Student Spotlight 2022: Tyrone Hatton, U.S. Air Force

Tell us about yourself.

I am on active duty in the Air Force stationed in New Jersey, but I am originally from Houston, Texas. I decided to join the Air Force as an integrated communication/navigation avionics technician with the goal of paying for school and the opportunity to travel. A fun fact about me is that I make playlists for every month of the year. 

What was your educational background prior to attending WSP, and which of our courses did you attend?

Before attending the humanities and STEM course at the University of Chicago, I went to school for two years to pursue a degree in biochemistry. 

Why did you decide to participate in WSP this summer, and was there a shift in your confidence level from the first day of the course to the last day? 

I decided to participate in WSP to network and be inspired by other veterans who are seeking similar goals or have already achieved success in those goals. My confidence on the first day of the course was moderate at best, as I did not know what to expect throughout the course. I wasn’t sure how capable I would be at participating in group discussions and learning material in a condensed form. However, my confidence on the final day of the course stood tall. Seeing that I could work long hours and participate in the course lectures showed me that I am capable of success at any institution of higher learning.

What were some key insights you gained during your courses, and what is your biggest takeaway? 

Having the ability to connect with inspiring fellows and student veterans motivated me to pursue my dreams. Before attending the course, I was sure what I wanted to major in, but that changed after learning from world-class professors.

My biggest takeaway was understanding that asking for help is normal and even necessary to succeed. No one knows everything and professors understand this—they are human too.

In one word, how would you describe your overall experience?

Invaluable!