Education

Practitioner Education

The security environment requires professionals who can advise decision-makers on policy options and appreciate the potential repercussions of their recommendations. This makes educating more thoughtful, critical, and empathetic practitioners an important aspect of the GNSI mission. In pursuit of this endeavor, GNSI is establishing a Professional Military Education (PME) Fellowship and a GNS Scholars Program to help nurture the type of practitioner needed to operate in a complex security environment.

Middle aged male student learning in a university classroom


The GNSI Fellowship will prepare the next generation of strategic leaders to analyze and lead within a global security environment shaped by strategic competition. Fellows will have several education, research and networking opportunities with experts from academia, industry, and government during the biannual GNSI Tampa Summit, featuring the Great Power Competition Conference (GPC), the annual St. Petersburg Conference on World Affairs (SPCWA), and various other events. Upon selection, the incoming GNSI Fellow will work with the GNSI Academic Director to develop a tailored fellowship experience focused on the fellow’s academic and professional needs.  GNSI will welcome its first PME fellow in the fall of 2025.

 

 

Middle aged woman studying a digital display in a laboratory

The GNSI Scholars Program will consist of military and other national security professionals who are pursuing the one-year Master of Arts in International Affairs through the USF School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies.  These practitioner-scholars will not only benefit from a world-class education with USF faculty but will have access to other GNSI events, research, and networking opportunities.  GNSI will welcome its first GNS Scholars in the fall of 2025.

 

 





Middle aged woman listening intently to instructor

International Students: Diversity of thought, background, and experience is an important part of any education. GNSI Fellows and Scholars benefit from a diverse USF community and GNSI seeks to contribute to this diversity by bringing security practitioners from U.S. partner nations into its programs. This population will not only enrich GNSI’s programs, but USF’s overall campus dynamic.  Anticipated first class for International Students in 2026 (AY 2027).

PARTNERING WITH PME:

Appreciating that educating practitioners requires a continuing and integrated approach, GNSI seeks to collaborate with Professional Military Education Institutions in the United States and abroad. This will enable GNSI to maintain insight into the specific needs and expectations that the U.S. and partner nations have for their practitioners. This collaboration will help ensure GNSI’s programs are part of a life-long educational approach focused on complementing and not competing with other PME programs; all for the benefit of the individual, institution, and security environment.  

 

Dr. David Oakley, Academic Director of GNSI


For More Information on the GNSI Fellowship, Scholars Program or academic collaboration with GNSI, please contact:
Dr. David Oakley, GNSI Academic Director
davidpoakley@usf.edu    //      813-974-0124