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The University of North Georgia’s annual Strategic and Security Studies Symposium examined the role higher education plays within the context of national security interests. The theme for this year’s symposium was United States Higher Education & National Security. Cosponsored by ILSS, the College of Education, and the Strategic and Security Studies Program in collaboration with the US Army War College, the Association of the United States Army, the Army Strategist Association, and the Atlanta Council on International Relations, the symposium brought together innovative thought leaders and experienced military personnel for some of the most engrossing discussions in our Symposium Proceedings Series yet.

As globalization has brought many positive developments, it has brought some incredible challenges. The world is constantly changing, and we can no longer afford to work in stovepipes. We therefore must deepen our partnership between higher education and the military and non-military elements of national security. The symposium highlighted the educated populace that provides a public and private good for American society, strengthening US military and non-military elements of national security. The US military is a vital component of the national security apparatus and there are numerous means where higher education plays a crucial role in assuring security. A close productive relationship between the US military and higher education is essential to its democratic way of life, and the current relationship is healthy but needs improvement.