Thomas Wilkie quickly raised his hand to volunteer to join the Marines following 9/11, a commitment to service and leadership that was also on display during his time at Wake Tech.

Before graduating with an associate degree in Cybersecurity, Wilkie served as president of Wake Tech's Student Veterans of America chapter (SVA), founded and headed the college's Decrypted cybersecurity club and counseled students as a Peer Leader mentor.

"I have a servant's heart, which drives me to give back where I can," he said.

Wilkie planned on joining the Marines after graduating from high school in Louisiana. But in the wake of the 2001 terrorist attack, he finished school early so he could get to basic training as soon as possible. During his 20-year military career, he deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan and also was stationed in Europe and Southeast Asia.

After retiring from the Marines, he and his family settled in Raleigh, his wife's hometown, as he tried to figure out what his second career would be. Although he handled logistics in the military, computers had always been his passion. So, he researched various options in the information technology field and settled on cybersecurity – and on Wake Tech.

"Wake Tech's Cybersecurity program is dedicated to an immersive experience," he said. "I didn't want a fast-paced bootcamp like some other schools offer. I wanted to learn from the ground up, and Wake Tech provided me with that full experience."

Wilkie took advantage of the GI Bill to help cover the cost of his education so he could attend Wake Tech full time and not have to balance classes and a job. He compares the resources the college provides with those available to service members on base.

"All the resources make it easy for you, so you can focus on the hard stuff," he said. "At Wake Tech, that's your courses."

"We want those who have served our country to have every opportunity to succeed in civilian life," said Michael McLamb, dean of Military & Veteran Services at Wake Tech. "Our comprehensive support services create a one-stop resource that honors veterans' service while helping them find new careers and build a strong future."

Wilkie wasted no time building his future, linking up with the SVA, which provides academic and social support for hundreds of student veterans, soon after getting on campus. The previous chapter president had graduated, and when no one else was willing to take over as president, he stepped up.

"He wanted to provide help, support and a network for other student veterans at the college," SVA advisor Patrick Tribble said. "Thomas is selfless individual who goes above and beyond the call to help others in need."

Later, Wilkie approached Information Technology Division faculty about creating a cybersecurity club at Wake Tech, believing it would provide something extra students could put on their resume.

"A lot of students are jumping into cybersecurity without an IT background," he said. "Most job postings want you have a few years of experience. A Cybersecurity degree covers much of that, but I saw a skills gap that I thought club involvement could help bridge."

Faculty members told Wilkie they had looked for years for a student to lead the charge in forming a cybersecurity club, so once again, he stepped up. Decrypted sponsors competitions for students to hone their skills and workshops and events for them to gain knowledge and network. The club also backed the formation of a Women in Cybersecurity chapter at Wake Tech.

"Students were eager for something like this," Wilkie said of Decrypted. "I kept hearing, 'I need to learn as much as possible. I need to know more.'"

His experience with the SVA and Decrypted led to him being selected for a student panel that accreditors with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges interviewed during Wake Tech's reaccreditation process.

The panel also included students in the Care Center's Peer Leaders program. Peer Leaders provide a variety of support, connection and resources to mentor other students. Wilkie said he saw the program as another way to give back to Wake Tech, but he wasn't sure whether he would be a good fit.

Student Success Coach Ashley Wheeler quickly dispelled those concerns.

"Thomas has the kind of personality that students naturally gravitate toward. He is approachable, personable and able to connect meaningfully with individuals from all backgrounds," Wheeler said. "His ability to have genuine, impactful conversations made him especially well-suited for the Peer Leader role, where building trust and fostering connection are essential."

Wilkie says he enjoyed working with younger students, listening without judgment and using his life experience to help guide them through problems.

"The work reflected a lot of what I got from the Marines," he said.

Wilkie was so pleased with his Wake Tech experience that, after graduation, he emailed all his professors to thank them for their instruction and support.

"Being a complete novice in IT on the support side, the instructors' and professors' guidance was crucial to my success," he said. "Being the IT support and security backbone of an organization is a calling for me. I still have a lot to learn and to give back, and I'm ready for the challenge."