From February 13th-15th, three political science students participated in the 70th annual MSC Student Conference on National Affairs (MSC SCONA) at Texas A&M University. Trinity Sutherland, Antonio Romo, and Andrian Cornejo represented Texas State University in workshops to create policy papers on diverse national security topics such as domestic terrorism and conflict in the Indo-Pacific. Antonio Romo won 2nd place for policy proposals at his roundtable “The Rising Tide: Unifying American Partnerships in the Indo-Pacific to Counter Chinese Influence.”
All three students left College Station energized and enthusiastic about their experience. According to Trinity Sutherland: “My favorite part of the experience was probably getting to learn so much during our roundtable discussions. I walked away with so much more knowledge on my topic. I also really enjoyed getting to learn how to write an official policy paper, and I am definitely planning on utilizing that skill in school and in my profession.”
Beginning in 1956, The MSC Student Conference on National Affairs (MSC SCONA) is an annual conference at Texas A&M University. Approximately 150 delegates representing universities across the United States, the Federal Service Academies, and the six United States Senior Military Colleges gather each February to hear speakers and participate in roundtable focusing on the role of the United States in the global community. This year’s theme was “World in Flames: Guiding America Through a New Era of Conflict.” This year’s speakers included:
- General Charles Q. Brown, Jr. – Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
- Lieutenant General Melvin Carter – Deputy Commandant, Information United States Marine Corps
- General Anthony J. Cotton – Commander, United States Strategic Command
- Teresa L. Smetzer – CEO of Smetzer Associates LLC and Operating Partner at BOKA Capital
- John Sherman ’92 – Dean of Bush School of Government and Public Service
