CSU President selected for U.S. Army War College seminar

Stuart Rayfield continues to make history and help shine a light on Columbus State University. She is the first woman to lead CSU since its founding in 1958. Recently, she was also the first to represent the university at the 71st annual U.S. Army War College National Security Seminar.

The invitation-only National Security Seminar in June assembled civilian leaders representing various industries, including public health, higher education and science. Rayfield and other participants engaged directly with members of the War College’s resident class, which included senior military officers and government officials preparing for higher levels of national security leadership.

“Based on the level of thoughtfulness, strategic thinking, and leadership, I have a better appreciation of, and even higher confidence in, our military officers as well as our allies,” Rayfield said. “There were more than 70 international fellows in school there, in addition to U.S. Army leaders. I found people who were smart, thoughtful, and strategic—with a love for this country and this democracy in powerful ways.”

Seminar participants discussed national security issues, leadership, global affairs and the relationship between civilian institutions and the nation’s defense priorities. The seminar also provided an opportunity for civilian leaders to share perspectives from their professional fields while gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges facing national security leaders.

Rayfield’s invitation recognizes the significant role higher education leaders play in advancing national competitiveness, developing future leaders, and strengthening partnerships between universities, government, and industry.

It also reflects Columbus State’s track record as a military-friendly institution with deep connections to nearby Fort Benning, and as an educational partner that provides tailored enrollment services for active-duty soldiers, reservists, veterans, retirees, and their families through its Military-Connected Student Services, and credit toward graduate studies with the Army’s Captains Career Courses nationwide.

“It was a fascinating week,” Rayfield said. “It was an incredible intersection of history, present day, and future, and emphasized the importance of our allies for national security. We live in an extraordinarily complex world where straightforward, easy answers do not exist.”