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After joining the Army in 2019, Bryce (Marketing and Professional Selling, ’27) served four and a half years in the elite Special Operations Aviation Regiment, also known as the 160th SOAR Nightstalkers. Following his service, he attended Florida State College at Jacksonville before a series of life events—including the loss of his father, the opportunity to support his brother and his growing family, and help out with the business his brother had just started—brought him back to Texas.

“Family is extremely important to me,” he said. “Choosing UNT was a no-brainer.” With a clear goal of breaking into corporate sales and an awareness of the Professional Selling Program at the Ryan College of Business, he found the perfect fit.

Bryce’s interest in sales stems from a natural curiosity and a desire to help others. “I enjoy educating people, solving problems, and helping others make informed decisions,” he explained. The variety within sales is what excites him most, allowing him to continuously learn while sharpening his communication and relationship-building skills. When he discovered the program, he saw an opportunity to turn instinct into expertise, and wanted to refine that curiosity into a structured skill set.

As a non-traditional student, Bryce faced an early challenge adjusting to a classroom where he was about a decade older than many of his peers. “I recognized pretty quickly that those first few weeks would be critical,” he said. Determined to succeed, he intentionally built relationships and immersed himself in the program. That effort paid off. “I’ve built strong relationships with classmates who not only support me but genuinely make me excited to come to class.” He also values the fresh perspectives his peers bring, noting it has made him more adaptable and well-rounded.

His classmates have also been instrumental in his success. “The level of feedback, collaboration, and creativity within the group is incredibly high,” Bryce said. Surrounded by driven peers, he feels pushed to elevate his own performance. “When you’re constantly around people who are bringing strong ideas to the table, you have to rise to that level, and I’ve embraced that.”

Bryce’s hard work and leadership were recognized when he received the Gary Walston Academic Excellence Award this year. While honored, he views the achievement through a team-oriented lens shaped by his military background. “Coming from the Army, I’m used to success being recognized as a team effort,” he said. “So, while it’s an individual award, I view it as a reflection of both my effort and the strength of the team around me.”

Through the program, Bryce has developed a solid foundation in consultative selling, along with the ability to communicate effectively in complex, multi-stakeholder environments. He has also strengthened transferable skills like adaptability, problem-solving, and relationship-building, which are tools that will serve him well beyond sales as he works toward future leadership opportunities.

For students considering the program, Bryce offers practical advice: commit fully, embrace high standards, and prioritize being a team player.

“At the end of the day, success in the program comes down to preparation meeting opportunity,” he said. “If you prepare the right way, you’ll be ready to take advantage of those opportunities when they come.”