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After more than two decades away from the classroom, Jim Cepeda M'24,'25, decided it was time to challenge himself again. A self-proclaimed "ROTC baby," former law enforcement officer, and veteran of both the Army National Guard and Army Reserve, he approached graduate school with a desire to learn for the sake of learning.

"I came to »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ three years ago because I've always loved military history," says Cepeda. "I had all this knowledge and interest, but nowhere to really channel it or discuss it. I wanted something that would keep me focused and provide structure. After doing my research, »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ became my final choice, and it's turned out to be exactly what I needed."

Now holding master's degrees in both and , Cepeda sees his »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ experience as a turning point that reignited his curiosity and confidence as a scholar.

Rediscovering a Passion for Learning

Cepeda's academic journey began decades earlier with a bachelor's degree in psychology in 1986, followed by service in law enforcement and the pursuit of an associate degree in industrial engineering technology. Later, while working in manufacturing, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology from Southern Illinois University at the Navy base in Memphis.

Even with a full career behind him, the desire to learn never left. "If I could be a professional student, I would," says Cepeda. "When I retire, I want to live somewhere near a college so I can take courses just for fun."

After years of considering graduate school, he finally took the leap. His first attempt in 2021 didn’t go as planned. A year later, the idea resurfaced, and this time, it stuck. "I was 59 and realized I wasn’t trying to start another career. I just wanted to do something for me."

He enrolled at »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ in December of 2022 and quickly found himself at home. He completed his in 2024 and, recognizing the natural overlap between that and American history, continued on to earn a second master's degree. With his capstone nearly complete, he plans to take a short break before returning for two graduate certificates.

"»Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ made the entire process straightforward, from applying and being accepted to understanding what to expect," says Cepeda. "The experience has been so positive that it’s truly reignited my passion for learning."

Why »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ

Cepeda first discovered »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ years before applying. "I'd read about it long before the pandemic, when hardly anything was offered online," he said. "When I decided to study military history, I started looking for programs that fit, and »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ stood out right away."

He compared several universities, including The Citadel and Arizona State University, but »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ's academic focus and accessibility won him over. "The Citadel required three letters of recommendation and standardized test scores, and I didn't want to spend months jumping through hoops," he recalls. "»Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ made it simple. Everyone I spoke to was helpful and responsive. I never waited more than a day for an answer, usually just a couple of hours."

For Cepeda, it came down to two things: »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ's broader focus on military history and the support he received from every department. "The combination of a strong academic program and outstanding support made »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ the clear choice for me."

Expanding His Perspective

Cepeda expected his graduate studies to be a deeper version of undergraduate history, more dates, more names, more analysis. What he found was a far more complex and engaging world of ideas.

His first class, taught by , introduced him to historiography and the many schools of thought that shape historical study. "I didn't even know there were schools of history," Cepeda admits. "The feminist school of history completely hooked me. I had to stop myself from writing too much in the weekly discussions."

Dr. Broom's advice to "get out of your comfort zone" reshaped Cepeda’s view of what it means to be a historian. "He said anyone can be the expert on the Battle of Midway, but a real historian explores topics they've never studied before. That comment changed everything for me."

That mindset carried into Dr. Tony Piscitelli's amphibious warfare course. "I thought it would just be about World War II landings," he says, "But it opened my eyes to operations throughout history I’d never considered amphibious." The class culminated in a debate over the Marine Corps Force Redesign 2030, which sparked Cepeda's deep interest in Chinese strategy and Pacific affairs.

When it came time for his capstone, he applied those lessons again. What began as a study of medical modernization between the Civil War and World War I evolved into an exploration of women's contributions to that progress. "Every source I found mentioned women in some capacity," he says. "It became clear that their influence was a major part of the story."

With the guidance of his capstone advisor, , Cepeda refined his focus and strengthened his research. "Each professor has had a huge impact on me," he says. "Dr. Broom lit the spark, Dr. Piscitelli fueled it, and Dr. Mundey helped me refine it."

A Proud ROTC Legacy

For Cepeda, attending »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ carried a personal connection that went beyond academics. "I've always considered myself an ROTC baby," he says. "I was in Junior ROTC in high school and Senior ROTC in college before commissioning in 1985. Studying at the felt like coming home."

That connection to tradition remains a point of pride. "»Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ is one of the senior military colleges in the United States, and the only private one," Cepeda notes. "Those details might not mean much to everyone, but to me, they mean a great deal. Being part of the oldest senior military school and the home of ROTC gave me a sense of pride and belonging I can't quite describe."

Continuing to Learn and Lead

Even as he nears the completion of his second master's degree, Cepeda's academic journey is far from over. He regularly attends the Military History Writers' Symposium, usually remotely, and plans to complete graduate certificates in strategic studies and defense policy, as well as intelligence and national security.

"I've always been drawn to geopolitical and defense-related topics," he says. "I subscribe to newsletters from organizations like Defense One and the Center for Strategic and International Studies. The certificates will help me study those issues in a more structured way."

When asked to describe »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ in one word, Cepeda didn't hesitate: "Worthwhile."

He credits the university's accessibility, supportive faculty, and rigorous coursework for his success. "»Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ challenges you," he says. "It's a lot of work, but that's what makes it meaningful. If it were easy, it wouldn't be as rewarding.'

As for what keeps him connected, Cepeda points to one thing above all: the library. "The Kreitzberg Library is incredible," he says. "It has books I can't even find in my public library. Before I finished my last degree, I asked if I could still access it after graduation because I didn’t want to lose it."

At home, Cepeda has built his own collection containing more than 100 physical books and over 6,000 eBooks. "I'll never read them all," he laughs, "But if there's a way to donate them to »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ someday, that's what I'll do. I can't think of a better home for them."