Meet Murdock

Name: Murdock MacAskill

Class of: 2029

Program: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science w/ a conc. in Machine Learning

"Your support has made a real difference in my life by helping remove financial barriers that would have made attending SNHU impossible."


What made you choose Southern New Hampshire University, and what do you value most about your experience here?

I chose Southern New Hampshire University because it offered the flexibility of both online and in person classes, strong veteran support, and a path toward studying artificial intelligence at the master’s level. I am currently studying machine learning, and I hope to continue into an AI focused graduate program after finishing my undergraduate degree. One of the best parts of my experience so far has been the students on campus, especially being around people of different ages and life experiences. What I value most about SNHU is the flexibility, because it gives me room to pursue my goals while still balancing the rest of my life.

How do the scholarships and financial aid you receive make it possible for you to attend SNHU? How have they made a difference for you?

The scholarships, grants, VA benefits, and federal aid I receive are what make attending Southern New Hampshire University possible for me. Without that support, I would not be able to afford tuition, books, fees, transportation, housing, or the other costs that come with being a student. As a veteran, that aid means a great deal because it gives me the chance to keep moving forward with my education and build toward my future. It has also reduced a lot of stress for me and my family, allowing me to focus more on school instead of constantly worrying about how to pay for it.

What message would you like to share with the alumni and friends whose generosity made your scholarship possible?

I would like to say thank you to the alumni and friends whose generosity made this scholarship possible. Your support has made a real difference in my life by helping remove financial barriers that would have made attending SNHU impossible. As a veteran and a student, this scholarship gives me the opportunity to focus on my education, work toward my goals, and build a better future for myself and my family. I am truly grateful that you chose to invest in students like me.

Tell us about your journey to and through SNHU. What inspired you to pursue your degree, and what are you most proud of so far?

My journey to SNHU has been about rebuilding and moving forward. I am a veteran, a husband, a father of five, and a first generation college student from Hudson, New Hampshire. For a long time after my military service, I struggled to believe that I deserved a future like this, but eventually I reached a point where I wanted to be healthy again and build a better life for myself and my family.

I chose SNHU because it gave me the flexibility and support I needed to return to school at 42 years old. I am studying machine learning, with the goal of continuing into artificial intelligence at the master’s level. I was inspired to pursue this degree because the world is changing quickly, and I want to be part of the fields that are helping shape what comes next. I also hope to teach at the college level someday, so I can help other students understand these subjects and believe in their own ability to learn.

What I am most proud of so far is simply that I came back and kept going. Returning to school later in life has not always been easy, especially being older than many of the students around me, but it has also reminded me that it is never too late to start again. I am proud that my daughter Ashlyyn is also attending SNHU, and I hope my journey shows my children that growth is always possible. For me, SNHU is not just about earning a degree, it is about getting my life back and building a future with purpose.

How has receiving scholarship support shaped your experience at SNHU or influenced your future plans?

Receiving scholarship support has shaped my experience at SNHU by making it possible for me to focus more fully on being a student. Without scholarships, grants, VA benefits, and federal aid, attending SNHU would not be realistic for me, especially while balancing life as a husband, father of five, veteran, and first generation college student. That support has reduced a lot of financial stress for me and my family, which gives me more room to concentrate on my classes and my long term goals.

It has also influenced my future plans by helping me believe that continuing my education is possible. I am studying machine learning and hope to continue into artificial intelligence at the master’s level, with the goal of eventually teaching at the college level. Scholarship support helps me keep moving toward that future. It reminds me that there are people who believe in students like me, and that makes me want to make the most of the opportunity I have been given.

Has a person, class, or experience at SNHU had a meaningful impact on you? Please share.

The overall experiences at SNHU have all had a meaningful impact on me. The people have made a difference because being around students from different ages and backgrounds has helped me feel like I belong, even as someone returning to school later in life. My classes have pushed me to keep learning and growing, especially as I work toward machine learning and artificial intelligence. The overall experience has reminded me that it is never too late to rebuild, move forward, and create a better future for myself and my family.

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