Institute for Leadership and Strategic Studies Annual Report 1 August 2020 through 31 July 2021 27 August 2021

1. Purpose. This report was prepared in accordance with the University of North Georgia (UNG) policy on Governing Principles and Procedures for Centers and Institutes, 31 October 2017. The format conforms to the information required by the policy.

2. Institute for Leadership and Strategic Studies (ILSS) purpose, vision, and strategic planning.

a. Purpose. The ILSS incubates educational programs and synchronizes the Cadet Military Leadership Program entities to prepare cadets for ethical, adaptive, and innovative leadership as officers in the Total Army, or as leaders in other public or private enterprises and civic organizations for the good of American society. The Cadet Military Leadership Program (the Program) collectively consists of several educational, administrative, and outside entities. The Boar’s Head Brigade is at the heart of the Program and is served by the Office of the Commandant of Cadets, the Office of the Professor of Military Science, the Corps of Cadets Development Office, the Office of Cadet Admissions, the Office of Global Military Programs, and the Institute for Leadership and Strategic Studies. Outside entities include the Corps Advisory Council, the North Georgia Corps of Cadets Association, and the ILSS Advisory Board. Each plays a critical role in preparing the cadets of the Boar’s Head Brigade for leadership in American society. The Program’s primary purpose is to produce leaders for the Total Army; however, any qualified person with private or public service motivation who desires a world-class immersive transformational leadership development experience is welcome to become a cadet. b. Vision. Through 2030, the University of North Georgia Cadet Military Leadership Program will be recognized as one of the nation’s top leadership development programs that is • at the core of what makes UNG the nation’s premier senior military college; • the preferred choice of qualified high school and college students with a propensity for service in the public or private sectors who desire a world-class immersive transformational leadership development experience; • comprised of 850 scholar-athlete-leader cadets, with a wait list of other qualified candidates, who possess the character, talent, and ability to contribute to the public good for American society, and fulfill U.S. national security needs; • enabling UNG to meet the Army’s goals for commissioning second lieutenants; • supported and resourced by UNG, the University System of Georgia, the Total Army, the State of Georgia, the U.S. federal government, cadet alumni, and private entities; • under the coordinating leadership of a former senior Army officer who is a senior member of the UNG president’s cabinet. 27 August 2021 Institute for Leadership and Strategic Studies Annual Report, 1 August 2020 through 31 July 2021

c. Strategic Planning. At the suggestion of the ILSS Advisory Board, the ILSS led an effort in 2020 and 2021to create the first-ever strategic plan for the Cadet Military Leadership Program. The plan was developed in a collaborative fashion with input from all the Program entities’ leaders as well as from selected cadet alumni. The plan carries through the year 2030, and is a living document: adjustments to the plan will be made as time passes and conditions change. The plan consists of four mission essential tasks and 20 related goals with objectives and tactics. The mission essential tasks are: 1. Recruit and Retain 2. Train and Educate 3. Graduate/Commission/Employ 4. Resource 5. Synchronize d. What follows are contributions and information specific to the ILSS.

3. Contributions to the visibility and stature of the university. The ILSS:

a. conducted a symposium on the Implications of the COVID-19 Pandemic on National Security on 7-8 April 2021. The event was open to the public, broadcast on Zoom, recordings of sessions will be posted to the symposium site, and a monograph of symposium proceedings will be published. Symposium partners were UNG’s Security and Strategic Studies Program, the U.S. Army War College Strategic Studies Institute, and the Army Strategist Association. Many academics and practitioners participated as speakers and panelists, and came from the U.S. and several other countries including Australia, Canada, South Africa, Republic of Georgia, and Poland. b. promoted the activities and accomplishments of the Program through bi-monthly updates e-mailed to more than 2,700 influencers, and routinely submitted news and social media story ideas to University Relations throughout the year. c. negotiated a Memorandum of Understanding with the Korean Military Academy for cadet semester exchange. d. submitted recommendations for a cadet alumni for UNG’s Distinguished Alumni award, and two cadet alumni for the national ROTC Hall of Fame. All three received the recognition. e. submitted the nominations for UNG’s awards for the “Most Active Company” and “Best Activities to Enhance the Community” among the 274 Army ROTC programs in the nation by the Association of the U.S Army. f. sustained memberships in the Association of Military Schools and Colleges of the United States, Association of the United States Army, Atlanta Council for International Relations, International Association for Intelligence Educators, Australian Institute of Professional Intelligence Officers, Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association, and the International Military Academic Forum. In addition, collaborated with the Air War College, Army War College Strategic Studies Institute, Army Strategist Association, Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (Hawaii), North Atlantic Treaty Organization Defence College (Italy), North Atlantic Treaty Organization School (Germany), and the School of Applied Military Studies (Italy). g. managed partnerships with foreign military academies in Poland, Taiwan, Hungary, Argentina, Latvia, Republic of Georgia, and South Korea. h. planned, coordinated, and supervised execution of U.S. Air Force Foundation Cyber Patriot programs in three different locations in Northeast Georgia for 44 high school JROTC students from nine high schools in July 2021.

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27 August 2021 Institute for Leadership and Strategic Studies Annual Report, 1 August 2020 through 31 July 2021

4. Contribution to scholarship in the areas in which the ILSS is positioned.

a. Executive Director Keith Antonia, Dr. Billy Wells, and Anthony Fritchle authored an article on Global Military Programs at UNG, which was selected for presentation at the International Association of Military Academies symposium in October 2021 at Norwich University in Vermont. b. Executive Director Keith Antonia submitted an article to the American Educational Research Association based on his dissertation research on first time freshman cadet retention at the University of North Georgia. The submission was accepted and Dr. Antonia presented it during the Association’s April 2021 Virtual Annual Meeting. c. Executive Director Keith Antonia authored a chapter in a book entitled, Handbook of Research on Character and Leadership Development in Military Schools, published in 2021 by IGI Global and edited by Mark Patrick Ryan and Timothy L. Weeks. This project was initiated by the Association of Military Schools and Colleges of America, and the ILSS’s contribution to the project raised UNG’s stature within that organization. d. The UNG Institute for Cyber Operations was established in 2021 as a result of a grant proposal conceived and submitted by the ILSS, which provided the principal investigator who collaborated with the other five U.S. senior military colleges to get language written into the National Defense Authorization Act and to get funding appropriated. The Department of Defense grant is being administered by the National Security Agency, and funding was distributed to all six senior military colleges as a result of the ILSS grant proposal. UNG received more than $1.4 million for federal fiscal year 2021, with possible additional increased funding in following fiscal years. Note that the Institute for Cyber Operations’ predecessor was the Center for Cyber Operations Education, the idea of which was incubated by the ILSS. In fall 2020, sixty-two cadets were majoring in cybersecurity. Through the initial efforts of the ILSS, UNG’s cyber education programs have brought a significant measure of visibility and stature to the institution. e. See para 3.a. regarding the April 2021 symposium. f. The ILSS manages the Crupi Global Leaders’ Scholarship and the George and Carol Olmsted Foundation funds which provide financial incentives to cadets to participate in high impact educational international experiences. g. The Global Military Programs (GMP) directorate within the ILSS creates opportunities in foreign countries for cadets to develop cultural competencies through partnerships with foreign military-related entities. The GMP receives exchange cadets and visiting scholars from foreign military academies, and sends UNG exchange cadets and scholars to foreign military academies. The GMP also coordinates to send UNG and Atlanta-based HBCU cadets to conferences and military training in other countries, and provides military or national security-related internship opportunities in foreign countries. In addition, the GMP hosts an international cadet week for cadets from foreign military academies at UNG/Dahlonega. This year, the opportunities were severely limited due to the pandemic. However, the GMP managed to receive two cadets from the Korean Military Academy, two from the Romanian Land Forces Academy, and two from Taiwan for the spring 2021 semester in the Corps of Cadets at UNG; to send three UNG cadets to military academies in Taiwan in spring 2021; and host two cadets from the Republic of Georgia during the April 2021 symposium (para 3.a.).

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27 August 2021 Institute for Leadership and Strategic Studies Annual Report, 1 August 2020 through 31 July 2021

h. The Director of Federal Liaison and Military Education Coordinator within the ILSS created the following educational opportunities for cadets: (1) During spring semester 2021, arranged for ten cadets desiring to become Army military police officers or majoring in Criminal Justice with a Forensic concentration to participate in an all-day professional development visit to the Defense Forensic Science Center, Fort Gillem, Georgia. (2) During fall semester 2020, created the opportunity for cadets to establish a chapter of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA). It is one of 18 student chapters nationally and one of only two in Georgia. The chapter grew to 30 members by the end of spring semester 2021. (3) Recruited guest speakers from the Intelligence Community (CIA, DIA, FBI, FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit, NSA) and other federal agencies (DHS-HSI, US Secret Service, and DEA) for cadets participating in the National Service Leadership Track. i. The responsibility for publishing the International Journal of Security Studies (IJoSS) was transferred from the UNG Press to the Institute for Leadership and Strategic Studies. After transfer, the ILSS sought to revamp the journal by significantly improving the administrative functions and software making it much more “user-friendly” for authors and peer reviewers; by adding options to submit book reviews, focus articles, and practice and perspectives articles in addition to scholarly articles for peer review; and by dramatically increasing the list of potential peer reviewers. Therefore, & Practice was added to the title of the publication. The improved International Journal of Security Studies & Practice will go into publication in fall 2021. From August 2020 through July 2021, there were 7,037 article downloads from 130 different countries.

5. Involvement of faculty and students, including the names and disciplines of those who participate. All Cadet Military Leadership Program cadets, faculty, staff, and administrators are involved and/or are beneficiaries of the activities of the ILSS. Additionally, students, faculty, and staff who are not part of the Program have benefitted, and will continue to do so.

6. ILSS Funding and resources. The ILSS was allocated FY21 funding from UNG’s Educational and General Support Funds (E&G), funds from the UNG Foundation, calendar year funds from the George and Carol Olmsted Foundation, the Crupi Global Leaders’ Scholarship, and indirect funds that rollover from FY to FY from the DoD Cyber Institute grant, which will be allocated in increments for a total $115,219.40 over the life of the Cyber Institute grant.

a. ILSS E&G FY21 allocations:

$31,000 travel. Cut to $20,894 due to pandemic. $5,500 operating supplies. Cut to $3,707 due to pandemic. $398,004 personal services. No cut due to pandemic.

Travel and operating supplies funds were transferred from ILSS to its parent unit, the Division of Leadership and Global Engagement to facilitate efficiency. Travel in FY21 was severely limited due to the pandemic. Therefore, ILSS funds were used for advertising the Cadet Military Leadership Program in Army Magazine in April, May, June, and July (additional funding from University Relations enabled an August issue ad). The amount spent was $23,091. The remaining $1,510 was allocated toward construction of a physical fitness equipment storage facility and leg tuck bars for the Program.

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27 August 2021 Institute for Leadership and Strategic Studies Annual Report, 1 August 2020 through 31 July 2021

b. UNG Foundation allocations:

$42,746 International Cadet Scholarship Fund ($30,000 for FY21 and the remaining rolled over from FY20). We spent $23,208 in FY21: (1) Funding for Korean and Romanian cadets room and board for spring 2021 at $20,308. (2) Funding for books and supplies for Korean Military Academy and Romanian Land Forces Academy cadets for SP 2021 for $1,375.61. (3) Travel for a cadet from the Republic of Georgia to attend the symposium in April 2021 for $1,525 (see para 3.a.).

c. $34,608 Olmsted Foundation for calendar year 2020:

We spent $17,887 in 2020 for travel for cadets to Poland, Japan, Romania, and France. Due to pandemic travel restrictions, we were unable to spend the remaining amount; however, the Olmsted Foundation granted ILSS an additional $26,000 for calendar year 2021: $20K which is to be used by UNG cadets, and $6,000 for cadets from Historically Black Colleges and Universities in Atlanta--Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and/or Spelman College. Each has Army ROTC cadets that fall under the Georgia State University Professor of Military Science for military science instruction and Army officer commissioning. See Encl 1, annual report to the Olmsted Foundation.

d. $40,000 Crupi Global Leaders’ Scholarship.

We awarded two UNG cadets a total of $4,000 ($2,000 per cadet) to travel for semester exchange programs with the Republic of China Military Academy and the Fu Hsing Kang College in Taiwan in spring 2021. We awarded $2,000 to a UNG cadet for a semester exchange to the Korean Military Academy in fall 2021.

e. $3,231 DoD Cyber Institute Grant indirects. No funds were expended in FY21.

7. Ability to utilize the Institute's advisory board to enhance and expand the units' activities.

The ILSS Advisory Board met twice during the reporting period: 30 October 2020 and 26 February 2021. The ILSS maintains minutes from advisory board meetings. The ILSS facilitated the recruitment of two new ILSS Advisory Board members whose duties include expanding the network of contacts to allow the continued development of innovative educational opportunities for cadets and strategically and proactively advocating for the interests of the ILSS and the Program.

8. Reports of any obstacles encountered and the actions taken to overcome these obstacles, or the reason they were not solved.

The primary obstacle that the ILSS has consistently encountered since the inception of the ILSS in fall of 2016 is the organization of the Cadet Military Leadership Program’s entities. A major function of the ILSS is to synchronize the entities, which include the Corps of Cadets, the offices of the Commandant of Cadets, Professor of Military Science, Cadet Admissions, Global Military Programs,

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27 August 2021 Institute for Leadership and Strategic Studies Annual Report, 1 August 2020 through 31 July 2021

Corps of Cadets Development, and Federal Liaison and Military Education. The organization is depicted here:

The Program’s entities are shaded in beige, and various Program entities report through four different vice presidents. This arrangement creates barriers to the most efficient and effective communication and collaboration possible. Reorganizing the entities under a structure depicted below would reduce these barriers and result in more effectively accomplishing the entire Cadet Military Leadership Program’s strategic plan.

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27 August 2021 Institute for Leadership and Strategic Studies Annual Report, 1 August 2020 through 31 July 2021

9. Contact. The author of this report is Dr. Keith Antonia, Associate Vice President for Military Programs and Executive Director for the Institute for Leadership and Strategic Studies at 706 867- 4576 or [email protected].

Enclosed:

UNG 2020 Olmsted Annual Report

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Enclosure 1

Ski Patrol Competition Report

Enclosure 1 (Military University of Land Forces Ski Patrol Competition, March 2020)

1. Trip description.

The annual Military University of Land Forces (MULF) Ski Patrol Competition is hosted by the General Tadeusz Kosciusko University of Land Forces located in Wroclaw, Poland. The 36 hour event takes place in the Szklarska Poreba in the Jizera Mountains of Southwest Poland. 4-man Teams compete in a variety of events over a 40 kilometer course while on cross-country skis. Participants include International Cadets and professional soldiers across Europe including Special Operations Forces and Mountain Units.

The University of North Georgia sent one 4-man team consisting of the following Cadets: Garrett Wilson, Nicholas Goodwin, Derek Whitmore and Ian Bryan. SFC (ret.) Chris Cato the Operations NCO for UNG was the Team Captain and accompanied the team to Poland. All UNG participants are going to commission in the Infantry on Active Duty. The following is the trip report compiled by SFC Cato:

Overview The Military Ski Patrol (MSP) is an international challenge hosted by the General Tadeusz Kościuszko Military University of Land Forces (MULF) held in Szklarska Poręba, Poland from 24- 28 February 2020. This challenge consisted of 17 four person teams. The course spanned over approximately 60 km of mountainous terrain and lasted two and a half days in duration. Teams were required to execute numerous tasks along the route of march. These events consisted of, but were not limited to, land navigation, crevasse rescue, downhill skiing, building of a snow shelter, basic survival techniques, live fire shooting with small arms, Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC), avalanche search and rescue, various mountaineering tasks, and evacuation of a casualty in a mountainous environment. The majority of the route was covered on skis with the addition of “skins” to facilitate cross-country movement. This is the second time that UNG has participated in the MSP. Each time, the team becomes more proficient in tasks and learns valuable lessons. The challenge is located in mountainous terrain and exposes the team to operations in winter alpine conditions. This provides our Cadets with experiences that will serve them for a lifetime. Operating for several days in this environment exposes the Cadets to the many difficulties faced in winter warfare. Gaining these experiences will often take active duty Soldiers years to obtain.

Itinerary Saturday, 22 FEB: Team departs UNG for Poland Sunday, 23 FEB: Team arrives in Wroclaw, Poland and is transported to hotel in Szklarska Poręba by MULF cadre. Team occupied rooms, drew remaining equipment from MULF training facility and received rented ski gear. Prepared for training area recon. Monday, 24 FEB: Team conducted partial training area recon with other teams and MULF Cadets. During this, one of our Cadets lost his sleeping pad and water source. These items were replaced by MULF. Team leaders and captains (MLC cadre) received technical briefing/overview of challenge and safety considerations. Each team was required to have a cell phone with the mountain rescue application downloaded as a safety requirement. Our team was not able to do this, despite carrying a mobile hot-spot, due to none of our Cadets having an international plan on their phones. This will be covered in future recommendations. Tuesday, 25 FEB: Team began challenge at approximately 0730. Day one movement was 23.5 km in distance. UNG’s team became disorientated and added approximately 5-8 km to their movement. Events consisted of timed movement on skis, crevasse rescue, slalom, land navigation, basic survival (building a fire with flint and steel), and constructing a snow shelter. Team closed on patrol base area at approximately 0200 26 FEB.

Wednesday, 26 FEB: Team began day two movement at approximately 0830. Day two movement was 22.5 km. Again, the team had issues with land navigation and added several kilometers to their movement. Events consisted of grenade throwing, live fire with pistol and rifle, TCCC, land navigation, casualty evacuation in a mountainous environment on skis (with SKEDCO and on improvised toboggan), and constructing a snow shelter. Team again did not arrive to their patrol base until after midnight. Thursday, 27 FEB: Team began movement at approximately 0800 and was required to travel an estimated 13 km. Events this day were all mountaineering focused. Teams constructed a one rope bridge, multi-pitch rappel, rescue of an unconscious casualty on rappel, Z-pulley system to move a vehicle, zip-line transition to rappel and rope bridge, and a Via Ferrata. Team completed challenge around 1430. Once tame returned to hotel, recovery operations began and MULF/ski equipment was turned in. Friday, 28 FEB: Awards ceremony held at hotel. Team was then moved to MULF’s mountain training facility after checking out of the hotel. Team was able to see the town of Szklarska Poręba. Saturday, 29 FEB: Team moved to MULF and prepared to depart for U.S. the following day. Cadets spent time with Polish Cadets they met from the MSP challenge. Sunday, 1 MAR: Team returned to UNG. Connection flight was very close.

Recommendations To begin, I suggest that this opportunity for our Cadets continues and is fully supported. Cadets who participate in the MSP gain immeasurable experiences that will serve them throughout their military career and their life. This competition pushes Cadets harder than they have ever been pushed, therefore showing them that they can overcome both physical and mental adversity. Our Cadets are exponentially more confident in their ability to accomplish difficult tasks now. Identify team as soon as UNG receives and accepts invitation to MSP. Training should begin immediately and be supported by the university. Fund training trips for the team to practice skiing. Ski skins should be purchased to provide the team time to train with. Both teams who have attended MSP had to learn the day before the competition began. Sustain and maintain support from 5th RTB. Using the mountaineering equipment provided by the mountaineering department at Camp Merrill was greatly beneficial. Some of this equipment could possibly be purchased by the university for Cadets to use and train with. Sustain the purchase of alpine mountaineering and other MSP specific equipment. The team needs a better sleep system (compresses smaller, lighter, and dries quicker). Need to replace damaged and lost equipment. Team is required to have a minimum of one cell phone for communication during the competition. MULF requires a minimum of one cell phone to have the mountain rescue app downloaded and running for safety. Despite having a mobile hot spot, the team was not able to follow this safety requirement and had to borrow a MULF cadre member’s cell phone during the challenge.

To: Assistant Director Global Military Programs From: Cadet Nick Goodwin Subject: Polish Ski Patrol

My name is Cadet Nick Goodwin; I currently serve as Cadet Company Commander with the Boars Head Brigade at the University of North Georgia. I recently attended the Polish Ski Patrol Competition this past spring sponsored by the Military University of Land Forces in Wroclaw, Poland.

I can say without a doubt that this was the most physically demanding event I have ever completed. I have never endured such harsh environmental conditions, and physical exhaustion. The tasks we completed challenged our physical and leadership abilities. I now realize how important effective communication is and being a team player in order to complete the mission. I will take the knowledge learned and apply it while leading my Soldiers in the future.

I appreciate the honor of representing UNG and the Corps of Cadets during this international competition. I personally enjoyed working around international Cadets and Soldiers, although there was a language barrier we still learned from one another.

I would like to thank the Olmsted Foundation for sponsoring our trip. My teammates and I appreciate the support and trust given to us during our trip to Poland. We learned many lessons that will allow us to become better officers and leaders.

Respectfully Submitted,

Cadet Nick Goodwin To: Assistant Director for Global Military Programs From: Cadet Derek Whitmore Subject: Polish Ski Patrol

My name is Cadet Derek Whitmore, I currently serve as a Platoon Leader with the Boars Head Brigade of the University of North Georgia. I was proud to represent our University, the Corps of Cadets and more importantly the United States Army during the Spring 2020 Polish Ski Patrol Competition hosted by the Military University of Land Forces in Wroclaw Poland.

The opportunity to compete in an International Competition was one of my greatest accomplishments. I learned so much about myself especially while enduring extreme physical exhaustion and weather conditions that I have never experienced. Our team struggled many times, but we never quit and completed all tasks throughout the 36-hour event.

I know my teammates and I will remember how we learned to lean on each other to complete the competition. As a future leader I know I must lead from the front during difficult times. It was an honor to compete against International Cadets and European Special Operations forces. Our team gained extensive knowledge of small-unit operations in a winter environment while negotiating difficult terrain on ski’s.

I would like to personally thank the Olmsted Foundation for supporting our team and hope this can occur in the future as well. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity and know I will be a better leader and officer during my career.

Sincerely Submitted,

Cadet Derek Whitmore

To: Assistant Director Global Military Programs From: Cadet Ian Bryan Subject: Polish Ski Patrol

My name is Cadet Ian Bryan, I had the opportunity to participate in the Polish Ski Patrol in Wroclaw Poland this past Spring. I was a member of a 4-man team that competed against 20 other teams consisting of International Cadets and teams from Special Operations units throughout Europe.

I must admit the competition was one of the most challenging physical events I have ever endured. Our team did not win the competition, but we completed all tasks many of which we had limited knowledge of including downhill and cross-country skiing. The fact our team lives in a climate that normally has little snow we were challenged to the upmost degree.

Our team gained valuable lessons about our leadership during the competition. We learned teamwork, effective communication, and personal sacrifice. I know lessons learned during the competition will make us better officers. We leaned on one another even to the point of quitting the event. We pulled ourselves together and completed all tasks.

I want to thank the Olmsted Foundation for supporting our team and sincerely hope Olmsted will continue to support UNG Cadets in the future. Working alongside international Soldiers and Cadets is vital to our growth and our future. We had the opportunity to interact with professional Special Operations forces and other international Soldiers.

Thank you again for allowing our team to participate in this event. I would not hesitate to promote this event for my subordinates in the future. Lessons gained during mutual hardship will help us to understand our Soldiers and our own limitations.

Sincerely Submitted,

Cadet Ian Bryan

To: Global Military Program Assistant Director From: Cadet Garrett Wilson Subject: Polish Ski Patrol Testimonial

My name is Cadet Garrett Wilson; I currently serve as the 2nd Battalion Commander of the Boars Head Brigade. This past Spring I had the opportunity to lead a 4-man team during the Polish Ski Patrol Competition hosted by the Military University of Land Forces in Wroclaw Poland.

This is the second time I was able to attend the competition. I can honestly say the competition was one of the most challenging events I ever participated in including Ranger Challenge. I learned to overcome not only the physical challenge but also leadership and environmental challenges.

Cadets who participated in this event taught us teamwork, effective communication and leadership. All of us reached our physical limits including overcoming severe environmental conditions and personal limitations.

I personally feel events like these are essential for Cadet professional development. The leadership challenges we each faced will make us better officers and taught us valuable tools for our future.

I would like to personally thank the Olmsted foundation for sponsoring our trip. I hope in the future the Olmsted foundation will continue to sponsor Cadet international travel especially events that develop our leadership and both physical growth.

Respectfully submitted,

Garrett Wilson

Enclosure 2

Potential Olmsted-funded Trips for 2021

Enclosure 3

January 2020 UNG News Article

Olmsted Foundation increases grant to UNG, HBCUs for overseas immersion

January 17, 2020 by Clark Leonard

The 2019 Olmsted Foundation grant to UNG and HBCUs that are part of Georgia State University ROTC funded trips such as when UNG faculty member Tamirat Abegaz, UNG cadet Ayomide Adekola, Spelman College cadet Myranda Duhart and UNG cadet Tomas King attended the NATO Cyber Conference in May.

The University of North Georgia (UNG) has received additional funding for overseas cultural immersion trips for its cadets and cadets from historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

The Olmsted Foundation increased its annual grant for UNG cadets from $20,000 to 25,000 for calendar year 2020 and upped the grant for HBCU cadets with Georgia State University ROTC from $6,000 to $7,500.

"This is all part of professional development and talent management for our cadets," said Keith Antonia, associate vice president for military programs. "We want to expand our students' global competencies, whether they become Army officers or serve as leaders in other sectors of American society following graduation."

Retired Army Col. Mark Elfendahl, vice president of the Olmsted Foundation, said the foundation has been impressed with how UNG has used previous grants.

"We are very appreciative of the types of activities that UNG has been conducting and the overseas learning and exposure it's been giving to those young cadets who are preparing to be commissioned as officers in the Army," Elfendahl said. "It will help them be better leaders of soldiers."

UNG is one of four senior military colleges to receive Olmsted Foundation funds for overseas immersion experiences. It is the only senior military college to receive additional funding for the outreach that pairs HBCU cadets with UNG cadets on some of the trips.

The Olmsted Foundation, UNG and Georgia State ROTC in November 2018 entered an agreement for cadets from HBCUs Morehouse College, Spelman College, and Clark Atlanta University to be part of these overseas trips, which typically last one to three weeks. Cadets from those three schools participate in Georgia State's ROTC program. Lt. Col. Donald Harris, professor of military science at Georgia State University, particularly appreciates the money earmarked for HBCU students who otherwise may not have the chance to go overseas while in college. He said he didn't leave the country until he was an Army captain, and even then, it was for vacation.

"To have the opportunity to do it as a cadet is outstanding," Harris said. "It helps round out their experience in ROTC and equip them better once they're commissioned."

Elfendahl praised the partnership that benefits HBCU cadets.

"The work UNG and Georgia State have already done together is something our board respects and appreciates. And it's absolutely in line with the intent of the board members when they established the program," Elfendahl said. "This partnership is growing and achieving exactly what it was intended to do."

UNG cadets Robert Flynn, left, and Christopher Cobb, right, attended the May 2019 International Cadet Conference in Turin, Italy, thanks to the 2019 Olmsted Foundation grant UNG received.

UNG received a $10,000 grant from the Olmsted Foundation in 2017 and a $20,000 grant in 2018. The 2019 grant, the first to include the money for HBCU cadets, increased to $26,000, and the 2020 total is $32,500. Through the end of 2019, 27 UNG cadets and three HBCU cadets have been part of the overseas immersions.

Thanks to the Olmsted grant, cadets Garrett Wilson, Derek Whitmore and Nick Goodwin will represent UNG in the "Military Ski Patrol" international competition set for late February in Poland. Wilson participated in the event as a freshman and is thankful to return. We're able to have a fascinating experience and great Army training and work side by side with several other European militaries," said Wilson, a junior from Lawrenceville, Georgia, pursuing a marketing degree.

Goodwin, a junior from Clyde, North Carolina, pursuing a criminal justice degree, looks forward to the chance to learn from others. "It's a good opportunity to share knowledge with allies," Goodwin said. "We're able to trade ideas and experiences." Enclosure 4

Spring/Summer 2020 UNG News Magazine Article