East Carolina University
09/12/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 09/12/2024 12:58
ECU professor attends leadership symposium, forges bonds between ECU ROTC, criminal justice
ECU professor attends leadership symposium, forges bonds between ECU ROTC, criminal justice
Published Sep 12, 2024 by
Dr. Heidi Bonner, East Carolina University professor and chair of the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, had the unique opportunity to participate in the United States Army Cadet Summer Training (CST) Leadership Symposium in Fort Knox, Kentucky, from July 14-20. Bonner was nominated for the "Centers of Influence Cadet Summer Training" symposium by Lt. Col. Joshua Aeschliman, retired adjunct professor of military science for ECU's Army ROTC housed in the College of Health and Human Performance.
The symposium gives representatives from various schools and universities a better understanding of ROTC training and the benefits they receive. Participants of the symposium are representing Centers of Influence (COI), which are universities and companies the U.S. Army deems influential in the lives of youth and who are beneficial in reaching out to and recruiting potential cadets.
Bonner and leaders from other universities hear about safety before gearing up for their 50-foot rappelling adventure.
"The selection process is competitive, and I was thrilled to represent educators from across the country at the annual symposium," Bonner said. "I had a great time engaging with other educational leaders from across the country, including some new friends from Appalachian State University and Elizabeth City State University, and learning more about the leadership opportunities offered by ROTC."
Bonner rappelled from a 50-foot tower during her time at the leadership symposium.
Bonner said the symposium is designed to promote an understanding of the leadership development process used to transform Army ROTC cadets into future leaders. In addition to networking with other leaders in education, business and government, Bonner participated in the following:
- Small group breakout discussions with Army leadership about key issues facing American youth and young adults.
- Leadership panels that provided an in-depth look at the Army career development model.
- Meeting cadets and soldiers to learn how the Army's educational and training programs are helping them achieve their personal goals.
- Physical team-building opportunities that included rappelling from a 50-foot tower, and a tandem parachute jump with the Golden Knights.
According to Bonner, the goal for participants attending the COI's leadership symposium - who are often directly involved in recruiting Army ROTC cadets - is to gain the knowledge necessary to bridge the divide of misunderstanding between the military and the civilian world.
"Cadet Summer Training is considered the Army's largest annual training event," Bonner said. "For 100 days, more than 10,000 cadets from more than 900 colleges participate in basic or advanced camps in preparation for future leadership. Completion of advanced camp (provided after their junior year of college) is required for cadets to be commissioned as an Army second lieutenant."
Bonner said there are 21 criminal justice and criminology majors in ECU ROTC - roughly half of all cadets - including three of the five new lieutenants commissioned this summer.
"Our department has not historically had an active partnership with ECU ROTC," she said. "I hope to change that moving forward and have already taken some steps, including touring the facilities at Christenbury, attending the August ECU commissioning ceremony and featuring alums of the Bachelor of Science in criminal justice and criminology (BSCJ) who have military backgrounds."
"I look forward to fostering a deeper partnership with ECU ROTC this year, showing the strong connection BSCJ students have with ROTC and helping amplify opportunities that exist for students. I want more students to know the opportunities ROTC provides, including tuition-free college, leadership development and numerous transferable skills once they complete their required service commitment," she said.
Bonner said ROTC is one of the largest scholarship-awarding organizations in the world.
"The leadership training and professional development opportunities they provide mean our students and former Army ROTC cadets are well-positioned to transition to leadership positions in civilian life," she said.
Bonner is seen here in front of one of the tanks at the Fort Knox Army base.