03-07-2025
Brains, Beauty, Brawn, and a Bold Mission: Meet Your New Role Model
When Alma Cooper was named Miss Michigan USA and later crowned with the national title in 2024, the 23-year-old Michigan native had already stacked up an impressive list of accomplishments. She's a West Point graduate who finished in the top 5 percent of her class, an active-duty U.S. Army soldier serving as a 35A Military Intelligence Officer assigned to the U.S. Army Recruiting Command—as well as a youth-outreach ambassador—and a Knight-Hennessy scholar at Stanford University, where she's studying for a master of science degree in data and analytics to power her national platform's mission of combatting food security.
But developing that level of drive and purpose doesn't happen overnight.
Ready to adopt some of Cooper's mindset to be all you can be? Here are four principles that keep her on track.
For Cooper, the first step to pursuing your dreams is to find your "why." Knowing what you value most is what will help keep you going when you feel overwhelmed or doubt creeps in. When you know your "why," and you keep fueling that purpose with the people, environments, and passions that align with your goals, your dreams start to take shape.
Cooper has built an impressive resume—both in and out of her Army uniform. Through every one of her endeavors, service has been her driving force—always considering how to better herself and make a difference for those around her.
She credits her family with first instilling this value of service—a value that would be esteemed and fostered well in the Army, where service is a cornerstone. Between her father's service in the U.S. Army for more than two decades, her mother's compassionate commitment to educating young students, and her sister who has special needs, Cooper was surrounded by selfless acts from a young age. "In my household, being selfless is a core principle," recounts Cooper.
As she was growing up, Cooper observed military life through her father's successful career in the Army, but she didn't consider it as an option for herself until her mother signed her up for summer camp at West Point when she was 16. That's when she realized the Army offered much more than she realized. "From the moment I stepped on campus, I saw that West Point is focused on service, and that resonated with me," she recalls. "Thanks to the mentors there, I knew I'd be challenged."
Cooper was always inspired by her parents' dedication to their work and creating the best opportunities for themselves and their family's future. She saw their resilience and decided to step out of her comfort zone and position herself in a completely new, demanding environment. "In the end, that's going to develop your character, and you're going to learn far more about yourself," she says.
Following her summer camp experience, Cooper only applied to West Point for her post-high school education—confident it was the best place for her and her future. "I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself and who I am as an individual. I knew I'd walk out a better young woman."
Once at West Point, Cooper didn't shy away from obstacles. Math hadn't come easily in school, but she loved telling stories through numbers, so she chose mathematical science as her major. She had a clear vision for where her education could take her, guided by her dad's constant reminder: "Get comfortable with being uncomfortable."
Cooper's family surrounded her with examples of perseverance. "In my household ... there is a sense of resilience." At 14, Cooper developed an interest in pageants from her mother who competed herself as a young woman but lacked the resources to go far. "In the stories my parents tell about growing up—for instance, my mom experienced food insecurity, which is why I'm dedicated to that issue [today]—they've been so resilient in the pursuit of their dreams. It's easy to be inspired by that."
In the Army, Cooper has received similar encouragement from other soldiers, such as her mentor Col. Julia O. Coxen. Their guidance is what inspired her to be a leader herself—not just in her career, but in other aspects of her life. As Cooper approached her graduation from West Point, it was Coxen who told Cooper to consider applying to Knight-Hennessy Scholars at Stanford University. Typically, soldiers graduate from West Point and go straight into operational Army, but Coxen saw Cooper's potential for this unique opportunity. She told Cooper to not be the first person to say no to herself—and it's a good thing she didn't. Cooper was awarded the opportunity to become a scholar and continued her mathematics studies in data science and furthering research on nutrition and food insecurity.
"There is such power in contributing to an organization that's bigger than yourself, and in finding cohesion and commonalities," she says. "That's true with the Army and also with any type of workplace or group. At the end of the day, having mentors and role models helps you evolve and develop the growth mindset that's needed to take you to the best version of yourself."
Today Cooper is using her recognition as a reigning national pageant queen to represent the Army at high schools across the country to inspire young students and show them all you can achieve while serving your country.
Cooper has a personal motto, "If you see me, you can be me." She's determined to lead as an example to others—as many before her have done—and to share her roadmap to chasing your dreams. "When you identify causes that you care about, and you're willing to work toward uplifting those around you, that makes an incredible impact," she says.
Her platform is also helping her put her studies and research into action, bringing awareness to food insecurity around the nation.
Even as she works towards finishing grad school and her reign comes to a close, she continues to hit the gas pedal. One peek at her social media channels and you'll see Cooper is once again leaning into her passions and setting up her next challenge: Running all the major marathons around the world. By combining her love for doing hard things with her passion for nutrition and wellness, Cooper's growing interest in running proves she will continue to set the bar high for herself. "You can live a far more fulfilling life when you show up and bring your full self into every situation," she says.
Still in her early 20's, Cooper is just getting started. She believes that the only limits you face are the ones you put on yourself, so it's unlikely she will let up anytime soon. "Personally, I know what it feels like when I'm holding back," she says. "That's when I come back to the basics of resilience, service, and passion. That's how you can chase your dreams."
