
Kaedy Puckett
University of Chicago | Comparative Human Development
Navy | Cryptologic Linguist
About Kaedy:
Hi, I’m Kaedy, and I am proud to represent the University of Chicago as an NSI Associate. I grew up in Huntsville, AL, and worked as a makeup artist prior to joining the U.S. Navy at age 25. I served ten years in the Navy as a Cryptologic Linguist (CTI), Aircrewman, and Instructor. I received my Associate’s in Arabic from the Defense Language Institute then deployed to the Mediterranean and Afghanistan with Special Operations Command, after which I headed to Chicago as an instructor and International Military Training Officer.
I separated in July of 2019 and was selected for a scholarship to the University of Chicago as part of their inaugural veteran cohort. I am an incoming Sophomore —majoring in Comparative Human Development— and I plan to go into human capital strategy or consulting. Prior to matriculation, I attended Warrior-Scholar Project at Syracuse in 2017; Next Step- Transition to Business at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth in 2018; and FourBlock Veteran Transition Program in Chicago in 2018.
I am a founder and President of the UChicago Veteran Scholars League (SVA Chapter) and very passionate about advocating for veterans. I am always more than happy to answer any questions about transition, the VA disability process, vets in higher ed, networking, and life on campus. My boyfriend Jon and I live with our very large, furry dog, Loki, in Chicago. I am an avid plant, makeup, and fashion lover, and in my free time, I love stand-up paddleboarding, camping, and spending time with my family in WY.

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