A member of ROTC, a sorority sister, an archaeology enthusiast, and a former Tufts cheerleading captain, all in one? If she stopped and thought about the unique peculiarity of her position, Michelle Engelson would most likely laugh and continue on her way - if only she had the time.
When not waking at six in the morning to trek off-campus for ROTC training, Engelson is taking part in the Tufts University Presents Archaeology Club (TUPAC), Tufts Joint Operations (TJO), Spirit of Color (SOC), and the Panhellenic society (extending the contributions she's already made to her sorority, Chi Omega).
In addition, she works part-time at Lowrie, Lando and Anastasi, LLP, an intellectual property law firm.
"I definitely have to go to bed late and get up early," Engelson said. "I use as many of the 24 hours in a day as possible."
Engelson credits friendships as the things that keep her from burning out. "Downtime is important," she said. "There is actually a portion of ROTC class time sophomore year dedicated to time management skills."
Although dedicated to her ROTC training since she began the spring semester of her freshman year, Engelson still finds it difficult to budget her time, due in part to the fact that there are no training facilities on Tufts campus, so her responsibilities can only be taken care of at MIT. This often makes her late for her 9:25 and 10:25 am classes.
"Try as I may, many of those classes are requirements," Engelson said. "The cadre - professors - at MIT are very understanding though. They emphasize academics first and always try to get the people with classes back to campus as quickly as possible."
Unfortunately, it is not always as easy for the ROTC students back on campus. "Those professors who I have had multiple classes with and who know me best tend to be very supportive," Engelson said.
She cites a speech by President Bacow at last year's commissioning ceremony in which he spoke in support of the link between our nation's academic centers and the military.
"However, if we had full support, we would not still be campaigning for credit," Engelson said. "We cannot receive credit unless the faculty votes to repeal a statement of non-support originally generated in response to Vietnam and maintained in protest of 'Don't ask, Don't tell.'"
"The lack of credit for all the work I put in is definitely inconvenient," she said. Engelson attends the Leadership and Management class at the Sloan School of Business at MIT from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with civilian and ROTC students from other schools.
But without credit from Tufts for this class, "I take additional classes to obtain credits towards graduation," Engelson said. "It becomes a hard thing to get over when students in the ExCollege receive credit for a similar course such as 'Shaping Leaders for a New Millenium.'"
For students who joined ROTC as a scholarship and leadership opportunity, as Engelson did, this resistance makes her commitment difficult, though not at all fruitless.
With a commitment after college of four years of active duty in the Army (followed by four years of reserve duty), Engelson is certainly cognizant of the uncertainty that lies ahead.
"If I said the thought of combat wasn't scary, I'd be lying," she said. "Of course it's scary, but you have to believe that you've been trained to handle whatever comes along."
Engelson, whose grandfather also served in the Army, has the option to remain active after her first four years are up.
And that's very possible. Engelson has seen many benefits in her life as a result of her ROTC commitment. "Training has made me a more effective leader and communicator," she said. "I am more focused and efficient in my endeavors."
These skills will be useful when Engelson is commissioned a second lieutenant in the Army the day before graduation. She hopes to join military intelligence.
"Depending on how I like life in the military, there is always the possibility of making a career out of it," Engelson said. "There are opportunities in the military for pursuits such as law school, and that's a distinct possibility."
If she decides to leave the military after her four-year commitment ends, Engelson would like to continue her education in either law or archaeology. In addition, "with a military intelligence background, there is also room to work in the intelligence community outside of the Army."
Engelson shares her Army ROTC experience with seven other Tufts cadets. There are additional Tufts students in the Air Force and Navy ROTC programs. But particularly with the Army cadets, Engelson shares a special bond.
"I think anytime you share a significant experience with someone, you form a bond," she said.
"I'm very glad I joined ROTC and extremely honored by the opportunity to serve my country," Engelson said. "The values and leadership skills I have learned in ROTC will take me far, whatever I do."
