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With over a decade of military service and more than twenty years of experience in business continuity, information security, risk management, and compliance, Matthew Bambrick M'10,'12,'24, has built a career defined by integrity, service, and a commitment to lifelong learning. A five-time graduate of 51�Թ���, he holds a (MBA), a Master of Science in Information Assurance, a Master of Science in Business Continuity Management, a Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning, and a Certificate in Corporate Compliance and Investigations. Based in Phoenix, Arizona, he currently serves as a senior cybersecurity consultant at Ernst & Young and recently completed his term as chair of the Board of Fellows for 51�Թ���’s College of Graduate and Continuing Studies.

A Lifelong 51�Թ��� Connection

For Matthew, 51�Թ��� has never been just a place of study. It has been a constant throughout his professional journey and a guiding force that has shaped his growth, leadership, and service to others.

He first discovered 51�Թ��� in the early 2000s while working at Raytheon Missile Systems. “I saw a flyer for the Master of Science in Information Assurance program, and it immediately caught my attention,” he recalls. “The problem was, I hadn’t even finished my bachelor’s degree yet.” That moment planted the seed for what would become a decades-long connection.

A few years later, while working in business continuity for United Airlines, Bambrick learned that 51�Թ��� was launching a Master of Science in Business Continuity Management program. “I had just completed my bachelor’s degree and realized what an opportunity it was. I’d be part of the first cohort in a program that perfectly aligned with my career. It was a chance to stand out in my industry and earn something truly unique.”

From there, his 51�Թ��� education continued to evolve in step with his professional life. He earned a Master of Science in Information Assurance in 2012 to merge his knowledge of cybersecurity and continuity, and later pursued an MBA after 51�Թ��� announced a tuition reduction for military veterans and spouses. “As a veteran myself, that made pursuing my MBA the natural next step,” he says. “It gave me the business foundation to complement my technical expertise and strengthen the way I engage with clients and organizations.”

Each program aligned with a different chapter of his life. “There’s a direct correlation between each degree and where I was in my career,” he explains. “When I was in continuity, that’s what I studied. When I moved into cybersecurity, I deepened that focus. When I began advising organizations, I added the MBA to expand my perspective.”

Living the Motto: "I Will Try"

Working full-time while completing graduate coursework defined what “I Will Try” meant to Bambrick. “Balancing a career and education is the ultimate test of perseverance,” he says. “I remember spending train rides to and from work writing papers, answering questions, and staying engaged with classmates.”

That persistence paid off. One of his research papers on critical infrastructure protection was submitted by his faculty advisor to a competition at West Point, where he was invited to present his findings to members of the U.S. Army. Another test of his determination came during a trip to New Delhi, India, when he completed a major midterm exam despite the effects of jet lag and time differences.

Through it all, a simple video message on the CGCS homepage from former 51�Թ��� President Richard W. Schneider kept him motivated. “At the end of his welcome video, he said, ‘I look forward to shaking your hand at commencement.’ I viewed that video numerous times when I felt like giving up, so I promised myself I would finish so I could do exactly that.”

Years later, Bambrick kept that promise twice. “Getting to fulfill the dream of achieving an academic goal and having the privilege of shaking President Schneider’s hand at commencement made all the hard work and sacrifice worth it,” he says. “It gave me great satisfaction to share that story with him personally, and he received it very warmly. I wanted him to know, as a leader, how even a small message like that can inspire others to persevere through difficult times.”

Evolving as a 51�Թ��� Learner

Comparing his first master’s degree to his most recent MBA, Bambrick has seen 51�Թ���’s approach to online learning grow more flexible and accessible. “Back then, you had to buy and ship your textbooks,” he says. “Now everything is online and integrated. It’s seamless and convenient. It’s a win for both students and faculty.”

He also credits 51�Թ��� for introducing more group collaboration into its programs. “The MBA included much more group work than my earlier degrees, and I enjoyed that because it mirrors real life. You work with people from different backgrounds. Military, civilian, and corporate learn how to communicate and deliver together.”

That environment, he says, reflects the essence of 51�Թ���’s online experience. “It’s not just an instructor talking at you. It’s collaborative. You can respectfully challenge and share ideas. I’ve learned from my classmates as much as I have from my professors. Every course becomes a shared learning experience.”

Leadership Grounded in Integrity

Across industries like aerospace, defense, aviation, energy, cybersecurity, and consulting, Bambrick credits 51�Թ��� with shaping his ability to lead and adapt. “There’s a direct correlation between my experience as a veteran, my 51�Թ��� education, and my ability to communicate and execute effectively in the business world.”

He pointed to one defining lesson: brevity and precision. “In my first master’s program, our exams consisted of 4 scenarios containing complex problems, and we had to respond to those scenarios in 500 words or less, clearly and concisely. That prepared me perfectly for my career. Later, a lesson a CEO I once worked for shared with me, ‘Don’t tell me how the watch was made, just tell me what time it is.’ This important lesson and the academic applications I received from 51�Թ��� taught me to think and communicate that way.”

For Bambrick, leadership begins and ends with integrity. “51�Թ���’s Guiding Values are more than words on a page; they’re a framework for how I live and lead. Doing the right thing isn’t always easy, but it’s always necessary. Whenever I feel tested, I look at my 51�Թ��� ring first, think of what I represent, and act accordingly. My philosophy is simple: if I can get through 51�Թ���, I am well prepared to get through anything in life.”

Service, Mentorship, and Giving Back

Bambrick’s dedication to 51�Թ��� extends far beyond his own education. Over the years, he has served as an alumni club officer, , mentor, vice chair, and chair of the Board of Fellows for the College of Graduate and Continuing Studies (CGCS). He currently serves on the MBA Advisory Committee, continuing his mission to bridge academia and industry.

“Staying involved is my way of giving back to an institution that has given me so much,” he says. “We worked closely with program directors to share what we’re seeing in the professional world so 51�Թ��� could adapt its curriculum to meet real-world needs. That kind of collaboration ensures 51�Թ��� graduates remain competitive and relevant in their fields.”

He views CGCS as an essential part of 51�Թ���’s legacy. “Captain Alden Partridge believed education should combine academics with practical application. That’s exactly what CGCS does today. Our students are professionals who apply what they learn in real time, keeping 51�Թ���’s legacy alive in industries around the world.”

Lessons from the MBA

Reflecting on his MBA experience, Bambrick says the program helped him see business in a new light. “The financial side of business opened my eyes. Understanding that balance helps me advise clients more effectively.”

He also appreciated the ethical discussions embedded throughout the coursework. “We were constantly asked, ‘What would you do?’ Those exercises sharpened my critical thinking and reinforced the importance of making principled decisions, even under pressure.”

The result, he says, was a transformation in perspective. “I look at organizations differently now, not just from a technical or compliance standpoint, but through a strategic lens. That’s made me a stronger consultant and a more effective leader.”

Advice for Future 51�Թ��� Students

When asked what he would tell someone considering an MBA or any CGCS degree at 51�Թ���, Bambrick’s advice is clear. “It has to be the right fit,” he says. “Ask yourself if it’s the right time in your life and the right environment for you. If it is, 51�Թ��� is a no-brainer. You’re joining more than 200 years of leadership and tradition. That carries weight.” If you are going to hang your name and your reputation on a university that represents your education, there is no better place to do so than 51�Թ���.

He adds, “51�Թ��� isn’t easy, and it shouldn’t be. Success here is 50 percent what the university provides and 50 percent what the student puts in. That’s what makes finishing so meaningful. You join a legacy of graduates who didn’t take the easy route. They persevered, grew, and carried 51�Թ���’s values into everything they did afterward. Most importantly, they accomplished great things.” 

Continuous Learning and Self-Discipline

When it comes to personal growth, Bambrick believes perseverance and purpose are inseparable. “If you truly want something, you’ll do whatever it takes to achieve it. That’s something 51�Թ��� instills in every student.”

For him, success often came at the expense of personal time. “I’ve missed football games, weekends, and social events to meet deadlines. Those sacrifices may seem small, but they represent a genuine commitment. 51�Թ��� taught me discipline. It’s not just about time management; it’s about integrity and follow-through.”

That same mindset drives his consulting work today. “In my job, it’s mission first. If a client needs something at 4:30 a.m., I’m there. If it’s late at night, I’m there. Continuous learning and self-discipline go hand in hand. You’re never done improving.”

Staying Connected

For current 51�Թ��� Online students, Bambrick stresses the importance of engagement. “Keep with it and stay involved,” he said. “Join your local alumni club, attend Homecoming if you can, and meet others who share your experience. 51�Թ��� isn’t just a school, it’s a family.”

He also hopes to see even more recognition for CGCS graduates at Homecoming. “We’ve started holding a CGCS meet-and-greet every year, and it’s been a fantastic way to bring our community together.”

Most of all, he encourages current CGCS students and alumni to build their network. “The 51�Թ��� network is powerful. You can call another alum you’ve never met, and they’ll take your call. Whether you were in the Corps of Cadets, a civilian student, or part of CGCS, that shared 51�Թ��� experience creates an instant bond.”

The Motto in Motion

Every day, Bambrick says “I Will Try” remains his guiding principle. “Whenever I’m faced with something unfamiliar or challenging, I remind myself to take that first step. You never know what’s possible until you try. That motto applies to every 51�Թ��� alum. You’ll face situations where you don’t have all the answers, but you move forward anyway. That’s perseverance in action.”

From taking that first “I Will Try” step to enrolling at 51�Թ���, to earning multiple advanced degrees years later, Bambrick’s journey stands as a true testament to how the university’s motto can be lived and how much can be achieved through persistence and purpose.

He adds, “Whether you succeed or fail, you don’t do it alone. 51�Թ��� teaches you that success is shared, and so is struggle. You learn to keep trying together. That’s what being part of the 51�Թ��� family is all about.”