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In high school, Barrett Cutshall (’26) sought opportunities where she could challenge herself and build leadership skills. Participating in sports and JROTC were just two of the ways that Barrett found community and worked toward her academic and career goals.

When considering higher education, Barrett knew that she wanted a degree that would combine her interests in life science and space.

“I was interested in exercise physiology and human performance and wanted to learn more about their applications in aerospace settings,” she said.

Leaning toward a degree in Aerospace Physiology, Embry‑Riddle's Daytona Beach Campus checked all of Barrett’s boxes.

“I was looking for small class sizes, strong research labs and research opportunities, athletics and ROTC,” she explained. “Being just a few minutes from the beach certainly helped too."

Rising to the Occasion

Through , Barrett has found an outlet to improve and challenge herself and deepen her impact at Embry‑Riddle. With opportunities for personal and career growth, travel and lifelong friendships, ROTC has shaped Barrett’s college experience and pushed her to achieve her goals.

"ROTC has provided structure, discipline and mentorship and has pushed me to grow as a leader and achieve more than I thought possible.”

During the 2025 Sandhurst Military Skills Competition, which features teams from West Point, Army ROTC units, U.S. military service academies and other countries, Barrett faced a situation where her training as a combat medic was vital.

When a cadet from the Mexican team collapsed from heat exhaustion during the eight-mile ruck march event, other teams called for help, and Barrett happened to be nearby. Without thinking, she jumped into action.

“Once I realized what was happening, I just did what I had been trained to do,” she said. “You never know when someone will be hurt and need help, and I never want to be in a situation where I could have done something but didn’t."

Watching the teams come together around the injured cadet also greatly impacted Barrett.

Staying Motivated and Maintaining a Healthy Balance

Despite Barrett’s busy schedule, she finds success through careful planning and ownership of her responsibilities.

“I tend to perform best when I’m busy — it’s just how I’m wired,” she explained. “Open communication with my teachers and coaches has been essential so that when something does come up or I need some help, it’s easier for me to get the support that I need.”

Through her passion for her studies and future career, as well as encouragement from her parents, Barrett has also found it easy to stay motivated.

“Growing up, I saw how my dad worked long nights and came home tired, but was always there to attend sporting events, make dinner or hear about school,” she shared. “He instilled good family values and a strong work ethic, and I never doubted his love for his family or his faith in me to do any of the things I was passionate about.”

Carving a Path Toward the Future

When Barrett graduates, she hopes to be commissioned as an infantry officer in the Florida Army National Guard and continue her education.

“Following my Basic Officer Leader Course and being assigned a unit, I plan to return to Embry‑Riddle for a master’s degree in Human Factors,” she said. “From there, I will either pursue a research career in human performance in extreme environments while serving part-time or transition to the active-duty Army to further my military career.”

For Barrett, some of the moments that have impacted her the most have depended on her willingness to go outside of her comfort zone and learn new things about herself and others.

“Take advantage of the unique opportunities Embry‑Riddle offers — get involved, seek out mentors, try new things and connect with people,” she said. “There are many things that I have learned about myself over the past four years that I never would have known if I hadn’t put myself out there.”