Kylie Williamson ’26 has been named Navy/Marines Student of the Year by Navy Federal Credit Union, a top honor in the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) system. Williamson is the first Cornell student to win the award.
Williamson, a physics major in the College of Arts and Sciences, is the battalion commander of Cornell’s Naval ROTC unit, which includes 48 students from across the university. She was selected for the national award from a group of students nominated from 166 universities.
“It was really easy to nominate Kylie for this award because she’s such a high-performing student and leader, but she’s also one of the kindest students I have ever met,” said Michael Mosbruger, commanding officer of the Cornell University Naval ROTC and professor of naval science. “Navy Federal puts students through a pretty rigorous screening process before making these decisions.”
The awards are based on a student’s leadership, military excellence, scholarship and service.
Williamson, who doesn’t come from a military family, said she discovered ROTC as a freshman. She sought a supportive, competitive and encouraging community to emulate the positive experiences from her participation in high school cross country, track and swimming.
“The Navy unit here is an amazing group; people treat each other like family,” she said. “And beyond that, there’s a level of accountability that you’re held to and standards that are set for you.”
Williamson’s concentration in geophysics and planetary sciences has also been useful in her Navy courses, which include the study of ocean processes, she said. She will also use those skills in her next position – as an officer on a nuclear submarine.
“I’ll be able to apply all of the things I’ve learned through a physics degree in a cool setting,” she said. “Plus, I’ve had the opportunity to spend a month on a submarine, so I have a pretty good taste of what it will be like.”
After graduation, she’ll head to Charleston, South Carolina for nuclear power school.
“It’s an honor to be accepted to work on subs,” Mosbruger said. “Kylie had to travel to Washington, D.C. to interview with a four-star admiral. When she’s done with school, she’ll effectively have completed a master’s degree program in nuclear engineering.”
The Navy Federal award includes $6,500 that the winner can use for graduate school or expenses after graduation. Winners also attend a ball, dinner and reception over winter break in Annapolis, Maryland. The winner’s ROTC unit also receives $5,000.
“Kylie’s achievements are a testament to her extraordinary leadership, academic excellence and commitment to better the community,” said Olivia Miller, vice president of strategic partnerships and community impact at Navy Federal Credit Union. “We’re proud to support students like Kylie who’ve dedicated themselves to military service and developed into exemplary models of leadership. We’re equally honored to make an impact on the organizations that have shaped and supported their journeys.”
