People often ask about my educational background. When they hear "Oral Roberts University, Harvard, MIT," they sometimes look confused. It's an unconventional combination — and that's precisely what makes it valuable.
Oral Roberts University: Building the Foundation
My journey started at ORU, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Beyond the technical education, ORU taught me something many institutions don't: the importance of purpose.
At ORU, we're challenged to think about the "why" behind everything we do. That foundation of faith and purpose has been the bedrock of every career decision I've made since.
The technical skills I learned were important, but the mindset I developed was transformative.
Harvard Extension School: Expanding Horizons
Harvard Extension School offered something different: exposure to world-class thinking across disciplines. The rigor was intense, the expectations high, and the peer group extraordinary.
What I valued most was the diversity of perspectives. Classmates came from every industry, every background, every corner of the world. Learning to synthesize these viewpoints made me a better thinker and builder.
MIT CTO Program: Strategic Leadership
The MIT Professional Education CTO Program was the capstone of my formal education — at least for now. This program focused on what it means to lead technology organizations at the highest level.
We covered everything from emerging technologies to organizational dynamics to innovation strategy. But the most valuable lesson was learning to think like a CTO: balancing technical excellence with business impact.
The Unconventional Advantage
Looking back, the combination of these three institutions gave me something unique. ORU gave me purpose. Harvard gave me breadth. MIT gave me strategic depth.
Each institution challenged different aspects of who I am. Together, they shaped my approach to technology: purposeful, thoughtful, and strategic.
Education Never Stops
The formal credentials matter, but they're just the beginning. Real education happens every day — in the projects we take on, the problems we solve, and the people we learn from.
I'm still learning. Always will be. That's part of the journey.
