Corps of Cadets

Deandre Macri ’25

May 7, 2024 by rnelson

Hometown: Killeen, Texas

Major: Meteorology

Outfit: Corps Staff/Squadron 6

Originally from Squadron 6, Deandre Macri ’25 currently serves as the 2024-2025 Corps Commander. Prior to being named the Corps Commander, Deandre served as the Corps Sergeant Major.

In addition to his leadership position on the Quad, Deandre is currently a member of the Corps Marathon team. Deandre was also previously a member of the Class of 2025 National Champion Fish Drill Team, the Corps Color Guard and the Cadet Awareness Diversity Expansion Team (C.A.D.E.T.).

Off the Quad, Deandre is a member of the Texas A&M Student Chapter of the American Meteorological Society (TAMSCAMS).

“The Corps of Cadets has developed me as a leader by providing an environment that empowers me to lead confidently while simultaneously providing a safe place to fail at 100% and learn from my mistakes. This experience has made me resilient and prepared for challenges I will face in life beyond graduation,” Deandre said of his time in the Corps.

After graduation, Deandre plans to commission into the United States Air Force, where he hopes to serve as a Weather Officer. Deandre also plans to obtain his PhD in climatology and research satellite warfare with the United States Space Force.

Lucas Scroggins ’24

March 13, 2024 by rnelson

Hometown: Little Elm, Texas

Major: Sociology

Outfit: Company E-2

Lucas Scroggins ‘24 is a sociology major from Little Elm, Texas.

A member of Company E-2, Lucas presently serves as a Platoon Leader and as the outfit’s Public Relations and Discipline Officer. During his sophomore year, Lucas served as the first handler to Miss Reveille X, accompanying her to all events and serving as her primary caretaker for the 2021-2022 academic year.

Off the Quad, Lucas is an active member of the Aggie Mental Health Ambassadors, an organization that is focused on empowering students to change the culture surrounding mental health challenges.

“I joined the Corps with little understanding other than that it would be difficult. I could not have anticipated the value of the experiences I wound up having. The Corps has given me tremendous connections and an invaluable understanding of leadership and followership. I couldn’t be prouder to be a cadet and an E-2 Rebel,” Lucas said of his time in the Corps.

After graduation, Lucas plans to move back to the Dallas/Fort Worth area and work in human resource management.

Corps Hosts 9th Annual Intentional Leadership Conference

March 1, 2024 by rnelson

Each spring, the Corps of Cadets’ Hollingsworth Center hosts the Intentional Leadership Conference (ILC). Open to all members of Texas A&M’s campus community and other visitors, the ILC seeks to grow participants’ understanding of ethical leadership through various panel discussions and keynote speakers.

Though only spanning two days, the ILC is an impactful experience for all participants. Through discussion and advice from industry leaders and trail blazers, those who attended this year’s conference were given a platform to ask questions and learn from some of the best.

In its 9th year, the 2024 ILC focused on “Transformational Leadership: Bridging the Gap for a Better Tomorrow”. One conference speaker, Mandy Scott ‘87, the first of two female members of the Ross Volunteer Company, elaborated on the meaning of transformational leadership in the “Leading Change” panel.

“People have been leading transformationally long before the term was coined. Transformational leadership is all about organizational collaboration toward a shared purpose and goal. It isn’t a top down thing, but rather, something that drives change through collaboration at every level,” Scott said.

Andrea Abat ‘89, one of the first female members of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band, reinforced Scott’s idea of transformational leadership during the same panel discussion.

“Leadership is at the core of all change. Whether it’s in your home, in the military or in another industry, leadership should always focus around the L.O.V.E. acronym. True transformational leaders must look at how you are fostering Loyalty, Ownership, Values and Engagement amongst those around you,” Abat said.

At another session, “Leading by Example”, delegates heard from former cadets who were trailblazers throughout their Corps experience. Speaking on their previous experiences in the Corps and how it has translated to their current endeavors, panel presenters left lasting impressions on attendees.

“Attending the Lead by Example panel really gave me insight into what makes an impactful leader. The fact that transformational leaders are the chief servants of their organization was heavily emphasized throughout,” cadet Lucas Scroggins ‘24 said.

“I now recognize that transformational leaders are only successful when they remain connected to their organization and the members whose day-to-days they are ultimately shaping,” he continued.

Caring about others, a sentiment that was carried on throughout the entirety of the conference, was captured in the final keynote address from Texas A&M President, General (USAF, Retired) Mark A. Welsh III. President Welsh encouraged participants to grow past perceived leadership struggles and invest in those around you.

“To be a transformational leader, you can’t provide instability. You cannot waiver in your opinions. You cannot waiver in the face of a problem. You must provide stability to those around you,” Welsh explained.

The ILC provides a complementary leadership development opportunity to the classroom and leadership laboratory experiences provided through the Corps of Cadets. By extending an invitation to the broader campus community to attend the ILC, those outside of the Corps gained a glimpse of the education and training that prepares cadets to lead beyond graduation.

Story By: Robin Nelson ’22

Cadets Intern On Capitol Hill

February 15, 2024 by rnelson

This spring, cadets Tabitha Ford ‘25, Elizabeth Lewis ‘25 and Volodymyr Ploskanych ‘25 are interning on Capitol Hill through Texas A&M’s Policy Internship Programs. Comprised of Agricultural Natural Resources Policy Internship Program (ANRP) and Public Policy Internship Program (PPIP), these programs are collectively open to all academic disciplines at the university. Both programs seek to place students into policy-related internships at the state, national, or international level, allowing students to apply what they are learning at Texas A&M in a professional setting where policies are being made.

As part of her time in the ANRP, which is open exclusively to students majoring within the College of Agricultural & Life Sciences, Ford is interning for Congressman Keith Self. A biochemistry major, Ford hopes to one day enter the field of medical research, and sees this opportunity as one more step in her preparation toward that goal. She says that her experience in the program has been enhanced by the skills she has learned as a member of the Corps.

“The time commitment of the Corps of Cadets is a big one, and definitely helped me to develop my time management skills for the workplace. Additionally, a lot of networking is done in the Corps by simply having the confidence to go up to someone, shake their hand and introduce yourself, which has contributed greatly to my ability to network confidently,” Ford explained.

“Assertiveness, the ability to work in a team, and working under pressure are all things I learned in the Corps that have been invaluable to my successful experience in Washington D.C. so far,” she continued.

To Ford, even the smallest tasks from her time in the ANRP have proven to be valuable.

“Even if your only task is answering phones, become the best person at answering phones in the world. Eventually, people will notice and you’ll slowly be given more and more responsibilities and opportunities to expand your knowledge and skill set. You can learn from everything,” Ford said.

Also a member of this semester’s ANRP cohort, Elizabeth Lewis, an ag leadership and development major, is interning for her local district’s representative, Congressman Jake Ellzey. With her future goal of attending law school and practicing either ag policy or estate law in mind, Lewis says that her time in the program has validated what she’s learned as a cadet.

“My time in the Corps has given me the skills to work with people in challenging situations, which has proved to be incredibly helpful throughout my internship. The Corps has also given me a sense of discipline that has been amazing for establishing and maintaining my routine in D.C.,” Lewis said.

Through his participation in the PPIP, Ploskanych, a sociology major, hopes to learn more about the human side of the policy process and how it impacts the world around him. As an intern for Congressman Michael McCaul, who serves as the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Ploskanych has been given space to learn more about foreign policy in the U.S.

“The PPIP is understandably a major opportunity for A&M students and a very valuable experience. Above all else, I want this semester to make me a better man for my fish (freshmen) next year and my buddies,” Ploskanych said.

Originally from Ukraine, Ploskanych and his family emigrated to the United States in 2006, and moved to Texas ten years ago. He says that being born in Ukraine is part of what inspired him to apply for the PPIP.

“I became interested in the public policy sector because Ukraine has tragically become a significant point of foreign policy. I thought my language and cultural insights could be of some use in the field,” Ploskanych explained.

As he continues on his journey with the program, Ploskanych also cites what he has learned as a member of the Corps of Cadets as his foundation for success.

“The Corps genuinely does a good job of preparing you for professional situations such as this. I think that freshman year teaches you most of what you need to know for life. Put care into your appearance, work with your peers as a team, say ‘Sir’ and ‘Ma’am’, take constructive criticism and be motivated,” Ploskanych explained.

For others interested in joining the Corps of Cadets and pursuing opportunities like the PPIP or ANRP, Ploskanych has a few words of advice.

“Absolutely do it and do it absolutely. If you stick with your buddies and really make an effort to be involved, you will have an experience to cherish for the rest of your life,” Ploskanych said.

Home to cadets from across all majors, interests and goals for the future, the Corps of Cadets serves as Texas A&M’s premier leadership development program. Leveraging a traditional, military structured developmental model, members of the Corps take what they’ve learned from within the program and apply it to their personal and professional goals.

Story By: Robin Nelson ’22

Anika Waddill ’24

February 14, 2024 by rnelson

Hometown: Burleson, Texas

Major: Nursing

Outfit: Company A-2

Originally from Company A-2, Anika Waddill ’24 presently serves as the PR and Recruiting Officer for First Wing.

On the Quad, Anika works for Corps Recruiting and is a member of the Corps Tennis team and Corps Color Guard. Anika previously served as the First Brigade Color Sergeant. Off the Quad, Anika is an active member of Aggie Sweethearts.

“My time in the Corps has helped shape me into who I am today. I came into my freshman year quite timid and afraid to get out of my comfort zone. During these four years, I have been able to learn a lot about myself and leadership. I have had to adapt to many changes, specifically this year, coming into a new Major Unit. During this time I have learned to get out of my box, working in a new environment with new people. Overall, I think the Corps has helped me become stronger mentally and physically,” Anika said of her time in the Corps.

After graduation, Anika plans to move back to the Fort Worth area to work as a nurse. She also hopes to one day return to school for her master’s degree in nursing.