McConnell Center Celebrates the U.S. Army Strategic Broadening Seminar Class of 2025

By Kara Beth Poe

Louisville, Ky. (September 29, 2025) - After a month of rigorous leadership development and academic learning, the McConnell Center recently bid farewell to its 2025 U.S. Army Strategic Broadening Seminar (SBS) cohort.

This year’s cohort of Army soldiers arrived in Louisville on August 24 and spent the next several weeks participating in graduate-level discussions with local and national leaders, as well as McConnell Scholars at the University of Louisville. In a civilian academic setting, these soldiers studied philosophical concepts that are essential to confronting leadership challenges in the modern age. They also engaged with experts in national security and foreign policy, and seriously considered our Constitution and the oath they take to protect and defend it.

"It was a tremendous honor and privilege to serve these men and women over the past month,” said Meghan Waters, Director of External Education. “As the present and future leaders of the U.S. Army, it is my sincere hope these soldiers leave SBS with keys of wisdom that will continue to impact their personal and professional lives, as well as those around them."

Highlights of the soldiers' time with the McConnell Center include:

On-field recognition at the JMU v UofL football game
Recognition at the McConnell Center's annual Constitution Day Dinner
An intellectual weekend retreat at Natural Bridge State Resort Park
A culminating immersion experience in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.

The McConnell Center has partnered with the U.S. Army since 2014 to host SBS. In that time, we have served more than 250 of our men and women in uniform.

To learn more about SBS and the McConnell Center's other military education programs, visit https://louisville.edu/mcconnellcenter/civics/military.