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The University of North Georgia (ÐÁÓÈÀïÅ®ÓÅ) hosted the annual Senior Military Colleges Conference Sept. 6-8. ÐÁÓÈÀïÅ®ÓÅ is one of six federally designated senior military colleges (SMCs). ÐÁÓÈÀïÅ®ÓÅ partnered with the Association of Military Colleges & Schools of the United States (AMCSUS) to hold the event.

The SMCs also include The Citadel, Norwich University, Texas A&M University, Virginia Military Institute, and Virginia Tech.

"ÐÁÓÈÀïÅ®ÓÅ shares your deep commitment to helping students become successful leaders wherever their journey takes them," ÐÁÓÈÀïÅ®ÓÅ President Bonita C. Jacobs told the conference attendees.

In addition to the SMCs, three other military colleges attended the conference: Tarleton State University, Texas A&M Maritime Academy, and Virginia Women's Institute for Leadership at Mary Baldwin University. Leaders and cadets from the schools visited ÐÁÓÈÀïÅ®ÓÅ's Dahlonega Campus to learn from each other's best practices. Leadership from U.S. Army Cadet Command also attended.

Hosting the SMC Conference coincided with ÐÁÓÈÀïÅ®ÓÅ's Sesquicentennial Celebration. Founded in 1873, ÐÁÓÈÀïÅ®ÓÅ is celebrating 150 years of scholarship, leadership, and service this academic year. The Sesquicentennial Celebration honors ÐÁÓÈÀïÅ®ÓÅ's legacy of producing outstanding civic, professional and military leaders who serve throughout Georgia and beyond.

"The Senior Military College Conference is a great opportunity for us to come together once a year and discuss the similar challenges we face educating future military and civilian leaders," retired Col. Joseph Matthews, ÐÁÓÈÀïÅ®ÓÅ commandant of cadets said.

The directors of each SMC's cyber institute also met throughout the conference to forge plans for the future. They had experts from Army Cyber who spoke about how to become an Army Cyber officer or civilian. Retired Col. Christopher Mitchiner, executive director of ÐÁÓÈÀïÅ®ÓÅ's Institute for Cyber Operations, hosted the group at the new Cottrell Center for Business, Technology & Innovation. 

Cadet Lt. Col. Allyson Smith, a junior from Nashville, Tennessee, pursuing a degree in mathematics, serves as one of ÐÁÓÈÀïÅ®ÓÅ's two battalion commanders for 2022-23. She enjoyed spending a few days learning alongside cadets from other SMCs.

"Although we have common ground, we have many different experiences and backgrounds," Smith said. "Over the three-day conference, all of the cadets created lasting relationships that allow for continued cross-collaboration using our different experiences."

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Col. Byron Stebbins, interim commandant of cadets at Texas A&M University, was at ÐÁÓÈÀïÅ®ÓÅ for the second time and appreciated the chance to be in a familiar setting for the conference.

"It's nice to be able to see what others are doing because we all have our unique way of approaching things with cadets," Stebbins said. "We can take some of these ideas back to our colleges."

Col. Bryan Kirk, ÐÁÓÈÀïÅ®ÓÅ's professor of military science, also gleaned valuable insights at the conference.

"Hosting the SMC Conference at ÐÁÓÈÀïÅ®ÓÅ gave me the opportunity to observe, interact and learn from the different commandants and their key staff," Kirk said. "Understanding their problem-solving approaches and how they dealt with challenges within the context of their educational and training environments provided key insight for me to be able to continue to improve our own programs and systems."

AMCSUS was founded in 1914 and serves as an advocate for the nation's premier military colleges and schools. Retired Air Force Col. Ray Rottman, executive director of AMCSUS, said the conference is a great reminder of the leadership skills the military colleges foster in their students.

"AMCSUS believes that the graduates from these programs, both military and civilian, positively impact their communities, our nation and the world," Rottman said.