Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., President St. John's University-New York | St. John's University-New York
Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., President St. John's University-New York | St. John's University-New York
Last fall, a student delegate attended the Student Conference on US Affairs (SCUSA) at the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point. SCUSA is an annual four-day event where students collaborate with scholars and practitioners to propose solutions to significant US foreign policy issues. It is recognized as the oldest and largest conference of its kind, drawing around 200 students from over 100 universities worldwide.
This year marked SCUSA's 75th anniversary with the theme “‘Securing the Blessings of Liberty’: American Foreign Policy in an Increasing Multipolar World.” The roundtable discussions included topics like “Multilateral Institutions under Multipolarity: from the UN to the WTO” and “How Multipolarity Affects Russia’s External and Domestic Behavior.” Notable attendees were John Kerry, former US Secretary of State; Lieutenant General Steven W. Gilland, superintendent of USMA; and Douglas R. Bush, Acting Assistant Secretary of the US Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology.
In one roundtable titled “Managing Conflict in the Arctic,” participants examined power conflicts in the Arctic region and diplomatic relations with Russia and NATO amid the Russo-Ukrainian War. Over two days, they engaged in detailed discussions with experts and developed a policy report presented to senior military leaders.
Participants found it impressive how each group formulated viable solutions to global challenges within a short timeframe. They gained insights into leadership roles through interactions during their stay at the academy.
The experience included living alongside cadets in their barracks for three days, providing firsthand exposure to their disciplined lifestyle. Attendees followed cadet schedules for meals and activities while observing campus life along the Hudson River.
Interactions extended beyond US cadets to include those from Poland, Greece, and Canada, fostering international friendships and knowledge exchange.
The delegate expressed gratitude towards St. John’s University Office of Global Programs for sponsoring participation in SCUSA. As a graduate student in Actuarial Science at The Peter J. Tobin College of Business, this opportunity was seen as transformative—turning an interest in world affairs into active engagement at a prestigious conference.
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