Student Spotlight: Tyler Lease

When people talk about grit and resilience, it often sounds like a highlight reel — a feel-good montage where the setbacks are brief and the achievements are grand. But in reality, grit is much quieter. It’s about showing up, again and again, when the progress is slow, the load is heavy, and the finish line is out of sight.

For me, that journey started earlier than most. Growing up, I was fortunate to have a support system at home that encouraged me to pursue higher education, even before I had completed high school. So right before my 19th birthday, when most of my peers were just starting college, I walked across the stage with my associate’s degree.

But while college was a non-negotiable for me, the route I chose was far from traditional. A few months before completing my associate’s, I enlisted in the US Army, where I served for over six years. I felt that the military would shape me in ways that a classroom couldn’t. And it did. It taught me structure, accountability, and how to persevere even when I was unsure of what comes next. I carried those lessons into everything that followed: college, work, and life.

While serving in the Army Reserves, I began attending Michigan State University to pursue my bachelor’s degree in political science. After years of structure, I was suddenly thrust into a world where I was navigating tuition, class schedules, and paperwork. All of it was entirely on me. Like many others, I didn’t have the luxury of focusing on school alone. I was taking seven classes at once, attending lectures, writing papers, and studying for exams, while working the night shift full time at Home Depot, stocking shelves from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. It was overwhelming, but I kept going.

After finishing my bachelor’s, I jumped into a master’s degree in science and administration. I wanted to build on what I’d learned and grow into someone who could lead — not just in politics, but in business, strategy, and operations. From undergrad to grad school, I never took a break. I worked and studied year-round, knowing that every credit earned brought me closer to the life I wanted for myself.

People often asked why I didn’t slow down, take fewer classes, work fewer hours, or give myself more time. But for me, stepping back was never an option. Since I was a kid, I’ve been wired to always push myself to go further. I knew that if I put in the work early — whether finishing school, serving in the military, or working long hours — I could build the life I wanted later.

That said, this isn’t necessarily the right path for everyone. There’s no universal blueprint for success, and grit doesn’t always mean doing everything fast. It just means doing what it takes, consistently, even when no one’s watching. What matters is being honest about your “why” — what motivates you, what you’re working toward — and using that to fuel your momentum.

I was fortunate. The military helped cover my tuition, and I was able to work full-time for an employer that supported my education. But despite all those advantages, I graduated with significant student debt that I’m still paying off today. And I know that for many people, the cost of college is a nonstarter.

That’s the reality we need to talk about more. I chose to share my story to remind students that grit doesn’t always guarantee opportunity, and resilience doesn’t mean the system isn’t working against you. But even in the face of those barriers, I still believe in the power of persistence. I believe in betting on yourself. And I believe that if you stay focused on your goals, even when the road is long and the progress is slow, you’ll get where you’re meant to go.