When Cecilia Vicil Deynes applied to the Defense Comptrollership Program (DCP), she had doubts about whether she belonged. With a psychology degree from the University of Puerto Rico and limited academic experience in business or public administration, she wasn’t sure she could keep up.  

“I feared I would not do well in this program because I lacked the academic background,” she says. “Ultimately, it was the trust and validation from all my supervisors and peers that gave me the confidence to take a leap and pursue the DCP.”  

That leap paid off. Vicil graduated in July with an MBA from the Whitman School of Management and an executive master’s of public administration from The Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. She also finished in the top 5 in her class, earning induction into Beta Gamma Sigma, the international business honor society.  

“Honestly, the proudest moment was graduating in the top 5,” she says. “I worked hard and proved to myself that I did belong.”  

Throughout the 14-month program, Vicil took on unofficial leadership roles in group projects and peer study sessions. She helped organize shared resources, led discussions and offered support to classmates. “I naturally gravitate toward helping others succeed,” she says. “I found fulfillment in being a reliable source of support for my classmates.”  

That sense of community became a defining aspect of her experience.  

“It truly felt like a family,” she says. “We laughed, stressed and celebrated together. Even though we were technically competing, we still supported one another so we could all succeed and graduate together.”  

The coursework was demanding, especially given that English is not her first language and most of her professional experience as a military budget analyst didn’t directly align with the classroom material. Still, she embraced every challenge.  

“Some professors, like Professor Kivanc Avreneli, motivated me to dive into Python because he made it seem so easy and efficient,” she says. “Professor Steven Lux taught me to look at a problem not just from two points of view, but through four different frames—a skill that will be valuable in leadership positions.”  

While most of her focus was on school, Vicil found moments to recharge through dance, winery visits and learning how to make wine, mead and pastries. Her dog, Hera, played an especially important role in keeping her grounded.  

“During those extra stressful days, when I didn’t even know where to begin studying, Hera always had a way of easing my anxiety,” she says.  

Now graduated, Vicil will continue serving in the U.S. Army as an Active Guard Reserve soldier. She will be stationed in Germany with the 7th Mission Support Command (MSC) as a senior financial analyst and is also pursuing a commission as an officer.  

Reflecting on her journey, Vicil is full of gratitude for the faculty and staff, the supportive classmates and the opportunity to grow.  

“I have deep gratitude for Director of the Defense Program Thomas A. Constable, Academic Coordinator Rebecca C. Lloyd, Associate Director of Defense Programs John G. Dean and Professor Karen Kukla for their patience and support throughout the program — for the professors who believed in me, for the classmates who became lifelong friends and for the chance to prove to myself that I belonged here,” she says.  

By Bo BenYehuda