American Enterprise Institute’s Summer Honors Program

This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the American Enterprise Institute’s Summer Honors Program—an intensive, seminar-style experience that brings students together with leading scholar. My cohort was a group of peers examining the strategic questions and particulars of U.S. Defense Policy that define the United States’ role as a global leader.

Under the guidance of Senior Fellow Mackenzie Eaglen and Dustin Walker, my team examined everything from long-term force planning and modernization to congressional dynamics, alliance structures, and the shifting demands of great-power competition. The conversations were challenging in the best way: equal parts policy analysis, theoretical grounding, and forward-looking debate.

Being inducted into AEI’s Collegiate Network added another layer to the experience, connecting me with students across the country who share an interest in public policy and rigorous, ideas-driven scholarship. More than anything, the program gave me a clearer sense of how national security decisions are made—and the trade-offs and human consequences behind them.

My time at AEI was one of my most formative academic experiences thus far- and left me with an even deeper eagerness to continue exploring the complexities of defense and security policy in both my studies and future work.