In this edition of Meet the Team, we sat down with Shaun McCaughey, senior student support advisor at Norwich University Online.
Q: What is your background?
A: I started at Norwich in August 2011 as an undergraduate student and recruit within the Corps of Cadets, studying Management with a concentration in Leadership Studies and a minor in Military Science, Tactics, and Leadership. Throughout my time as a cadet within the Corps, I served in recruiting roles within S-1 starting as a Recruiting clerk as a sophomore up to becoming the Regimental Recruiting and Retention Officer by my senior year. Simultaneously, I worked in the Undergraduate Admissions office as a work-study student filling roles from Tour Guide Coordinator through becoming the President of the Maroon & Gold Key Club (MGK). Two months prior to graduation, the Undergraduate Admissions office offered me a position as an Assistant Director of Admissions within the office that I graciously accepted. During the time, I served as the Admissions counselor and a year as the Transfer and Spring Enrollment counselor before transitioning into my roll here at Norwich University's College of Graduate and Continuing Studies. 
Q: What drew you to Norwich?
A: My fascination with military history and my grandfather’s military service in the 11th Airborne during the Second World War were my biggest motivations for attending Norwich as an undergraduate student and in becoming a Norwich employee. The Corps of Cadets gave me the structure, discipline, and confidence I needed while getting a first class education and learning important life lessons that I still carry today; effectively shaping my personal leadership model and philosophy.
Q: Favorite bit of Norwich history?
A: My favorite bit of Norwich history is Captain Partridges’ radical idea of what his “American System of Education” should look like. Integrating experimental learning into classrooms, the necessity of military instruction for times of war but also the equal need for diplomacy and policy making at times of peace, and the need for physical fitness to be integrated in between academic time. Extreme for the early 1800’s but almost forgotten now in the 2000’s, except at institutions like Norwich.
Q: Vermont in summer? Or Vermont in winter?
A. Vermont in summer is much easier to bear than Vermont in winter.
Q: What’s the best vacation you’ve ever been on?
A: April 2019 when I went to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando in Florida with my best friend!
Q: Are you an early bird or a night owl?
A: Early bird, thanks Norwich University Corps of Cadets!
Q: What are you currently watching on Netflix?
A: The Tiger King, who isn’t?
Q: What’s the last book you read?
A: Citizens & Soldiers: The First 200 Years of Norwich University by Alex Kershaw
Q: What’s one thing you’re learning right now and why is it important?
A: The importance of human interaction, staying connected, continuously learning, and maintaining healthy relationships with yourself and others. It’s important now more than every because we’re all in this together and the light on the other side will continue to get brighter day-by-day!
