CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Mia Watson has always thrived where challenge meets opportunity. As a senior volleyball player at The Citadel and the newly appointed Delta Company Commander in First Battalion, she now balances the demands of athletics and leadership, a dual responsibility she embraces with purpose.
 
When Mia first set her sights on a company commander role, she didn't get to choose where she'd serve. Still, she knew exactly where she wanted to be.

"I really wanted to go into First Battalion," Watson said. "They were super supportive, had a family mindset, and worked together really well."

That sense of community, she explained, made all the difference as she stepped into one of the Corps' most visible student leadership positions.
 
For Watson, leading Delta Company is more than just a title; it's about commitment.

"It means accepting responsibility," she explained. "Serving those above and below me, making sacrifices -- whether in time or effort -- to help others improve each day."

 
 
The People Who Shaped Her
 
Watson's leadership style didn't develop overnight. She credits much of it to the two people who know her best.

"My parents have always been there for me," Watson said. "My mom gives me the emotional perspective, and my dad gives me the logical one. They've helped me through every struggle and every success."
 
She said their steady guidance made The Citadel feel like the right fit from the beginning, a place where she could play the sport she loves and grow as a leader.

"They thought The Citadel was a good fit because I could play volleyball and build my leadership skills," Watson added.

Over time, those skills have become a cornerstone of who she is, both on the court and in the Corps.

 
The Weight of Command
 
With the arrival of a new class of freshmen, Watson's focus has shifted to accountability and standards.

"The well-being of the entire company is important, but right now I'm taking it one step at a time with the freshmen," she said. "Teaching the standard and holding people accountable, that's one of the hardest parts."
 
Watson has learned that accountability often requires difficult conversations.

"You have to be able to tell someone they're doing a good job or that they're not," she recounted. "You don't know how people will react, and you have to be pretty confrontational when you do."

Fortunately, the skill was one she's developed over four years on the volleyball team, and now she puts it to daily use.

 
 
Leadership on the Court
 
Watson sees a clear link between her athletic experience and her responsibilities as a commander.

"Volleyball has prepared me for this," she said. "I'm not afraid of confrontation anymore. People can bring me a problem, and I'll find a solution."

She's also become a vocal leader for the Bulldogs.

"I'll be the loudest person on the court," Watson continued. "I want to be a vocal leader — say productive things, use people's names, and push others to become better versions of themselves."
 
That mindset, she said, was inspired by the leaders who came before her.

"I remember watching Jaelynn Elgert, Mackenzie Martin, Ali Ruffin and Belle Hogan be such good leaders," she noted. "I wanted to be one, too."

Now, as a senior, Watson sets the tone.

 
Eyes on the Season
 
With the season opener approaching on Aug. 28, Watson remains confident in her team's readiness.

"Everything's going great," she said. "It's physically demanding, but it's making us better. We'll likely be more physically prepared than other teams and able to push through when it matters."
 
She's especially enthusiastic about an upcoming milestone moment -- The Citadel's first home tournament since 2017.

"I'm really excited for that," she added. "It's nice to travel and see other teams, but inviting someone into our home — that's special. People will come out to support us, and other teams will get to see how we live on campus."
 
Whether she's leading Delta Company or rallying her teammates, Watson's goal remains the same: to help those around her become their best.

"I want to make people better every single day," she concluded.