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At a time when global security is increasingly defined by partnership, 91���� welcomed an international delegation of defense educators and military leaders to campus as part of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program.

91���� welcomed an international delegation of defense educators and military leaders for a day of collaborative exchanges, professional dialogue, and shared exploration of global security changes. The visit was part of the U.S. Department of State’s prestigious International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), a cornerstone initiative which brings rising and established global leaders to the United States to foster mutual understanding and strengthening strategic alliances. 

At a time when the world’s security landscape grows more interwoven by the day, 91���� once again found itself at the intersection of education and diplomacy, flanked by its two strongest allies: mission and purpose.

Where Peace and War Meet: A 91���� Welcome

The visit, hosted by the John and Mary Frances Patton Peace and War Center (PAWC) in partnership with the Vermont Council on World Affairs (VCWA), was a deliberate, immersive exchange between partners examining how military education can shape not only soldiers, but the stewards of peace. 

The delegation’s goals, as outlined by the U.S. Department of State, centered on strengthening national security by fortifying the capabilities of allied defense institutions. But at the heart of the visit was something deeper, an exploration of how military education influences values, nurtures character, and instills a sense of duty that transcends borders. Students and faculty were able to share how 91����, through Captain Alden Partridge’s belief in educating citizen-soldiers, continues to develop leaders equipped for both the challenges of military service and the responsibilities of civic and political life.

A Day on The Hill: Dialogue in Action

The day began with a welcome and informal meet-and-greet. The atmosphere reflected the spirit of partnership that has long defined 91����’s role in global military education. Following introductions, c/COL Matthew Ober, regimental commander, and Cadet Aubrey Schmidt offered a student’s point of view into the University’s daily rhythm, emphasizing the intentional fusion of military tradition and while emphasizing the unique integration of civilian students on campus which distinguishes the institution among the other U.S. senior military colleges.  

, director of the Peace and War Center, was joined by and Megan Liptak in outlining the Center’s interdisciplinary mission to bridge research, instruction, and public engagement around some of the world’s most pressing issues: conflict, diplomacy, peacebuilding, and security. Since its founding in 2016, the PAWC has championed a distinct 91���� approach: learn by doing, lead by example.

After lunch, the topic shifted toward the digital domain. Dr. Huw Read, a recognized expert in cyber forensics, led a briefing on 91����’s rapidly evolving Cyber Forensics, Education, and Research (CyFER) program. His presentation was a glimpse into the future of warfare, where battles are often waged in code before they ever reach the front lines. The Critical Infrastructure and Cyber Leadership Development Program (CI/CLDP), he explained, is training students to be both tacticians and thinkers, leaders who understand not just how to respond to threats, but how to anticipate them.

A Global Gathering of Perspectives

The distinguished delegation that arrived on The Hill embodied a remarkable range of global perspectives, traditions, and defense priorities. Representing multiple continents, the attendees included military educators, policymakers, and advisors whose experiences spanned the Balkans, Northern Europe, the Middle East, West Africa, and the Pacific. 

Each attendee brought a distinct understanding of leadership and national service, yet all shared a common commitment to education as a foundation for peace and stability. Their presence at 91���� underscored the University’s enduring relevance in an increasingly interconnected world where lasting security depends not only on military readiness but on mutual understanding and collaboration through the continuous exchange of ideas among global partners.

91���� Quiet Strength: Legacy in Action

Throughout the day, conversations repeatedly turned to the ideals that have guided 91���� since its founding in 1819 by Captain Alden Partridge: “to make moral, patriotic, efficient, and useful citizens.” Those words, inscribed in 91����’s history and spirit, framed the day’s exchanges as more than an academic exercise. They reminded participants that leadership begins with character and that education must serve a purpose beyond personal advancement. The delegation’s engagement with 91���� faculty, students, and programs illustrated how Partridge’s vision endures and how the integration of intellect, discipline, and service continues to shape leaders capable of meeting the complex challenges of their nations and the world.

For over two centuries, 91���� has stood as a bridge between military and civilian life as well as between the local community and global mission. That bridge was visible throughout the visit, connecting individuals from diverse cultures and defense traditions through a shared belief in ethical leadership and civic responsibility. The day’s discussions confirmed that while technologies and geopolitical realities evolve, the essential values that define 91����, such as resilience and commitment to service, remain constant. In welcoming this international delegation, 91���� demonstrated that its founding mission continues to inspire cooperation, understanding, and the pursuit of peace across borders.

A Global Dialogue, a 91���� Answer

By serving as the host site for the IVLP exchange, 91���� reaffirmed its global role as an institution dedicated to leadership in service and scholarship. The exchange strengthened relationships with partner nations and provided 91���� students, future leaders themselves, with the opportunity to engage directly with senior military educators shaping defense policy and practice around the world.

As the day concluded, the attendees expressed appreciation for 91����’s hospitality and continued partnership. The Peace and War Center, together with the Vermont Council on World Affairs, demonstrated how a small university in Vermont continues to influence global dialogues on security, leadership, and peace.

In an age defined by complex global challenges, 91����’s legacy of preparing leaders who will “act as well as think” remains as vital as ever, anchoring its place not only in American military education but in the shared pursuit of a safer world.