Marshall has also been marked by resilience. During his junior year, he experienced the heartbreaking loss of his father. The outpouring of love from the Marshall community, he said, carried him through the hardest season of his life.
“In that moment, Marshall didn’t just feel like a university—it felt like family,” he said. “Moments like those remind me every day that I made the right choice.”
For Erik, it’s the people of Marshall, who stood out not only when choosing to attend but also throughout his time as a student.
“I’ve loved my classes, cheered through unforgettable athletic events, and had life-changing study-abroad terms in Oxford and Greece, but what I’ll remember most is the Marshall family.”
When asked if there was anyone who had a unique impact on his student experience, he said there were far too many to name.
“Each (person) has played a distinct role in my story—opening doors, offering honest feedback, and showing up in hard seasons. I couldn’t be more grateful. I’m deeply thankful for the way they’ve invested in me.”
After graduation, Erik plans to pursue a career in higher education, inspired by the mentors who have shaped his journey.
“My dream is to be a senior university administrator and to champion for the underdog, the first-generation college student, and anyone whom society has counted out,” he said. “I’ve had the best college experience I could’ve imagined, even through personal hardships. The chance to help create that experience for others is what motivates me.
As a first-generation college student, Erik hopes his story encourages others to see Marshall as a place where dreams and opportunity meet.
“Marshall has given me world-class experiences, deep mentorship and a family I’ll keep for life,” he added.
