From Service to Science: Marine Veteran Charts a Course to MIT

While many chose the path of least resistance, Ian Carranza is built differently. A Marine veteran, and recent Nashville State graduate in physics, Carranza is headed to MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) in the fall. 

Anyone who talks to Carranza can sense the impact enlisting in the Marines has had on his outlook in life. After high school, “I knew I needed to grow,” Carranza said. During his 5 years of service, the Marines showed him the path and reward of doing hard things and learning to be adaptable.

After completing his service, Carranza moved to Nashville. In the fall of 2024, he enrolled at Nashville State, where he chose to study physics. “The same instincts that got me in the Marines got me into physics,” Carranza said.

“Let go for one of the hardest degrees they offer.”

With a large population of non-traditional students, Carrazana found a place where he could thrive and has used his life experience to help guide him through his studies and time on campus.

“The military is going to throw things at you that you have to learn to deal with quickly, so I had that experience,” Carrazana said.

During his first semesters, he was still serving in the Marine Corps Reserves, and he says that working with the faculty really made it easy to adjust and adapt.

“A lot of the professors and the faculty have been really understanding. They would be very patient if it took time for me to get up to speed, and I think that really helped.”

As he found his footing and moved into the rhythm of being a student, Carranza excelled.

“From the first day I recognized him as one of the most motivated and engaged students,” Dr. Bir Bohara, assistant professor of Physics and Astronomy, said.

Bohara met Carranza through his enrollment in his physics courses and then later as a member of the Physics Club, which Bohara advises.

“We need that kind of student. Those who are motivated and engaged in the class and those who go beyond the classroom.”

After his first year , as he continued to do well and gain confidence, Carranza decided he wanted to branch out into more extracurricular activities to get the full college experience, which led him to join several clubs and serve as a chemistry tutor.

“My first year, I didn’t really get involved with many clubs, but by my second year, I figured I should push myself. I didn’t want to become complacent just getting by in my classes,” Carranza said.

“I’ve really enjoyed the chance to expand the scope of what I’m doing. I’ve absolutely loved it; clubs have transformed how I’ve approached college.”

“What clubs allow us to do is apply what we’re learning. Which has been one of my favorite parts. And surrounding yourself with incredibly intelligent and ambitious people who can lift you up and bring the best out of you, and you can do the same for them.”

Entering his final semester, Carranza began looking at other colleges where he could continue his studies and earn his bachelor’s degree. He took a chance and bet on himself by applying to some of our country’s most prestigious universities.

“If I’m going to try for something, why not shoot for the stars?” Carranza said. “I’ve been stress testing myself to see how far I can go, so I decided why not expand again and go for the most ambitious transfer schools I could.”

And that bet has paid off. Carranza was accepted to MIT and plans to enroll in the fall.

“I was in shock for about 20 minutes,” Carranza said.

As he moves into the next phase of his journey, Carranza said he plans to study aerospace engineering with an eye toward commissioning as an officer in the military, becoming a pilot and maybe one day advancing to become a test pilot on new and experimental aircraft.

Whether it was the Marines, Nashville State, or his acceptance into MIT, Carranza has kept  his sights on his goals and never given up, even in the hardest times.

“There’s been times where I’ve had to fight to keep sight of what I’m doing this for. I think the biggest thing, though, is the people that I’ve surrounded myself with.

At first, I figured I could do this on my own, but eventually I decided to open up and rely on those around me as they can rely on me and that’s really helped me,” Carranza said.

“The biggest thing you can do is build relationships, and that allows you to learn from everyone around you. There is so much you can glean from everyone just through the wide variety of people and stories you can find at a community college.”

Pictured, left to right, Dr. Carson Prevatte, instructor of Chemistry; Ian Carranza; and, Jesmin Akther, associate professor of Chemistry.

Special note: This story or visuals of Ian Carranza in uniform does not imply endorsement of Nashville State by the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Marine Corps, or the U.S. Military.